 |
 |
| Working to promote due process for immigrants and refugees in the United States. |
About the ABA Immigration Justice Project
History and Mission
In early 2008, the American Bar Association (ABA) launched an innovative pro bono immigration pilot project in San Diego, California pursuant to a seed grant from the ABA Enterprise Fund. The mission of the IJP is to promote due process and access to justice at all levels of the immigration and appellate court system, through the provision of high-quality pro bono legal services for those in immigration proceedings in San Diego. Partnering in the project are several ABA entities,* the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the federal courts, Georgetown University Law Center’s Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM), the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the private bar. The IJP will serve both detained and non-detained individuals, and will recruit, train, and mentor volunteer attorneys and law students representing clients. Through funding from the EOIR, the IJP will also implement a Legal Orientation Program for adult immigration detainees. During the first two years of the project, a study will be conducted by ISIM to evaluate its impact on the immigration court and appellate process.
With no right to government-funded counsel and a high indigence rate, many appear in immigration proceedings pro se. The lack of representation has dramatic consequences, particularly for those fleeing persecution abroad or facing separation from family in the United States. The IJP aims not only to increase access to counsel for immigrants, but to benefit the judicial system as a whole; legal representation results in higher appearance rates, and more fair, efficient, accurate, and consistent decision-making. The number of immigration appeals has skyrocketed in recent years, and the lack of representation places a great strain on the federal courts - more than 50% of all immigration appeals are handled by the Ninth Circuit alone. In addition, “Notarios” claiming to be immigration lawyers or specialists, who prey upon unsuspecting individuals, are increasingly prevalent in the San Diego area and the IJP aims to expand the scope and quality of representation for those who might otherwise become their victims.
*ABA entity partners are: Commission on Immigration, Standing Committee on Federal Judicial Improvements, Section of Litigation, Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, Judicial Division.
Pro Bono and Volunteer Opportunities
The IJP relies on dedicated pro bono attorneys and volunteers. We are always in need of:
- Volunteers to take on pro bono cases at both the immigration court and appellate levels.
- Law student interns to assist attorneys in screening clients, conducting legal and factual research and writing motions and briefs in support of ongoing court cases.
- Translators who are able to conduct volunteer translation in any language. We have frequent need for individuals who speak Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Somali and Arabic.
- Experienced immigration practitioners who are willing to train and mentor volunteer attorneys.
All Immigration Justice Project attorneys are provided with technical assistance, including sample materials, an experienced immigration attorney mentor, and are invited to attend all IJP trainings.
To volunteer, or for more information, email Liz Sweet: sweete@staff.abanet.org or via phone at 619/299-2930.
Attend a Training
Contact the IJP
401 B Street, Suite 1700
San Diego, CA 92101-4297
Fax: 619/568-3674
Contents
Thank You!
The IJP is very grateful to the law firm of
DLA Piper, LLP
for its generosity in donating office space!
Immigration Justice Project Staff
Elizabeth Sweet, Director
sweete@staff.abanet.org
Veronica Barba, LOP Attorney
Allegra McLeod, Arthur Liman Public
Interest Fellow
Romina Mosquera, LOP Paralegal
Immigration Justice Project Advisory Board
Thomas W. Burt
Microsoft Corporation
*ABA Standing Committee on Federal Judicial Improvements
Cynthia Cwik
Latham & Watkins LLP
Charles Dick
Baker & McKenzie LLP
Ilene Durst
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Susan Drake
Former Executive Director, National Immigration Law Center
William Grauer
Cooley Godward Kronish LLP
Karen Grisez
Fried Frank et. Al.
*ABA Commission on Immigration
Ginger Jacobs
Jacobs Schlesinger Ople & Sheppard LLP
Pamela Parker
Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP
Rupa G. Singh
McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP
Miko Tokuhama-Olsen
Legal Aid of San Diego
Christopher Young
DLA Piper
Immigration Justice Project Funders
- American Bar Association Enterprise Fund
- American Bar Association Section of Litigation
- Executive Office for Immigration Review
