📚 Habeas Training

We will host a training on May 12 at 12:00PM for attorneys interested in volunteering to represent immigrant detainees in petitions for habeas corpus.⚖️📅

This training will build on the habeas training MIRC held last year and explore additional types of habeas cases, including prolonged detention cases.

Thank you to Russell Abrutyn, who has done amazing pro bono work for MIRC and will be leading the training!

🚀Register here!

MIRC Pro Bono Habeas Training

Tuesday, May 12

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

🚨 Join the Habeas Volunteer Network!

Are you an attorney interested in pro bono immigration work?⚖️

Sign up for MIRC and the ACLU of Michigan's Habeas Network! 🤝

Join the critical work of challenging unlawful detention and securing bond hearings for immigrant detainees--no immigration experience necessary!

As part of the network, you will have access to trainings, resources, and a listserv to support you as you litigate these cases.

Together, we can continue to expand access to quality pro bono representation for immigrants detained across Michigan.

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

Thank you to all of our volunteers!🌟

📢 Alert: USCIS Requiring Attorneys to Attend Interviews In-Person

Effective May 18, 2026, USCIS will no longer allow attorneys and accredited representatives to participate remotely in interviews at field offices and in affirmative asylum interviews at asylum offices, except in limited circumstances. This change in policy means that attorneys should plan to attend any scheduled interviews in person as opposed to appearing telephonically.

📊 Visa Bulletin Update for Special Immigrant Juveniles

The Department of State has issued the May 2026 Visa Bulletin. While we have seen meaningful forward movement for Special Immigrant Juvenile status applicants in recent months, the May Bulletin specifies that USCIS will be using the Final Action Dates chart for all applications filed after May 1, 2026.

This means that all applications filed on or after May 1 must have priority dates before July 15, 2022. 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. ⏳📄

Interested in pro bono immigration work but not sure how to get started? The Immigration Justice Campaign has a free e-learning course for attorneys interested in supporting immigrants in detention and asylum seekers.

Check it out 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.

Sign up to be notified when opportunities arise to help with asylum brief writing. Sign up 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.

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