Popular Links

    [page missing]

    Projects and Initiatives

    [page missing]

    Commission on Immigration

    The Commission directs the Association’s efforts to ensure fair treatment and full due process rights for immigrants, asylum-seekers, and refugees within the United States.

    Unaccompanied Immigrant Children Conference for Legal Service Providers

    This conference is intended for individuals engaged in the provision of free or pro bono legal services on behalf of unaccompanied children. To request attendance, please fill out and submit the following application by Friday, August 30, 2019, to UCconference2019@gmail.com.

    Frequently Asked

    Questions

    Complete the Conference - Application

    Unaccompanied Immigrant Children Conference: Call for Proposals

    We are pleased to put out a call for proposals for the 2019 National Conference on Representation and Advocacy for Unaccompanied Immigrant Children. We invite your ideas for panels, workshops, and discussions that will be of use and interest. We are asking for ideas and proposals for 60-90 minute sessions. Please submit your proposals to UCconference2019@gmail.com by Friday, August 30, 2019.

    Learn - More

    ABA Serves Detained Migrant Children and Adults

    Discover how the ABA empowers migrants with the legal knowledge needed to make informed decisions throughout the immigration process. Take a stand with the ABA for migrant children and families.

    Learn - More

    Pro Bono Opportunities

    Kindly complete this survey at your earliest convenience to receive information about volunteer opportunities with the ABA Commission on Immigration and its projects.

    Make a - Difference

    Announcements

    Message from Commission Chair, Wendy Wayne

    America has long defined itself as a nation of immigrants, reflecting not only our diversity, but a shared belief in liberty, justice, opportunity, and in providing refuge to those fleeing persecution. That identity has been challenged by the current administration’s efforts to radically reshape our nation’s immigration laws and policies.

    Read - More

    Video Highlights

    About the Commission

    The Commission directs the Association’s efforts to ensure fair treatment and full due process rights for immigrants and refugees within the United States.

    About - Us

    Featured Resources

    New and Updated for 2018: Unaccompanied Children's Standards

    The ABA Commission on Immigration is excited to share its August 2018 update to the Standards for the Custody, Placement and Care; Legal Representation; and Adjudication of Unaccompanied Alien Children in the United States. This update was accomplished with significant collaboration from Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, Children’s Immigration Law Academy (CILA), Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), ABA Center on Children and the Law, ABA Working Group on Unaccompanied Minor Immigrants, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, and many others. The purpose of this resource is to establish best practices and to provide commentary and citations for further reference. If you would like to order a hard copy, please contact Nicole Gasmen at nicole.gasmen@americanbar.org.

    Pro Bono Reflections from the Rio Grande Valley

    The Commission on Immigration has been hosting week-long pro bono trips to the Rio Grande Valley. These trips have allowed volunteers to get direct experience on the frontlines witnessing the immigration detention and removal systems and hearing directly from asylum-seekers and others who travel to the United States seeking protection. Here we will feature some ProBAR volunteers' reflections on their experiences.

    Newest Blogs

    Pro Bono Reflections from the Rio Grande Valley - Volunteer Interpreter

    Pro Bono Reflections from the Rio Grande Valley - Andrew Strongin

    New ABA pro bono program gives Mary Ryan a firsthand look at immigration at the border

    Our Projects:

    South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR)

    The South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR) is a national effort to provide pro bono legal services to asylum seekers detained in South Texas by the United States government. The project recruits, trains and coordinates the activities of volunteer attorneys, law students and legal assistants.

    Learn about ProBAR - more

    Children's Immigration Law Academy

    The Children’s Immigration Law Academy (CILA), is an expert legal resource center created by the American Bar Association (ABA). CILA builds capacity for those working to advance the rights of children seeking protection through trainings, technical assistance, and collaboration.

    CILA Website - more information

    Immigration Justice Project (IJP)

    The Immigration Justice Project (IJP) of San Diego seeks to promote due process and access to justice for indigent immigrants and asylum-seekers through the provision of high-quality pro bono legal services for individuals appearing before the San Diego immigration court and in subsequent appeals as needed.

    Learn more: - Immigration Justice Project (IJP)

    Fight Notario Fraud (FNF)

    Unscrupulous “notarios” or “immigration consultants” have become an increasingly serious problem in immigrant communities throughout the United States. The Commission is working to provide immigrant communities with information about this dangerous practice, and to support advocates who represent victims.

    Learn more - Fight Notario Fraud

    Detainee Correspondence Project

    The ABA Commission on Immigration is seeking talented law clerks and interns to assist in cutting-edge, individualized assistance to detainees held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

    Intern - With us

    Know Your Rights

    To help ensure America's commitment to justice for all, the American Bar Association Commission on Immigration has produced an updated version of "Know Your Rights," an educational video for the more than 400,000 men and women held in immigration detention facilities across the country each year.

    Learn more - here

    Spring Internship opportunity- Detainee Hotline

    The Commission is undergraduate and law student interns for the upcoming spring semester in our Washington, D.C. office. Please click on the link to the right for more information on internship duties and how to apply.

    More - info

    2019 Update Report: Reforming the Immigration System

    Pro Bono Matters for Children Facing Deportation

    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. Follow the link for pro bono opportunities nationwide to support children . 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.

    Make a - Difference

    Donate to the Commission on Immigration

    The Commission on Immigration appreciates your donations that will help us to continue our work ensuring due process rights for the immigrant community. We thank you in advance for your generosity!

    Donate - here

    Explore ABA Groups

    Learn More

    Browse Related Topics

    Access to Justice

    Children's Rights

    Diversity & Inclusion

    Explore - All Topics