MINNEAPOLIS – John Medeiros and the Faith-Based Working Group he chairs have been named 2025 Pro Bono Champions by the Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). The award celebrates their exceptional commitment to justice for underserved immigrant communities through innovative legal advocacy rooted in faith-based solidarity.

At a time of unprecedented challenges for immigrants, Medeiros and the Working Group have pioneered initiatives equipping places of worship as safe havens. Their work spans delivering tailored legal resources to congregations across Minnesota, the Dakotas, and national religious networks, alongside leading trainings on the sanctuary movement’s legal framework.

AILA’s official announcement hailed their “courageous, compassionate, and unrelenting” model for bridging law and spiritual community service. By providing critical risk assessments, legal clarity, and advocacy tools, the group has empowered congregations to become educators and protectors for vulnerable immigrants.

“This recognition reflects our shared mission to provide congregations with the information and tools needed to help them discern their role in welcoming the stranger, as guided by their faith,” said Medeiros. “By grounding legal expertise in community solidarity, we’ve helped congregations offer not just refuge, but lasting justice.”

The Faith-Based Working Group collaborates with advocacy organizations to amplify its impact, creating scalable frameworks for nationwide faith-based immigrant support.