Advancing Immigrant Rights in the Lowcountry The Lowcountry Immigration Coalition advocates for fair immigration reform, defends the civil and human rights of immigrants, and fosters an inclusive community in Beaufort and Jasper Counties, South Carolina. Founded in 2010 by Eric Esquivel and George Kanuck, LIC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving the immigrant community of South Carolina's Lowcountry region. Sources: https://lowcountryimmigrationcoalition.com/ | https://lowcountryimmigrationcoalition.com/about | https://lowcountryimmigrationcoalition.com/advocacy ^^ Submitter's Note: This StratML Part 1 plan was compiled from the source by Claude.ai and edited in the form at https://stratml.us/forms/Claude/Part1.html Lowcountry Immigration Coalition LIC b3f1a2c4-7e08-4d91-b5f6-3a9e2d1c0f47 A grassroots 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to immigration reform, advocacy for immigrant civil and human rights, and fostering an inclusive community in Beaufort and Jasper Counties, South Carolina. Currently chaired by Aimee Deverall and co-chaired by Lynne Nordenberg, with a 25-member Board of Directors. Contact: LCImmigrationCoalition@gmail.com | https://lowcountryimmigrationcoalition.com/ Immigrant Residents of Beaufort and Jasper Counties Latino and other immigrant families residing in the Lowcountry who are the primary beneficiaries of LIC's advocacy, legal support, education, and resource services. LIC Volunteers and Board of Directors The 25-member Board of Directors and broader volunteer base who govern, fundraise for, and operate all LIC programs and advocacy activities without personal economic compensation. Donors and Supporters Individuals and organizations that contribute financially to LIC, enabling production of bilingual resources, community events, and advocacy activities. Eric Esquivel Co-Founder George Kanuck Co-Founder Aimee Deverall Co-Chair Lynne Nordenberg Co-Chair A Lowcountry where all immigrants are treated with dignity, enjoy equal protection under the law, and can fully participate in community life free from fear of discrimination or unjust deportation. e7c4d9a1-2b35-4f18-9c67-8d0f5e3b1a92 To empower immigrants, defend their civil and human rights, advocate for fair immigration reform, and build an inclusive community in Beaufort and Jasper Counties, South Carolina, through legal support, education, community events, and resource networks. f2a8b3c5-6d14-4e79-a031-5c7f9e2d4b68 Human Dignity Every person, regardless of immigration status, possesses inherent dignity and is entitled to fair and respectful treatment under the law. Equity and Justice LIC is committed to equal protection and equitable treatment for all community members, opposing discriminatory policies and practices at every level of government. Community Inclusive, caring community is built through relationships across cultural lines, mutual support, and shared responsibility for one another's wellbeing. Volunteerism LIC's work is sustained by volunteer commitment; founders and leaders serve without personal economic benefit, modeling civic dedication. Rights Defend the civil and human rights of immigrants in Beaufort and Jasper Counties through direct advocacy, legal support, and community organizing, preventing discriminatory practices and unjust enforcement actions. b6082faa-b326-42fc-86b1-4cdf3b9f7e29 1 Immigrant Residents at Legal Risk Immigrants facing deportation proceedings, unjust detention, discriminatory enforcement, or denial of legal rights in Beaufort and Jasper Counties. Local and State Government Officials County councils, law enforcement agencies, and state legislators whose policies and practices directly affect immigrant rights and safety in the Lowcountry. Rooted in LIC's documented interventions: halting unlawful police checkpoints in Jasper County (2009–2010); defending Latino residents' right to pay vehicle taxes without a driver's license (2010); opposing SC Senate Bill SB20 (modeled on Arizona SB-1070), with court protection achieved in 2012; and filing an Amicus Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting DAPA/DACA executive orders protecting up to 5 million Hispanics from deportation. Legal Resources Connect immigrants facing legal challenges — including deportation risk, unlawful detention, and discriminatory enforcement — with legal resources, referrals, and representation so they can understand and exercise their rights. 3ba63dea-2cb3-4ef0-8851-b47c66b2d81b 1.1 Immigrants Facing Legal Challenges Individuals and families navigating immigration courts, enforcement actions, or civil rights violations who require legal guidance, referrals, or representation. Reflects the Legal Support pillar on the Advocacy page and historical interventions including defense against towing fraud and support during the 2010 Preston Oates murder trial involving community member Carlos Olivera. Policy Monitor, oppose, and seek legal remedies against local, state, and federal policies that threaten the rights or safety of immigrants in the Lowcountry, including filing amicus briefs and coordinating with allied organizations. 8176001f-b8f4-4fee-9f2a-61aaa62754b0 1.2 Allied Community Organizations Faith communities, legal aid organizations, civic groups, and other nonprofits that partner with LIC to advance immigrant rights and provide coordinated support services in the Lowcountry. Examples include successful opposition to impacts of Beaufort County's 2006 Employment Ordinance, SC SB20 (2012 court victory), and U.S. Supreme Court Amicus Brief participation in DAPA/DACA proceedings. Accountability Expose and address unethical or unlawful practices targeting immigrants — including exploitative towing, discriminatory tax enforcement, and unjustified police checkpoints — through public advocacy, legal action, and media engagement. d678d0c9-83e1-48c4-8e8b-f660e2bdca18 1.3 Grounded in documented LIC actions: preventing Beaufort County Treasury from denying vehicle tax payment rights (2010); exposing unethical towing practices; preventing warrantless police checkpoints in Jasper County Latino communities (2009–2010). Empowerment Strengthen the immigrant community's capacity to navigate challenges, access services, and participate fully in civic life through education, resource provision, family preparedness, and scholarship support. 6b09c211-da29-432d-be0b-a5431af82c1c 2 Immigrant Families in Beaufort and Jasper Counties Latino and other immigrant households seeking education about their rights, family preparedness planning, and connections to local services and resources. Graduating Immigrant Students High school seniors from immigrant families in the Lowcountry eligible to apply for the Maria Guadalupe Cortes Vega Scholarship to pursue post-secondary education. Education Offer workshops, presentations, and public forums to raise awareness of immigrant rights, legal protections, and available services in English and Spanish, reaching immigrants in churches, community centers, and public venues across Beaufort and Jasper Counties. de4c964f-59a5-42ca-adc7-6bb572b776df 2.1 Reflects the Education Programs pillar on the Advocacy page and LIC's long history of conducting bilingual workshops and church/public forum presentations documented on the About page. Preparedness Equip families with documentation plans and guidance to protect minor children and preserve family unity in the event of a parent's detention or deportation. d7d523c1-2626-4813-a80a-04a585a785c2 2.2 Directly references LIC's Family Plan workshops conducted 2009–2011, designed to help parents provide necessary documentation to protect minor children in the case of deportation. Network Maintain and expand a network connecting immigrants to vital services — including legal aid, health, housing, and social services — through bilingual informational materials, community events, and direct referrals. e74f1d28-a029-4256-88eb-532db7466520 2.3 Reflects the Resource Network pillar on the Advocacy page and the broader Resources section of the LIC website covering legal rights, local services, and community events in English and Spanish. Scholarships Provide post-secondary educational scholarships to graduating immigrant students, honoring community members and investing in the next generation of immigrant leaders in the Lowcountry. d62f5e2b-0916-49d3-8d08-ede1b80e0993 2.4 Maria Guadalupe Cortes Vega Scholarship Applicants Graduating high school seniors from the Lowcountry immigrant community applying for post-secondary educational support through the inaugural LIC scholarship (application deadline May 8, 2026). Reflects the inaugural Maria Guadalupe Cortes Vega Scholarship announced on the LIC homepage. The scholarship honors Ms. Cortes Vega's legacy by supporting a graduating senior pursuing higher education. Application deadline: May 8, 2026. Bilingual applications available in English and Spanish. Inclusiveness Foster mutual understanding, belonging, and solidarity between immigrant and non-immigrant residents of the Lowcountry through events, communications, volunteer engagement, and coalition building. dcc17508-0ce9-4f0c-be56-688a778a7c32 3 Lowcountry General Public Non-immigrant residents, faith communities, civic organizations, and local media audiences in Beaufort and Jasper Counties whose understanding of and engagement with immigrant neighbors LIC seeks to cultivate. LIC Volunteers Individuals who contribute time and skills to LIC's programs, events, and advocacy, sustaining the coalition's volunteer-driven organizational model. Events Host and participate in community gatherings that celebrate immigrant culture, build relationships across communities, and create shared understanding of immigration issues among Lowcountry residents. bb2ede5e-69d8-4201-b427-ea0f924efd56 3.1 Reflects the Community Events pillar on the Advocacy page: "Hosting gatherings to foster understanding and support for immigrants." Volunteers Recruit, coordinate, and retain volunteers who contribute time, skills, and advocacy on behalf of the immigrant community, sustaining LIC's volunteer-driven organizational model. 67a4f0c9-1339-49b0-85c0-3738b60f8910 3.2 LIC was founded on and continues to operate through volunteer leadership; founders Eric Esquivel and George Kanuck served without personal economic compensation. The About page notes: "We do all this thanks to the support of our many volunteers." Communication Utilize media, social platforms, bilingual newsletters, and public forums to inform the broader community about immigration issues, LIC activities, and opportunities to support immigrant neighbors in the Lowcountry. 49891654-0b2d-4a67-b4d5-dd69fc86649c 3.3 Reflects LIC's use of local media, Facebook, bilingual email newsletter, and community outreach documented throughout the website. The homepage invites subscribers to "Stay Updated and Stand for Immigration Justice." Partnerships Collaborate with allied organizations — including legal, faith-based, civic, and governmental entities — to amplify advocacy impact and coordinate resources for the immigrant community. c7578ad1-7cfe-4d89-bc4c-467226227f9f 3.4 Allied Advocacy and Legal Organizations Partner organizations that collaborated with LIC on legislative opposition to SC SB20, DAPA/DACA Amicus Brief filings, and ongoing coordination of legal and social services for the Lowcountry immigrant community. Reflected in LIC's historical collaboration with other community organizations opposing SB20 and in multi-organization participation in the DAPA/DACA Amicus Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court. 2010-12-31 2026-06-06 https://lowcountryimmigrationcoalition.com/ Owen Ambur Owen.Ambur@verizon.net