PARTNERS Since 2001, the efforts of CLINIC, EOIR, volunteer attorneys, and the following partners have successfully increased the level of representation to immigrants with cases on appeal before the BIA through the Project: n American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) n American Immigration Council (AIC) n National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIP/NLG) n Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition
Proverbs 31:8-9 Open
your mouth in behalf of the mute,
and for the rights of the destitute; open your mouth, judge justly, defend the needy and the poor! National Office 8757 Georgia Avenue, Suite 850 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Main Phone: (301) 565-4800 Main Fax: (301) 565-4824 www.cliniclegal.org
BOARD OF IMMIGRATION APPEALS PRO BONO PROJECT
BOARD OF IMMIGRATION APPEALS (BIA) PRO BONO PROJECT
WHO WE HELP The Project finds representation for individuals who have either lost their cases before the Immigration Judge and appealed, or won their cases before the Immigration Judge and the government appealed. Priority is given to immigrants held in detention or otherwise particularly vulnerable. In fact, over 60% of the Project’s cases involve individuals seeking protection from torture, and 56% of cases represent immigrants authorized to live and work in the U.S. permanently.
The BIA Pro Bono Project has been instrumental in protecting the rights of immigration detainees with severe mental health issues. Matter of M-A-M set national policy, implementing additional protections for mentally ill noncitizens facing removal.
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sylum-seekers and long-time lawful permanent residents are significantly disadvantaged when appearing before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) without legal representation.
GET INVOLVED! If you have an active license to practice law in any U.S. state or are a student in a law school clinic, we invite you to join one of the nation’s most successful pro bono initiatives. Benefits: n Earn pro bono hours on your own time, without leaving your office. n Take the cases you want. n Each case takes about 2-3 months from start to finish.
The BIA Pro Bono Project, coordinated by the Catholic Legal Immigration
n CLINIC’s expert staff are available for support and mentoring.
Network, Inc. (CLINIC), in collaboration with the Executive Office for
n Make a critical difference in the appeal case of a vulnerable immigrant.
Immigration Review (EOIR) and a committed network of community partners,
safeguards the rights of individuals who otherwise would face persecution, torture, and even death upon deportation. Project participants are 3 times more likely to receive a favorable outcome than immigrants who represent themselves before the Board. – “A Ten Year Review of the BIA Pro Bono Project” conducted by EOIR
HOW DOES THE PROJECT WORK? n Each week CLINC distributes new cases of individuals who need representation for their appeals to a community of over 580 attorneys. Attorneys interested in taking a particular case contact CLINIC. After the case is assigned, CLINIC obtains consent from the prospective client. n CLINIC makes the match and the BIA sends the volunteer attorney a full copy of the record of proceedings. This is unique to the BIA Pro Bono Project and will not happen with other BIA appeals. Volunteers with the Project have a total of 6 weeks to write the brief (longer than other appeals cases). n Next, the volunteer attorney writes the brief (about 15-20 pages long). Other than keeping in touch with CLINIC and updating the client, that’s all there is to it!
I want to thank you for your help and continued support “ concerning my case. Because of your work, I have hope that I will have another chance of living the American dream.”
– BIA Pro Bono Project Client
For more information please visit us at www.cliniclegal.org or contact us at:
facilitates access to justice for these vulnerable individuals. By matching pro bono counsel to immigrants with case appeals before the BIA, the Project
90% of Project clients are detained by the Department of Homeland Security.
Do I need to meet with the client in-person? No. Many volunteer attorneys communicate with their clients over the phone or through the mail. Do I need to be licensed in the same state as my client? No. An attorney actively licensed to practice in any U.S. jurisdiction may provide representation to any person appearing before the Board, so long as he or she completes a brief registration process with the agency.
Tel 301-565-4800 Fax 301-565-4824 Email national@cliniclegal.org
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