Dear Friend of PAIR,

I hope each of you was able to recharge a bit over the holiday season, as we are in these early days of 2025. As we prepare for the incoming administration, we have a number of asylum cases in need of pro bono representation.

As studies have shown, asylum seekers who have counsel are up to 5 times more likely to win their case.

If you have been thinking about taking on a case, there is no better time than now. Each pro bono attorney is directly matched up with one of my amazing colleagues who provide step-by-step mentorship—inclusive of discussing overall legal strategy, document review, and interview/hearing prep.

Please hit "reply" if you have any questions or are interested to learn more. I'd be very glad to chat further to address any concerns you may have.

In the meantime, we are grateful to be working alongside our broader pro bono community in these ongoing times—we appreciate all that you do.

Onward,

Melanie

PAIR Pro Bono Involvement Coordinator

For Non-Detained Defensive Asylum Cases:

I-589 Applicants No Longer Need to Mail USCIS Information to Complete Biometrics

As of 12/16/2024, counsel no longer needs to file a copy of the I-589 to USCIS to initiate the biometrics process for non-detained asylum seekers who are in immigration court proceedings.

Therefore, it is even more important to ensure that clients' addresses are up-to-date (full representation counsel will still be notified of the biometrics date).

The 12/16/2024 revised pre-order instructions are here:

Instructions for Submitting Certain Applications in Immigration Court and For Providing Biometric and Biographic Information to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Available Asylum Pro Bono Cases

To read the longer case abstract for each the cases below, please click here.

If you are an attorney and are interested in taking on one of the below non-detained asylum cases, please email me at mgleason@pairproject.org.

Asylum (Immigration Court): CMG (Ecuador) is a 27-year-old woman who fled to the U.S. due to enduring long-term physical, psychological, and verbal abuse by her ex-partner.

Asylum (Asylum Office): MSP (Dominican Republic) is a 45-year-old Dominican woman who fled from her abusive ex-partner out of fear he would follow-through on his threats to kill her.

Asylum (Immigration Court): AMG (Honduras) is a 28-year-old woman who survived physical and sexual abuse at the hands of her kidnapper. **Note: AMG and CMG are sisters and have separate asylum claims. This may be a good fit for a pro bono team/firm who have capacity to take on both cases.

Asylum (Immigration Court): CMG (Honduras) is a 32-year-old woman who fears returning to Honduras due to the abuse she endured from her ex-partner and his threats of future violence. **Please see the note above.

Asylum (Immigration Court): SC (Haiti) is a 36-year-old man who fled Haiti due to the death threats he was receiving from the political party that rivaled the one he worked for.

Pro Bono Needed for Mandamus Case

One of PAIR's attorneys is looking for pro bono support to file a mandamus action for two marriage-based I-730s. The I-730 is a visa petition filed by someone who has asylum status on behalf of their spouse and/or unmarried children. There has been an unreasonable delay in the processing of the aforementioned two I-730s, and we are looking for a pro bono who is interested in federal court work to support.

If you may like to take this on, please email me at mgleason@pairproject.org.

Arabic and Spanish Volunteer Interpreters Needed!



• PAIR is in need of an Arabic volunteer interpreter to assist in-person with an asylum case at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility.

• We are also in need of volunteer Spanish interpreters to help us with intakes at the Wyatt Detention Facility.

If you are interested and available, please email Detention Program Manager, Irene Freidel, ifreidel@pairproject.org.

STAY CONNECTED