An African Research Institute.
Because our community deserves more than survival.
Research that moves our community forward. We produce the data, policy analysis, and community research that drive economic power for the diaspora across Michigan, and we turn what we learn into legal access, business growth, and civic participation.
Detention, Court & Citizenship Support
Need help now? Besoin d’aide maintenant ?
Our research shows that access to reliable information remains one of the biggest barriers our community faces. That's why we bring trusted resources together in one place, so every family knows where to turn.
Detention & Immigration Court Resources
If a loved one has been detained, or you are preparing for immigration court.
ICE Detainee Locator: enter full name, date of birth, and country of birth, or A# and country of birth.
VINELink: finds people detained in Michigan, often updated before ICE's locator. Search by name and country.
(734) 794-9963: for people in detention only, Mon–Fri, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Families and friends, call (734) 239-6863. Calling instructions by facility:
Self-help guides in English and Spanish, plus a Frequently Asked Questions page.
Immigration Navigation
GABA Access offers free help understanding the immigration process, organizing documents, and completing forms. When you need legal advice, we refer you to a partner attorney.
GABA Access vous aide gratuitement à comprendre les démarches d’immigration, à organiser vos documents et à remplir vos formulaires. Si vous avez besoin d’un conseil juridique, nous vous orientons vers un avocat partenaire.
General Immigration Services & Information
Informations et services généraux en matière d’immigration.
- Call / Appelez (734) 239-6863 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday (du lundi au vendredi, de 9h30 à 16h30)
- Farmworker & immigrant worker rights / Droits des travailleurs immigrés et agricoles (800) 968-4046
Been renewing the same status for years? You may already qualify for more.
Many people in our community keep renewing their green card or current status because they assume they can't become citizens. Don't assume. Start your application and have a free attorney review it before you file.
Vous renouvelez le même statut depuis des années ? Ne supposez pas que la citoyenneté n’est pas pour vous. Commencez votre demande et faites-la examiner gratuitement par un avocat avant de la déposer.
- Be a Michigan resident.
- Start your application on CitizenshipWorks and complete at least 90%.
- Call to book a free attorney review.
GABA Access provides clerical form assistance, not legal advice. MIRC is an independent legal organization; contact them directly for legal services.
Our Model
Research first. Then we move.
Black immigrants, refugees, and the wider diaspora are among the fastest-growing communities in America, and among the least studied in Michigan. We fill that gap with evidence, then act on it.
Every program we run starts with a question our community needs answered, and every finding shapes where we show up next.
What We Do
Four ways we show up.
Immigration Navigation
Free help understanding the immigration process, organizing documents, and completing forms, with referrals to partner attorneys when you need legal advice.
Book an Appointment → GABAWorksBusiness Growth
Hands-on support for revenue-generating businesses across Michigan. Most programs end when the workshop ends. GABAWorks ends when your business grows.
Apply to GABAWorks → GABAGivesDemocracy & Civic Engagement
Phone banks, service days, and community events that build civic participation across the diaspora, year-round.
Volunteer With Us → The Legacy AgendaPolicy & Legislation
Our legislative tracker translates what's happening in Lansing and beyond into actionable intelligence for the diaspora.
View the Tracker →By the Numbers
A growing community the data overlooks.
Sources: Pew Research Center (2026); American Immigration Council (2024); National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (2022). Full citations on our research page.
See the Research →Our Priorities
Eight priorities. One community.
Helping a family get stable and stay stable is never just one thing. We work, and track legislation, across all eight.
Find Your Way In
However you show up, there's a place for you.
Build With Us
Fund the research. Join the work.
Bring your organization to the table, volunteer with GABAGives, or invest in the research that moves our community forward.