Erin Schutte Wadzinski: Bringing Immigration Law Home

Erin Schutte Wadzinski: Bringing Immigration Law Home

Growing up on a farm near Worthington, Erin Schutte Wadzinski never expected to return home after college. But after a decade in Connecticut, she felt a calling to come back to Greater Minnesota and make a difference in her community through immigration law.

A Journey from Yale to Worthington

Schutte Wadzinski’s journey took her far from her rural roots. She attended Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, and later earned her law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law, attending night classes while working full-time. During her time at Yale, she directed the Yale Young Global Scholars program, expanding educational opportunities for students across the U.S. and around the world. It was there that she met her future husband, Tyler Wadzinski, a Wisconsin native.

Despite establishing a life and career in Connecticut, a persistent sense of home kept calling. “I started getting this little voice in my head telling me to go home,” Schutte Wadzinski recalled. Though she and her husband had built a life on the East Coast, she ultimately realized that home meant Worthington. In 2018, the couple made the move back, with Tyler taking a chemistry instructor position at Minnesota West Community and Technical College and Erin beginning work as a staff attorney at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.

Filling a Critical Gap in Legal Services

During her time at the nonprofit, Schutte Wadzinski recognized a significant gap in legal services available to immigrants in southwest Minnesota. Motivated by the community’s needs, she applied for and received the Initiators Fellowship through the Southwest Initiative Foundation, a program designed to help rural entrepreneurs establish social enterprises. With that support, she launched Kivu Immigration Law.

“Kivu Immigration Law is a social enterprise dedicated to providing affordable and accessible legal representation on immigration matters,” she explained. “Our goal is to meet the legal needs of this community while also educating businesses and organizations on how immigration laws impact them.”

Adapting to an Ever-Changing Legal Landscape

Immigration law is constantly evolving, influenced by political shifts and policy changes. For Schutte Wadzinski, that means staying on top of new regulations and ensuring her clients have the best possible legal guidance. “We are at the whim of the presidential administration when it comes to what avenues are available for immigrants to pursue lawful status, permanent residency, or citizenship,” she noted. “That makes our work both challenging and engaging.”

Since its inception, Kivu Immigration Law has grown quickly. Initially, Schutte Wadzinski envisioned working with just a part-time legal assistant, but demand soon exceeded expectations. “We’ve had to grow faster than anticipated, and I’m constantly on the lookout for talented, passionate individuals to join our team,” she said.

Beyond individual representation, Kivu Immigration Law also partners with businesses navigating the complexities of hiring an international workforce. “Many businesses don’t realize how feasible it is to hire international talent,” Schutte Wadzinski explained. “We help them understand work visa options, particularly for international students who are already in the U.S. and looking for employment post-graduation.”

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Schutte Wadzinski envisions continued growth for her law firm. “Five years from now, we’ll still be here, and hopefully, we’ll have renovated our building to increase office space and accommodate a growing team.”

Her success wouldn’t have been possible without support from organizations like the Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC) and First State Bank Southwest. The SRDC’s Revolving Loan Fund played a crucial role in helping her purchase her office space, allowing her to establish a long-term presence in Worthington.

Reflecting on her path, Schutte Wadzinski is grateful for the opportunity to serve her community. “Owning my own business allows me the flexibility to adapt to changing policies and new priorities without bureaucratic hurdles,” she said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see our clients reunite with loved ones, obtain work authorization, or become U.S. citizens. I feel fortunate to be a small part of their journey.”

Through Kivu Immigration Law, Erin Schutte Wadzinski has built more than just a business—she has created a vital resource for her community, ensuring that immigrants in southwest Minnesota have access to the legal support they need to build their futures.

For more information about Kivu Immigration Law, visit www.kivulaw.com.

.