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    Immigration Justice Project

    Pro Bono and Volunteer Opportunities

    Immigrants and people seeking asylum in the United States have a right to counsel “at no expense to the government.” The government does not provide representation for immigrants, including those facing deportation or imprisoned in immigration detention centers. 86% of detained non-citizens facing removal proceedings are unrepresented. 63% of non-detained non-citizens facing removal proceedings are unrepresented. 

    Together we can change lives. Your service makes the difference.

    Sign up to volunteer here.

    Attorneys 

    We match pro bono attorneys across the United States to compelling opportunities that help defend the San Diego region’s immigrant community from deportation. 

    Attorneys can take on full representation on individual removal defense cases, enter limited scope representation on collateral matters, support our casework by completing short-term research and writing assignments, and more. We work closely with the American Bar Association’s Commission on Immigration and the Immigration Justice Campaign to help recruit, train, and mentor pro bono attorneys.   

    • Litigate. When you agree to represent an IJP client in immigration bond or removal proceedings, you will have the opportunity to prepare for, attend, and conduct hearings. 

    • Investigate. IJP welcomes assistance with factual and legal research to help support our clients’ defenses to removal and applications for relief, applications for immigration benefits or protections, and briefs before both the immigration and federal courts. 

    • Advocate. Your service can focus on advocacy with Immigration and Customs and Enforcement (ICE) to release our client from their custody without the need for an in-court hearing. 

    Attorneys can learn more by emailing [email protected] and filling out an interest survey. 

    Legal Interns 

    Our law school interns handle substantive work across the breadth of our removal defense practice area. They receive comprehensive training on immigration law. Ideal candidates will have excellent research, writing, and analytical skills, and a strong commitment to public interest law. 

    To apply, law students can send a resume and cover letter to [email protected]

    Volunteers

    We welcome the contributions of non-legal volunteers to support IJP’s mission. Volunteers fluent in any foreign language who are skilled at translation and interpretation work closely with IJP’s attorneys during client interviews, meetings, and court proceedings, and they translate legal documents. We are also in need of medical and psychological evaluators, social workers, administrative support, and creative collaborators. 

    Interested in volunteering? Learn more by emailing [email protected].