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National Immigration Law Center

EIN 95-4539765 · Los Angeles, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ESTABLISHED IN 1979, THE NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER (NILC) IS THE LEADING NATIONAL LEGAL ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION IN THE U.S. EXCLUSIVELY DEDICATED TO DEFENDING AND ADVANCING THE RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF THE MOST VULNERABLE IMMIGRANTS AND THEIR LOVED ONES.

Income
$23.0 million
Spending
$17.0 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
13.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
84
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$369,220, president and ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $4.7 million spent. LAW AND POLICY: DURING THIS PERIOD, THE NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER'S (NILC) LAW AND POLICY TEAM CHALLENGED UNJUST LAWS JEOPARDIZING THE RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES AND ADVOCATED FOR POLICY SOLUTIONS. AFTER IMMIGRATION-RELATED EXECUTIVE ORDERS ISSUED IN JANUARY 2025, NILC STAFF PRODUCED AND DISSEMINATED EXPLAINERS AND KNOW-YOUR-RIGHTS (KYR) MATERIALS TO INFORM ADVOCATES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF POLICY CHANGES AND WAYS TO RESPOND. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KEY ALLIES, NILC HIGHLIGHTED THE HARMS OF A FEDERAL SPENDING PROPOSAL DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR MASS DEPORTATION EFFORTS WHILE SLASHING CRITICAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS. NILC'S LITIGATION TEAM FILED SEVERAL LAWSUITS, INCLUDING ONE TO CHALLENGE A NEW REGISTRATION RULE REQUIRING UNDOCUMENTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO DID NOT ENTER THE COUNTRY WITH A VISA TO REGISTER WITH THE GOVERNMENT OR FACE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. THE TEAM HELPED ADVOCATES PREPARE FOR THE 5TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS HEARING IN THE TEXAS CASE CHALLENGING THE LEGALITY OF THE DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVAL PROGRAM. STAFF CONTINUED PROMOTING THE IMPORTANCE OF A PERMANENT POLICY SOLUTION FOR YOUNG IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE AMERICAN IN EVERY WAY BUT ON PAPER. NILC WAS AT THE FOREFRONT OF RESPONDING TO THE RESCISSION OF A LONG-STANDING POLICY PREVENTING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IN "PROTECTED AREAS LIKE HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS, AND CHURCHES. AND AFTER MIGRANTS WERE REMOVED FROM THE U.S. AND SENT TO EL SALVADOR'S NOTORIOUS CECOT PRISON, THE TEAM CREATED A LEGAL EXPLAINER FOR FAMILIES, PRODUCED A MULTI-LINGUAL COMMUNITY RESOURCE ON LOCATING A LOVED ONE, AND PROVIDED TECHNICAL INFORMATION TO POLICYMAKERS SEEKING TO ADDRESS DETERIORATING CONDITIONS IN IMMIGRATION DETENTION FACILITIES.
  2. $3.4 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE ACTIVITIES RELATED TO NARRATIVE CHANGE, THE IMMIGRANT MOVEMENT VISIONING PROJECT, AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS. NARRATIVE CHANGE WORKS TO SHIFT HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH ART, STORYTELLING, AND CULTURE TO ADVANCE A JUST AND EQUITABLE SOCIETY. THE IMMIGRANT MOVEMENT VISIONING PROJECT ENGAGES DIVERSE IMMIGRANT JUSTICE LEADERS TO PLAN AND ARTICULATE A LONG-TERM VISION FOR THE IMMIGRANT MOVEMENT. THE STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ADVANCES STRATEGIC PRIORITIES WITH COMPELLING MESSAGES THAT REACH THEIR INTENDED AUDIENCES.
  3. $3.2 million spent. PARTNERSHIPS AND ADVOCACY: ONE OF NILC'S CORE PROGRAM STRATEGIES IS TO STRENGTHEN IMMIGRANT JUSTICE BY LEADING AND SUPPORTING COLLABORATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE FAIR IMMIGRATION REFORM MOVEMENT, THE IMMIGRANT MOVEMENT VISIONING PROJECT, AND OTHER SOCIAL JUSTICE PARTNERS. THROUGH THESE PARTNERSHIPS, NILC HELPS COORDINATE EFFORTS, SHARE KNOWLEDGE, DEVELOP JOINT STRATEGIES AROUND SHARED PRIORITIES AND GOALS, AND BUILD STRONG, EFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE MOVEMENT. NILC'S ADVOCACY EFFORTS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD ALSO REFLECTED THE ORGANIZATION'S COMMITMENT TO FORGING STRONG ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS. FOR EXAMPLE, SINCE ITS LAUNCH, MORE THAN 90 INFLUENTIAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE JOINED NILC'S EDUCATION FOR ALL CAMPAIGN FOCUSED ON PROTECTING THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN, REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS. AS PART OF ITS HEALTH FOR ALL CAMPAIGN, NILC LED A FOUR-PART SERIES OF WEBINARS FOCUSED ON IMPROVING COORDINATION AMONG PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS ON NAVIGATING NEW BARRIERS TO IMMIGRANTS' ABILITY TO ACCESS HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS, AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR IMMIGRANT CHILDREN AND PREGNANT PEOPLE. TO RESPOND TO INCREASED ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS TARGETING IMMIGRANT WORKERS, NILC COORDINATED WITH AN ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNER TO LAUNCH A SEVEN-PART WEBINAR SERIES COVERING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF WORKSITE RAIDS, CREATED A NATIONAL LISTSERV ON WORKSITE RAIDS RESPONSE, AND CO-CONVENED TWO NEW WORKING GROUPSONE FOCUSED ON PROTECTING IMMIGRANT WORKERS' ABILITY TO FIGHT FOR THEIR RIGHTS ON THE JOB, AND THE OTHER FOCUSED ON STRATEGIZING WITH WORKER CENTER ORGANIZERS TO SUPPORT IMMIGRANT WORKERS.
  4. $3.0 million spent. PROTECTING IMMIGRANT FAMILIES: PROTECTING IMMIGRANT FAMILIES (PIF) PROTECTED AND DEFENDED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, NUTRITION PROGRAMS, PUBLIC SERVICES, AND ECONOMIC SUPPORTS FOR IMMIGRANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS. AS OF DECEMBER 1, 2025, PIF BECAME A PROJECT OF NEW VENTURE FUND, ITS NEW FISCAL SPONSOR. PIF CEASED TO BE A PROGRAM OF NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER. PIF FOLLOWED ITS DONORS' INSTRUCTIONS TO EITHER RETURN FUND BALANCES OR TRANSFER BALANCES TO NEW VENTURE FUND. CONTACT PIFCOALITION.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1995.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.