Dear Friends of Legal Aid DC,

Over the course of 2025, we faced unprecedented attacks — on immigrants, the social safety net, our city, our profession, and the rule of law itself. There were moments where it wasn’t clear whether our communities would rally together or yield to a more grim reality.

But nearly a year in, I am proud that the District and the people who call it home have fought back. That spirit is especially alive here at Legal Aid. Buoyed by our supporters, my colleagues have been on the front lines, fighting for our clients.  

We fought for immigrants. This year, our immigration team — which we made a standalone unit last year — met with nearly 500 people to help them with their legal issues, 55% more than in 2024, and expanded the scope of our work. In October, for example, we filed a habeas petition in federal court to secure the release of a client who was detained by ICE despite his protected status. My colleagues then drove in the middle of the night to bring him back to his family in DC.  

We fought for the social safety net. In September, the District government decided to start winding down the Health Care Alliance program, and on October 1, thousands became ineligible to enroll or continue their coverage. In just a few weeks, our Public Benefits Unit staffed a clinic that signed up 230 DC residents for these critical health insurance benefits. And thanks to our policy advocacy, we secured funding that could slow cuts to the program.

We fought for our right to govern ourselves. We led the effort to file an amicus brief in a class action case challenging ICE’s warrantless arrest policy and joined another amicus brief in a successful challenge to the federal government’s illegal policy of deploying the National Guard in our city.  

Through all this, we didn’t lose sight of all our clients who rely on Legal Aid no matter what is happening at the White House. We handled 22% more cases in 2025 compared to the previous year. And we launched the DC Resource Bridge in partnership with the DC Bar Foundation to minimize the time and effort it takes to find legal help. DC residents can now make one phone call to connect with the legal services provider that is most likely to help them. The DC Resource Bridge works closely with a network of partner organizations to ensure we can provide comprehensive services to as many people as possible. It will be an essential piece of our new office space in Anacostia, which will open in 2026.

We know that the challenges of 2025 won’t let up in the new year and will take on new shapes. But we are ready to meet this moment. That’s thanks in large part to the support of the DC Council, the Mayor’s Office, the DC Bar Foundation, and the 5,000+ firms, companies, and people who contributed this past year.  

At the end of the day, Legal Aid has always been in the fight for a more just future. Despite all these challenges, I am proud to stand alongside our supporters and partners, my incredible colleagues, and most of all, our fearless clients. Thank you.

Sincerely, 

Vikram Swaruup
Executive Director