The Princeton-based Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund has been awarded a $10,000 joint grant by the Princeton Area Community Foundation and The Harbourton Foundation for its immigrant outreach programs.
LALDEF, founded in 2004, works to prevent civil and human rights violations, educate immigrants about their legal rights and civic responsibilities, and provides support for the Latino community to integrate into American society.
The grant will help fund LALDEF’s toll-free helpline 877-452-5333 which serves as a conduit for immigrants to report and seek help for victims of crime and abuse, obtain assistance in accessing services, request volunteer interpreters or drivers for medical appointments and court appearances and get referrals to qualified attorneys.
The funding will also be used to support LALDEF’s Bienvenida Program in partnership with Nassau Presbyterian Church which is donating office space. "Bienvenida" means "welcome" in Spanish.
LALDEF’s office in the basement of the church, at 61 Nassau St., is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. It helps immigrants obtain affordable legal counsel to adjust their immigration status, or apply for citizenship, if they qualify, or for any other legal problem. Bienvenida also assists with the filing of income taxes, in cooperation with the AARP Tax-Aide program. No appointment is necessary.
With these programs, through presentations to community groups and other education outreach, LALDEF seeks to increase the number of applicants obtaining citizenship or permanent resident status and reduce immigrant victimization and marginalization.

