The Working Group on Unaccompanied Minor Immigrants, established by past ABA President William Hubbard, with the approval of the Board of Governors, represents a cross-section of various ABA entities, including the Commission on Immigration, Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities, Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities, Section of Family Law, Section of Litigation, Commission on Youth at Risk, Section of International Law, Business Law Section, and the Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division.
Thousands of children must face immigration judges each year without appointed counsel. With representation, asylum seekers have a five times greater chance of winning their case. Funded by the Vera Institute of Justice, Pro Bono Matters for Children Facing Deportation allows lawyers to search and share available pro bono cases for unaccompanied children (UC) detained by the federal government or released to live with family members while in deportation proceedings.
The Standards are rules of general applicability that should guide the treatment of any Unaccompanied Child in the United States in all respects.
The Project Corazon - Matamoros Remote I-589 Project is modeled on traditional one-time know your rights and pro se assistance clinics. The key difference is that pro bono attorneys, law students, and legal workers can assist without travelling, in time periods that are shorter and more manageable, and with the use of reliable and efficient technology. For purposes of this project, you will not be representing the individuals but rather helping them prepare a I-589 so they can file it pro se.
The Vera Institute of Justice partnering with New America has launched the Immigrant Connection Project (ICON) to address the separation of families at the border. Attorneys or parents seeking children should email [email protected] or [email protected] or call 800-845-8372.
