PRO-BONO
Become A Centro Legal de la Raza Pro Bono Partner Today
Please contact Valeria Cook, probono@centrolegal.org for current cases in need of urgent pro bono representation or to arrange a training.
Pro-Bono Attorney Opportunities
Our network of over 180 pro-bono attorneys provide legal representation and consultations to over 5,000 immigrants each year, including hundreds of unaccompanied children and families seeking refuge in the United States and immigrants who have been the victims of violent crimes. Centro Legal’s Pro Bono Project focuses on representation in asylum cases for those fleeing persecution and U visa applications for victims of violent crimes who have cooperated with law enforcement.
Our Pro Bono Program provides in-house mentorship from Centro Legal attorneys with significant litigation experience in immigration law. As your pro bono partner, Centro Legal will:
Carefully screen client cases
Provide a comprehensive, detailed training on the specific steps and procedures required
Provide updated and relevant sample materials and briefing
Discuss strategy and case development issues
Provide ongoing guidance and mentorship throughout the course of our representation
Asylum Pro Bono Project for Unaccompanied Children and Families
Since the summer of 2014, unprecedented numbers of unaccompanied children (UCs) and migrant families have embarked on the dangerous journey from Central America and Mexico to the U.S. in search of a safe haven. The urgency of this crisis is exacerbated by the vulnerability of the population. Many asylum seekers are women and children who have fled severe sexual, physical and emotional domestic violence, and also encounter this type of trauma on their journey to escape their home countries. An estimated 80% of women and girls crossing the border are raped during their journey. Refugees also include LGBTQ immigrants fleeing persecution, as well as young girls and boys who have been targeted for persecution due to their refusal to support local gangs or militias. The continuing increase in individuals fleeing violence in Central America and Mexico is staggering and the death toll in their respective home countries is higher today than when those nations were in civil war.
California and the San Francisco Immigration Court (which covers Northern California) are disproportionately bearing the weight of the humanitarian crisis. Among U.S. states, California is the second most common destination for these unaccompanied minors and migrant families in the Immigration Court system. The odds of being allowed to remain in this country increased more than fourteen-fold when women and children had legal representation.
U Visa Pro Bono Project for Immigrant Victims of Violent Crimes
The U visa is for immigrants who have been victims of a violent crime and who have cooperated with law enforcement. It is an application filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and does not require an appearance before the Immigration Court.
Undocumented immigrant survivors of violent crime often remain isolated and do not access the legal services for which they qualify due to language barriers, a limited education, and fear of interaction with the authorities that could lead to deportation. Centro Legal has provided these survivors with comprehensive bilingual and culturally sensitive services to help them overcome the barriers they face to accessing services. Without an attorney, most of these survivors would not apply for a U visa, despite their eligibility. Because of the dedication of our pro bono attorneys, we have been able to dramatically increase the number of survivors we serve together. With lawful status and increased stability, survivors can focus on overcoming crisis and begin healing and caring for their families.
