A summary of what we’ve accomplished in 2024
We are proud to present our 2024 Annual Impact Report, highlighting a year of transformation and resilience for the queer and trans immigrants we serve. From providing essential legal resources to navigating trauma and building safety, we empower our clients to turn their experiences into triumphs. With support from California’s Stop the Hate Program, we produced a Resource Guide to support victims of violence. This year also marked a milestone as we became a state bar-funded organization. With an increase in diversified revenue streams, our Asylum Program is now completely free and we continue to strengthen our reach with services like Medi-Cal enrollment. Together, we are building a safer, more supportive world for LGBTQ+ immigrants—one where their voices are heard, their rights are secured, and their futures are bright.
You are invited to explore our Impact Report by clicking on any of the buttons below.
-
OASIS BY THE NUMBERS
Our client demographics, revenue, and expenses
-
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Remarks from our Executive Director and Board Chair
-
PARTNERING FOR JUSTICE
Interns, volunteers, and pro bono attorneys
-
FROM TRAUMA TO TRIUMPH
Empowering queer and trans immigrants
-
STRENGTHENING SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Training providers to advocate for queer and trans immigrants
-
A NEW ERA OF ACCESS
Free asylum services for low-income LGBTQ+ immigrants
-
IMMIGRATION STATUS IS A SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH
-
FROM ADVOCACY TO ACTION
Securing rights and benefits for LGBTQ+ immigrants
-
OUR MISSION
Oasis Legal Services empowers low-income LGBTQ+ immigrants who have survived violent persecution due to their sexuality, gender identity, and/or HIV status by increasing access to quality, culturally responsive legal representation and social services.
-
OUR APPROACH
We achieve our mission through three core strategies: (1) Direct legal representation for LGBTQ+ immigrants, (2) Social services navigation support, and (3) Training and advocacy to increase the number of service providers, and advance policies, that improve the lives of queer and trans immigrants.
OASIS BY THE NUMBERS
CLIENT DEMOGRAPHICS
In 2024, Oasis opened cases for 363 LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and immigrants, each with unique stories of resilience and hope. Our client base continues to reflect the global and diverse nature of the LGBTQ+ community, with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. The statistics shared below are more than just numbers—they represent the people who come to us in search of safety and justice.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
Our clients come from countries across the globe, where they face unique challenges related to anti-LGBTQ+ persecution. Among the top countries of origin are Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Brazil. Many of our clients are fleeing violence, discrimination, and legal punishment in their home countries, seeking refuge in the U.S. where they can live with dignity and freedom.
GENDER IDENTITY
This year, we served clients with diverse gender identities, including 13% who identify as transgender and 3% as nonbinary or gender nonconforming. We are committed to providing culturally competent legal assistance that respects and affirms the identities of all individuals, regardless of gender expression.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Our clients represent a broad spectrum of sexual orientations, with 71% identifying as gay or lesbian, 5% as bisexual, and 3% identifying as queer or pansexual. We also work with individuals who identify with other sexual orientations within the LGBTQ+ spectrum, providing personalized legal representation that acknowledges the intersections of their identities.
LIVING WITH HIV
In 2024, one in six of new clients is living with HIV and the rest are all at significant risk of contracting HIV. Our holistic approach provides accessible and sustainable pathways to obtaining HIV care for our clients and spreads community awareness to people who historically face health inequities. When clients come to Oasis, we provide them with an HIV Resource Guide and connect them to healthcare providers who specialize in working with LGBTQ+ people. Through our intake process, we learn that many LGBTQ+ immigrants have never even been tested for HIV, and only learn about resources and preventative care when they come through our doors.
At the end of 2023, Oasis had 706 pending asylum cases. By the end of 2024, that number increased to 900, leaving 194 additional people in limbo while they await a resolution to their asylum cases.
Despite the fact that very few asylum interviews were scheduled for affirmative asylum seekers around the country, Oasis was able to secure 14 asylum grants, leading to life-changing victories for those individuals who now have the legal right to stay in the U.S. Many of these successes were influenced by significant advocacy efforts, as we fought for more inclusive asylum policies and challenged anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in the legal system.
An asylum grant has a significant positive impact on the quality of life of LGBTQ+ immigrants. Data shows overall improvements in our clients' living conditions after receiving asylum, such as perceived and actual increase in safety, access to a larger number of resources, and a sense of belonging.
We support clients with following types of social services:
Education
Community Centers & Supports
Crisis Intervention
English Language Classes
Employment
Food Assistance
Healthcare
Housing
Legal Assistance
Mental Health Care
Public Benefits
Sexual Health & Testing
Hate Crime and Incidents
In 2024, a total of 145 people received social services resources, while an additional 124 clients received full social services case management support.
REVENUE
Oasis has remained steadfast in its commitment to providing high-quality legal services to LGBTQ+ immigrants, thanks to the continued generosity of our donors, partners, and supporters. As we work to build a sustainable future, here is a breakdown of our annual budget and revenue, which reflect the strength of our community and our ability to leverage resources effectively to meet the growing needs of our clients. In 2023, Oasis applied for and underwent a peer-review process for MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving Open Call. In 2024, Oasis was selected to receive a two million dollar one-time-award. This generous gift allowed us to replenish our organizational reserves and better position ourselves for changes in client needs and funding fluctuations in the years ahead.
In April 2024, we announced that our Asylum Program would be free to clients moving forward. Our donors and institutional partners continue to be the backbone of our organization, ensuring we can offer no-cost legal representation to low-income LGBTQ+ immigrants and advocacy to those who need it most. Compared to 2023, our client fees have intentionally dropped by 23%. Client Fees make up only 4% of our total revenue in 2024.
Individual Donations: We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our individual donors, who contributed 8% of our total revenue in 2024. These donations are the foundation of our work, allowing us to maintain a flexible budget that can respond to urgent needs. We are proud to have cultivated a strong base of supporters who share our vision of justice for LGBTQ+ immigrants.
Foundations: In 2024, we received 66% of our revenue from foundation grants, which have been instrumental in funding both our legal services and advocacy efforts. We are thankful for the continued trust and support from philanthropic organizations that believe in our mission and enable us to expand our impact, whether through direct service delivery or capacity-building projects.
Special Events: Our relationships with corporate sponsors and community partners contributed 6% of our revenue this year. These partnerships have provided not only financial support but also opportunities for pro bono legal work, community outreach, and awareness-building, ensuring that our efforts extend into the broader community.
Government Contracts: Government grants, including those aimed at supporting immigrant legal services, made up 17% of our annual revenue. These funds help us meet the increasing demand for asylum services and enable us to serve more individuals at risk of deportation or harm.
EXPENDITURES
Our total expenditures for the year amounted to $2,321,504, which were allocated across several key areas:
Legal and Social Services (Staff and Operations): 82% of our budget was dedicated to providing direct legal representation and advocacy, covering case management (staff salaries and professional development), legal consultations, and filing fees.
Community Outreach and Education: 4% of our budget was spent on outreach programs, including community education, awareness campaigns, and partnerships with other organizations advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
Administrative and Fundraising Costs: 14% was allocated to administrative functions, including fundraising, donor stewardship, and the infrastructure required to sustain our operations.
As we continue to grow and adapt to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ asylum-seekers and immigrants, we remain committed to maintaining fiscal responsibility and transparency. We understand the trust that our donors place in us, and we take that responsibility seriously. With a solid financial foundation, we are confident that we can continue to expand our services, advocate for policy change, and ensure that LGBTQ+ individuals find safety, justice, and dignity in the United States.
Thank you for your continued belief in our work—together, we are making a profound and lasting impact.