Laws and public policies shape whether immigrant families can remain together, access essential services, understand their rights, and participate fully in our community. The Legal Clinic combines direct legal services with advocacy because helping one person at a time is essential, but lasting change also requires improving the systems that affect entire communities.

Working alongside immigrants, advocates, and community partners, TLC advances policies grounded in dignity, due process, and access to justice.

Advocacy

Report ICE Sightings on O‘ahu 

Hotline: 808-824-4707

Website

The O‘ahu Rapid Response Coalition (ORRC) is an all-volunteer organization. We educate the public about immigrant and observer rights, operate a hotline for the public to report activities by federal immigration enforcement agents, and document these activities to protect the public’s constitutional rights.

2026 Legislative Wins

During the 2026 legislative session, The Legal Clinic joined the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights (HCIR), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Hawaiʻi, and advocates across the state to advance six bills protecting due process, support crime survivors, protect access to essential services and sensitive community spaces, and expand language access. Governor Josh Green signed all six measures into law.

  • Act 141 (SB2057) - limiting state and county law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement;

  • Act 142  (HB1838)- establishing statewide standards for the issuance of U and T visa certifications, and requiring the Attorney General to provide training for state and county certifying officials;

  • Act 143 (HB1548) - reducing the sentencing cap for nonviolent misdemeanors to 364 days to prevent disproportionate immigration consequences;

  • Act 161 (HB1839) - requiring notification of rights for persons in state or county custody before any federal civil immigration enforcement interview;

  • Act 162 (HB1870)- requiring state and county agencies that operate protected community locations to adopt policies limiting cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement, and directing the Attorney General to publish model policies; and

  • Act 179 (SB3238) - establishing a language access education and workforce development program at the University of Hawai'i.

Passing a law is only the beginning. Sign up for updates about implementation, community education, action alerts, testimony opportunities, future legislative priorities, and other ways to take action.

The Advocacy Committee

Our volunteer-led Advocacy Committee helps identify policy priorities, review proposed legislation, coordinate testimony, and connect lessons from TLC’s legal services with broader efforts to improve laws and public systems. The committee includes community advocates and professionals committed to immigrant justice.

Current members of the Advocacy Committee include:

- Amefil Agbayani, Chair and TLC Board President

- Liiza Ryan Gill, Executive Director, Hawai’i Coalition for Immigrant Rights and TLC Board Member

- Kevin Block, Attorney, Maui Immigration Law and TLC Board Member

- Leilani Stacy, Immigrant Rights Attorney, ACLU of Hawai’i

- Danicole Ramos, Attorney, University of Hawai’i Refugee & Immigration Law Clinic

- Joey Badua, Attorney, Hawai’i Civil Rights Commission

- Rev. Won-Seok Yuh, First United Methodist Church

TLC Networks and Partners

Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights (HCIR)

TLC is part of this statewide coalition of nonprofits, county agencies, and others who serve immigrants and migrants from the nations comprising the Compact of Free Association (COFA), and advocates for fair policies and resources. HCIR and TLC collaborate closely with several of our U.S. congressional delegates and with State legislators, such as those who form the Filipino Legislative Caucus, to craft and support pro-immigrant bills. For more information, visit the HCIR website. 

National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA)

Vera Institute of Justice / SAFE Network

TLC is also a member of the NPNA network, one of the largest and most respected immigrant advocacy organizations in the United States. NPNA provides technical training on citizenship requirements, Department of Justice (DOJ) accreditation of legal assistants, and advocacy-related matters.

TLC has joined NPNA and the Vera Institute of Justice in advocating for Universal Representation. The goal of this federal legislative campaign is to “guarantee the universal right to legal representation for individuals whose life, liberty, or ties to the community are at risk in the immigration system”. For more information, visit the campaign website.