Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network - GAIN

09/09/2026

At this pivotal moment for our organization, Georgia Asylum & Immigration Network (GAIN) is thrilled to welcome our new Director of Development, Alexis Torres, to the team. Alexis brings more than a decade of experience advancing missions ranging from environmental sustainability and early childhood education to disability services. She is known for her collaborative approach to leadership and her ability to build genuine, lasting relationships with donors, colleagues, and community partners.

Please join us in welcoming Alexis to the GAIN team and hear from her directly in our latest blog post:

GAIN welcomes new Director of Development, Alexis Torres Atlanta, GA—August 26, 2026 At this pivotal moment for our organization, Georgia Asylum & Immigration Network (GAIN) is thrilled to welcome our new Director of Development, Alexis Torres, to the team. Alexis brings more than a decade of expe...

08/24/2026

We’re proud to celebrate GAIN Staff Attorney, Katie Beno-Valencia, who has been selected as one of 30 attorneys in the Atlanta Bar Association Leadership Academy Class of 2026!

The Leadership Academy supports attorneys in developing their leadership skills and deepening their engagement with the Atlanta Bar, the legal profession, and the broader community.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to grow as a leader in the Atlanta Bar Association and excited to learn and serve alongside other leaders in our community,” Katie shared. “I hope to meaningfully contribute through my passion for public interest law and my experience working with immigrant survivors of crime and persecution.”

We’re excited to see Katie bring her dedication to public service and her commitment to immigrant survivors into this new leadership opportunity. Please join us in congratulating Katie! 🎉👏

08/14/2026

The right to asylum: death by a thousand cuts.

One rule change may sound technical. One new fee may seem procedural. One change to how cases are processed may appear administrative. But together, these changes are making it increasingly difficult for people fleeing persecution to access the protection they are entitled to under U.S. law.

GAIN’s Director of Legal Services, Adriana Heffley, spoke with Emily Wu Pearson of WABE News about a new federal rule that could move more asylum applications directly into immigration court—where Georgia asylum seekers already face some of the lowest approval rates in the country.

Adriana shared: “This change means that suddenly, countless asylum seekers who’ve been following lawful pathways for years, complying with dizzying waves of new fees and requirements, who were guaranteed the opportunity to make their case in front of a neutral factfinder, will be dumped into a system where they will almost certainly lose their cases.”

Read the full story from WABE at:

The Trump Administration plans to send some asylum cases directly to immigration courts instead of processing them through interviews.

08/05/2026

Georgia Asylum & Immigration Network (GAIN) is pleased to welcome eight new members to our Board of Directors. At a time when organizations serving immigrant communities are being asked to navigate unprecedented challenges while meeting growing needs, we are especially grateful to welcome leaders who bring not only deep professional expertise, but also fresh perspectives, thoughtful leadership, and a genuine commitment to our mission.

Please join us in welcoming Lina, Sarah, Josh, Juliana, Paul, David, Patrick, and Saher to the GAIN Board of Directors and learn more about each of them in our latest blog post:

GAIN welcomes eight new members to Board of Directors Atlanta, GA—July 31, 2026 Georgia Asylum & Immigration Network (GAIN) is pleased to welcome eight new members to our Board of Directors. At a time when organizations serving immigrant communities are being asked to navigate unprecedented challe...

07/17/2026

Georgia Asylum & Immigration Network (GAIN) is honored to announce we have received the 2026 Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), specifically highlighting the immense efforts behind our innovative Court Watch program. This national recognition is especially meaningful to our team as it comes at a time when the value of this work—and the humanity of the people at its center—is being questioned at every turn.

Read the full story at:

GAIN honored with AILA 2026 Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award Atlanta, GA—June 23, 2026 Georgia Asylum & Immigration Network (GAIN) is honored to announce we have received the 2026 Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), specifically hi...

06/26/2026

Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued two significant immigration decisions—one affecting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and the other affecting access to asylum. Together, they strip away vital legal protections that immigrant survivors of violence and persecution have relied upon for decades to provide safety and stability as they attempt to rebuild their lives in the U.S.

For the families we serve, these decisions are not abstract legal developments. They create new fears and uncertainty, raise difficult questions about the future, and underscore the importance of having access to trusted legal guidance.

GAIN stands by the message we send to our clients in every update email: you are wanted, you are welcome, and you deserve to be safe and free. Despite these obstacles, we will continue helping our immigrant neighbors to understand their options and navigate this ever-evolving legal system.

06/24/2026

Join our team! GAIN is currently seeking a passionate and collaborative Client Care Program Coordinator to enhance our ability to provide holistic support to immigrant survivors of crime and persecution through the recruiting, training, and management of dedicated volunteers.

Bilingual English/Spanish is highly preferred.

Please share with anyone who may be interested or tag a qualified candidate in the comments!

Find the full position description and how to apply at: https://bit.ly/GAINCareers

06/19/2026

"’I believe what we're seeing now is the inevitable result of forcing judges to order immigrants deported to third countries that have not agreed to accept them,’ said Adriana Heffley, the legal director of the Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network. ‘There are thousands of people now with deportation orders that cannot be carried out.’"

GAIN’s Director of Legal Services, Adriana Heffley, spoke to CBS News about the thousands of immigrants detained indefinitely under increasingly inhumane conditions as a result of recent directives forcing judges to order asylum seekers deported to third countries.

The GAIN team has recently observed attempts to deport our asylum seeker clients to random third countries where they would almost certainly come to harm. Not only does this practice waste public resources and create chaos, it shows a complete disregard towards freedom and safety for individuals exercising their legal right to seek asylum in the U.S.

Read the full article from CBS News at:

More than 12,000 people gave up their asylum claims or voluntarily departed the U.S. as ICE moved to cut cases short by sending asylum-seekers to third countries, a CBS News analysis found.

06/08/2026

It’s hard to believe that a month has already passed since Taste of the World. And yet, we are still reflecting on—and incredibly grateful for—the energy, excitement, and outpouring of support that filled the room that evening.

More than 300 members of the GAIN community came together to raise over $400,000 in support of our work and the people we serve. The evening was filled with old friends, new connections, meaningful conversations, and so many small moments that reminded us why community matters so much—now more than ever before.

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, volunteered, donated, sponsored, or simply chose to spend your Friday evening with us. You are all now part of GAIN’s story too, and we hope you’ll continue to stay engaged with us as we carry this work forward together!

Be sure to check out our full photo album from the event here: https://bit.ly/TastePhotos2026

Photography generously donated by Sarah Keith, Atlanta School of Photography

05/05/2026

This Friday is GAIN’s annual event, Taste of the World, and our exclusive silent auction is now live! You don’t have to attend the event to bid or win, anyone can participate and bid on 50+ incredible packages and experiences.

To get started, register and start bidding here: https://bit.ly/TasteSilentAuction26

All auction proceeds directly support GAIN and our mission to protect and empower immigrant survivors of crime and persecution.

Swipe for just a preview of some of the amazing experiences available—happy bidding, everyone!