Dear Friend of PAIR,

September kicks off our fall cycle for our two pro bono programs: PAIR's Rapid Response Team and Asylum Cohort!

We are always looking for dedicated lawyers to join our Rapid Response Team. Team members do limited scope representation, including representing detained asylum seekers at their bond hearings.

This entire month, we are hosting a Rapid Response Team training series. By joining one or more trainings, you will become part of the team and will be notified of upcoming limited scope cases that need placement.

Additionally, we are launching the Fall 2022 Asylum Cohort at the end of this month! The Asylum Cohort started this spring to give new PAIR pro bono attorneys substantive training in asylum law, as well as connect with a community of like-minded peers.

Each fall Asylum Cohort member also agrees to take a full representation asylum case by June 2023, and is assigned a PAIR staff attorney mentor for tailored support, every step of the way.

If you are interested in joining the fall Asylum Cohort and want to know more, you can either fill out this brief survey or just hit "reply" to this email directly. I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Finally, if you have attorney colleagues at your firm, organization, and/or network who may be interested—please feel free to forward this email along.

I look forward to hearing from you and seeing many of you later this month!

In solidarity,
Melanie
Pro Bono Involvement Coordinator at PAIR
Available 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 cases, please email me at [email protected].

  • Asylum (Asylum Office): LAMG (Guatemala) is a 29 year old woman who fears returning to her home country because she identifies as transgender.

  • Asylum (Asylum Office): ASDS (Brazil) is a 33 year old man who fears returning to his home country because he is gay.

  • Asylum (Immigration Court): JG/GB (Haiti) are long-term partners who fear returning to their home country due to gangs targeting the family.
Upcoming Rapid Response Team Trainings
Bond Training: Responding to ICE transfers of detained asylum seekers to New England 
Thursday, September 15, 2022 from 12:00 - 1:00pm EST
Hosted by PAIR Detention Attorney, Julia Ciachurski

This training will focus on how to represent detained asylum seekers who recently arrived in the U.S. at bond hearings in Immigration Court. Topics will include:
  • Basic eligibility for bond and significant factors in a bond determination
  • Relevant Immigration Court procedures, and
  • Tips on how to prepare a bond packet and gather evidence
As ICE continues its practice of detaining asylum seekers, PAIR has witnessed the resurgence of clients transferred to New England detention centers from the Southern border. Thus, PAIR frequently has a number of pro bono bond cases, many with strong fear-based claims. The time frame on a bond case is about 2-3 weeks after case placement/acceptance. Pro bono attorneys can make an enormous impact by helping asylum seekers secure release from detention and obtain the ability to pursue protection in the U.S. from outside of a jail cell. Please click here to register.

Bond Training: Advanced Issues and Emerging Topics
Wednesday, September 21, 2022 from 12:00 - 1:00pm EST
Hosted by PAIR Detention Attorney, Irene Freidel

This training will anchor participants in the basic requirements for seeking bond and bond eligibility but will focus on more advanced issues and emerging topics in the fast-changing area of immigration detention. This training seeks to provide an up-to-date legal framework and tips on how to best represent detained clients seeking release, including: 
  • How to hold the Government to their burden of proof
  • Rebut dangerousness allegations
  • Handle interactions with law enforcement that can impact a client’s bond chances, and 
  • Tips on how and when to file evidence in support of bond
Pro bono attorneys will be given the tools to feel comfortable advocating for their detained clients in Immigration Court. Please click here to register.

Best Practices for Completing a "Skeletal" Asylum Application/I-589
Wednesday, September 28, 2022 from 12:00 - 1:00pm EST
Hosted by PAIR Asylum Attorney, Violeta Haralampieva

Filing a "skeletal" asylum application is an important first step in both affirmative and defensive asylum cases. PAIR's Violeta Haralampieva will be facilitating a training on the technical aspects of preparing and filing Form I-589 (Application for Asylum). She will share best practices for completing the biographical sections and substantive questions on the form, as well as tips for filing with both USCIS in affirmative cases and EOIR in defensive cases. Please click here to register.
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