In this emergency episode of The Banh Mi Chronicles Podcast, I’m joined by Mahdis Azimi, a Chicago-based immigration attorney working closely with clients who are facing deportation threats and uncertain legal status amid the current ICE raids in the city.
Mahdis sheds light on the rapidly changing immigration landscape, the fear and confusion facing undocumented and mixed-status families and legal status folks, and the urgent work being done by attorneys and advocates to defend their clients and communities.
We also discuss what local communities can do to support those feeling threatened and how solidarity and accurate information can be a powerful defense in times like these.
🎧 Listen to the full episode for her critical insights and practical guidance.
Please share widely — our neighbors’ safety depends on awareness and action.
Bio:
Mahdis Azimi is a proud Iranian-American based out of Chicago, Illinois. She founded her immigration law practice in 2019 and has been practicing law since 2015. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. In addition to her practice, Mahdis actively volunteers with several local organizations and is currently an Honors College instructor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
LinkedIn: Mahdis Azimi
Website: www.azimilaw.com
Email: mahdis@azimilaw.com
Relevant Links:
ICE Detainee Locator: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (“ICIRR”) Know Your Rights Cards: https://www.icirr.org/fsn
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (“ILRC”) Know Your Rights Cards: https://www.ilrc.org/community-resources/know-your-rights
Midwest Immigration Bond Fund:
https://www.mibfc.org
Executive Office for Immigration Review (“EOIR”) List of Pro Bono Legal Services Providers: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers
National Lawyers Guild Chicago: https://nlgchicago.org