News

Misinformation is a liability. In the high-stakes environment of U.S. immigration law, believing a rumor can have terrible consequences for an individual’s legal status. At the Southwest Detroit Immigrant and Refugee Center (SWIRC), we are seeing an unprecedented surge in confusion regarding the asylum process. To combat this, our Legal Director, Alex Vernon, has identified some of the most dangerous

In December 2025, Hector was doing everything right. He was a delivery driver in Detroit with a valid work permit through 2030, but his life was suddenly interrupted when he was taken into federal detention. While the system told his family to simply wait for an administrative backlog to clear, his partner, Andrea, chose a different path. Andrea is not

A Quiet Day Fishing has Two Brothers Caught in a DNR Trap What began as a quiet afternoon of fishing on the Manistee River quickly escalated into a 110 day nightmare for a local father and community mechanic and his brother. Their case highlights a deeply concerning pattern of coordinated, targeted operations that funnel community members into prolonged detention without

SWIRC celebrates another release from detention. In the bustling suburbs of Detroit, brothers Javier and Diego had built quiet, hardworking lives after fleeing instability in Venezuela. To their neighbors and coworkers at Whole Foods and Amazon Flex, they were simply “the favorites”—reliable, polite, and deeply devoted to their families. But despite their valid work permits and protected status, the brothers

At SWIRC, our work is made possible by a community of supporters whose own stories are deeply connected to the immigrant experience. From family histories shaped by migration to personal encounters with resilience and belonging, these stories are a powerful reminder of why this work matters Immigration has always been central to the United States. Generations of newcomers have helped

It takes minutes to cross a border, but years to navigate the legal system. Here is what that journey actually looks like for our neighbors in Southwest Detroit. (abajo en español) The Common Misconception When we see news about immigration, we often see images of borders, airports, or buses. It gives the impression that the “journey” ends the moment a

An asylum victory reminds us why hope, courage, and community matter. In 2018, Nicaragua descended into turmoil as peaceful protests for democracy were met with government violence. Among those who courageously stood up for change was the Arce family, small business owners from Managua who supported university students during the demonstrations by providing food, first aid, and hope amid repression.

This fall, the Southwest Detroit Immigrant and Refugee Center (SWIRC) is celebrating a big milestone—we’ve helped more than 25,000 clients since 2015! That’s 25,000 people who have walked through our doors with questions, worries, and hopes for a brighter future. And we’re honored to have been part of their journey. Day after day, our team and volunteers work hard to

Earlier this year we accompanied Muhanad to his asylum interview in Chicago

We’re so excited for Carlos, who now has the chance to remain in the United States without the pressing fear of being returned home!