You may have seen the news of big changes at Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (IMMJ)–which some of you may remember is a successor organization to the longstanding United Methodist ministry called Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON). Collegiate Wesley has long been a supporter of the work JFON and now IMMJ have done with and for immigrants across Iowa.
This long relationship–and the deep need for support for our immigrant neighbors in recent years–made it especially hard to read the news in July of steep cuts to IMMJ’s funding and, as a result, to their staff and the services they are able to provide. Here’s a link to the IMMJ press release on this subject.
Donna Vandehaar of our congregation has been part of the Ames immigration support work that has involved many of our folks. She shared this information with those Ames volunteers, and we thought it was important to share this info with our congregation as well. (See below.)
It’s worth noting that our Collegiate/Wesley Endowment Board and Byrne Endowment funds have been an important source of funds to IMMJ–and are part of what makes the continuation of the Ames legal clinics possible. God bless those who had the foresight to make those funds available, those who continue to support this important work, and those who carry out this important work among these individuals who are our neighbors.
July 9, 2026
Story County Immigration Legal Clinic Update
You have probably heard of recent losses in funding for Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, perhaps having read recent articles in the Des Moines Register and the Ames Tribune. Iowa MMJ has lost several large grants that supported a considerable amount of their legal assistance. The loss of so much revenue in such a short period of time has meant some changes at Iowa MMJ, although rest assured that the organization itself and its commitment to support and advocate for immigrants will continue.
These losses have led to the elimination of some legal staff positions and to rethinking strategies for their legal assistance programs. Some of their immigration legal clinics will have to restrict what kinds of legal support they are able to provide. HOWEVER, we want you all to know that, thanks to the regular and ongoing financial support of our very, very generous community, Story County immigration legal clinics will NOT be impacted by the staffing reductions and there will be NO CHANGES to Story County clinic offerings. You are likely hearing that the Iowa MMJ legal clinics are being cut back and will be serving fewer clients, but please know that will not be the case for the Story County clinics, at least as long as we are able to maintain the amazing funding support we have received since our inception.
This does underscore the importance of the funding the Story County clinics have received from some generous funding organizations and the continuing support of you—our community. We will be needing that support into the future.
We ask that you please help spread the word among your members and the community that the Story County clinics are still here and will continue to see the same number of clients and to support them at the same level as we have always done.
Meanwhile, we will all be hoping that Iowa MMJ is able to find new funding sources as we face the overwhelming attack on immigrants in our country and the challenges that legal services for immigrants face. We thank you for your ongoing support of the Story County clinics, and if it is within your ability, please consider supporting Iowa MMJ with a donation as well at this crucial time.
Susan Benner and Donna Vandehaar
