🚨 Habeas Corpus Training 🚨

Interested in helping immigrants that are unlawfully detained but don't know how to start? You're in luck - we have an upcoming training just for you!

⚖️ The session will be led by Russell Abrutyn (Abrutyn Law PLLC) and Sam Kulhanek (MIRC). Some of our attorney volunteers will also speak about their experience volunteering with the project!

⚖️We will be discussing prolonged detention (Zadvydas) habeas cases, burden shift habeas cases, and provide general information about volunteering with MIRC's habeas project.

⚖️ Tuesday, October 13, 2026 from 12:00pm - 1:30pm EST

Please register for the training here

Not yet a part of the MI Habeas & Bond Network? Sign up here to get access to the listserv, resource hub, past trainings, and templates!

🏛️ Help Youths Apply for Green Cards -

Volunteer at a Workshop! 🏛️

Good news! There has been huge movement in the visa bulletin and as of October 1, 2026, many youth with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJ) will be eligible to file their adjustment of status (green card) applications! They can also apply for a new work permit.

We're looking for pro bono attorneys who are interested in helping clients prepare forms I-485 ("Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status") and I-765 ("Application for Employment Authorization") for youth with SIJ beginning in October.

No experience? No problem! MIRC can providing training, resources, and mentorship. We are planning two in-person pro se workshops on Tuesday, October 27th at the MIRC offices in Grand Rapids and Detroit. Volunteers will help clients prepare the I-485 and I-765 applications.

Please fill out this survey if interested!

⚖️ Seeking Attorneys to Represent Unaccompanied Children in Asylum Interviews ⚖️

As you may know, the federal government has elected to not renew the grant that funded the majority of MIRC's work representing unaccompanied children in Michigan. This means that we're thinking hard about how to continue representation for our more than 900 children's cases. Unfortunately, some cases will be closed, including many cases where children are waiting for their asylum interviews to be scheduled with USCIS.

Due to this loss of funding, we're looking for pro bono attorneys interested in representing unaccompanied children at their asylum interviews. This representation would not need to extend beyond preparation and representation at the asylum office.

Please sign up here if interested!

📝 Quarter 3 Pro Bono Hours Survey 📝

Thank you to all of the volunteer attorneys who have worked with MIRC and contributed your time and efforts to serving Michigan's immigrant community!

The end of September marks the end of the third quarter. We'll be sending out a survey to collect your pro bono hours shortly. Thank you for your continued collaboration!

Immigration News

📊 Visa Bulletin Update for Special Immigrant Juveniles

The Department of State has issued the October 2026 Visa Bulletin. There has been a huge forward movement and now all applicants with priority dates before January 1, 2025 are eligible to file their adjustment applications come October 1. Attorneys and advocates should promptly identify eligible youth and begin preparation immediately, including coordinating civil surgeon medical exams and gathering required documentation.

Because visa bulletin movement can reverse without notice, these categories could retrogress in a future month. Acting quickly will help ensure eligible SIJ applicants do not miss this opportunity. ⏳📄

🚨Detainees Disappearing from ICE Detainee Locator

In mid-September practitioners began noticing that certain detainees were no longer appearing in ICE's Online Detainee Locator System. Specifically, this change appears to affect individuals with final removal orders, even if they have been granted withholding of removal or protection under the Convention against Torture. Advocates may be able to confirm a detainee's location through the ERO eFile portal or by emailing EROeFile.HelpDesk@ice.dhs.gov.

📄USCIS Issues Policy Alerts

USCIS recently issued two policy alerts. The first addresses how USCIS interprets the regulatory definition of "day" for purposes of filing deadlines. The second addresses the controlled substance trafficking, significant trafficking in persons, and money laundering grounds of inadmissibility.

Volunteer Opportunities

Non-Attorney Volunteer Opportunity

Habeas Dockets is looking for volunteers to help collect habeas filings to ensure transparency and public access to these court records.

Check it out HERE! 🌟

📚 We’re looking for undergraduate and law students to support our asylum cases through country conditions research. This role involves preparing annotated bibliographies that provide essential background to strengthen asylum claims, both before USCIS and the immigration courts.

Sign up to receive notifications about opportunities to contribute your research skills to these important cases. Sign up here.🌟

📝 We're seeking law students and attorneys to assist with asylum brief writing. You’ll meet with our team to get case details and contribute crucial legal research and writing to support these cases.

Attorney Opportunities

⚖️ Seeking Attorneys to Represent Unaccompanied Children ⚖️

Due to recent loss of funding, MIRC is looking for pro bono attorneys interested in representing unaccompanied children.

Please sign up here if interested!

🏛️ Help Youths Adjust Status 🏛️

We're looking for pro bono attorneys who are interested in filing forms I-485 ("Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status") and I-765 ("Application for Employment Authorization") for children with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.

Please fill out this survey if interested!

Questions? Contact us at mirc-pro-bono@michiganimmigrant.org

Share This Email