* A nonprofit program accredited to the U.S. Justice Department Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), providing legal assistance and counseling to low and moderate income immigrants, regardless of their legal status,

* A panel of more than 200 pro bono attorneys and 50 interpreters providing complete legal representation for asylum seekers throughout the Midwest. Together, volunteers assist more than 100 asylum applicants yearly, winning two-thirds of their cases,

* A full staff of attorneys and BIA-accredited counselors providing comprehensive immigration-related legal services,

* A public advocate for the legal rights of immigrants and refugees,

* A resource for other immigration service providers in areas of legal consultation and technical support, and

* An educational entity providing presentations on immigration and related issues to community groups, social service agencies, and other organizations.

MIRC assists low and moderate income immigrants in the Chicago area and throughout the Midwest.

MIRC has no restrictions based on current immigration status or place of residence.

MIRC assists clients regardless of nationality; clients have come from more than 30 countries around the world.

MIRC services include

* Visa Processing

MIRC staff speak Spanish and English, and interpreter services for 14 other languages can be obtained with advance notice. Clients are charged modest fees on a sliding scale, based on income. Fees may be waived in certain circumstances.

All legal services are provided by appointment only. To request assistance, call the MIRC intake line at (312) 629-1960. The intake line is staffed by trained, bilingual legal counselors who can answer questions, respond to assistance requests, or refer calls to private attorneys and other agencies as appropriate. All calls are confidential.