Pro-Bono Attorney Opportunities
Our network of more than 180 pro-bono attorneys provides legal representation and consultation to more than 5,000 immigrants each year, including hundreds of unaccompanied children and families seeking refuge in the United States and immigrants who have been victims of violent crimes. Centro Legal’s Pro Bono Project focuses on representation in asylum cases for those fleeing persecution and U visa applications for victims of violent crimes who have cooperated with law enforcement.
Our Pro Bono Program provides in-house mentoring from Centro Legal attorneys with significant litigation experience in immigration law. As your pro bono partner, Centro Legal:
- Carefully examine customer cases
- Provide comprehensive and detailed training on the specific steps and procedures required
- Provide up-to-date and relevant sample materials and informative information
- Discuss strategy issues and case development
Provide ongoing guidance and mentoring throughout our representation.
Become a Pro Bono Partner of Centro Legal de la Raza Today
Contact Karem Herrera, kherrera@centrolegal.org for current cases that need urgent pro bono representation or to arrange training.
Pro-Bono Attorney Opportunities
Since the summer of 2014, unprecedented numbers of unaccompanied children (UCs) and migrant families have embarked on the perilous journey from Central America and Mexico to the United States in search of safe haven. The urgency of this crisis is exacerbated by the vulnerability of the population. Many asylum seekers are women and children who have fled severe emotional, physical and sexual domestic violence, and also encounter this type of trauma on their journey to escape their home countries.
It is estimated that 80 of the women and girls who cross the border are raped during their journey. Refugees also include LGBTQ immigrants fleeing persecution, as well as girls and boys who have been targeted for their refusal to support local gangs or militias.California and the San Francisco Immigration Court (which covers Northern California) are bearing the brunt of the humanitarian crisis disproportionately. Among US states, California is the second most common destination for these unaccompanied minors and migrant families in the Immigration Court system. The odds of being allowed to stay in this country increased more than fourteen times when women and children had legal representation.
U Visa Pro Bono Project for Immigrant Victims of Violent Crimes
The U visa is for immigrants who have been victims of a violent crime and who have cooperated with law enforcement. It is an application filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and does not require an appearance in Immigration Court. Undocumented immigrant survivors of violent crimes often remain isolated and do not access legal services for which they qualify due to language barriers, limited education, and fear of interaction with authorities that could lead to deportation. Centro Legal has provided these survivors with comprehensive bilingual and culturally sensitive services to help them overcome the barriers they face in accessing services. Without an attorney, most of these survivors would not apply for a U visa, regardless of their eligibility. Due to the dedication of our pro bono attorneys, we have been able to dramatically increase the number of survivors we serve together. With a legal status and greater stability.