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Mississippi Center for Justice

Represent Mississippians in Immigration Proceedings -- Remote Work Opportunity

Partner with the Mississippi Center for Justice's Immigration team to ensure that all of our neighbors have someone to advocate on their behalf.

Posted April 27, 2020

Background & Context

A growing population of immigrants have made Mississippi home. This has not been without struggle. ICE raided chicken processing factories in areas surrounding Jackson, Mississippi on August 7, 2019 and arrested nearly 700 people during the largest single-state immigration raid in US history. Local law enforcement officers continue to coordinate small-scale enforcement actions targeting undocumented Mississippians driving to work, leading to prolonged and unjust detainment. Many of our neighbors are stuck in detention centers where confirmed COVID-19 infection rates are surging. (See https://www.ice.gov/coronavirus for current numbers)

The Mississippi Center for Justice calls on you to join us in defending these individuals. Pro bono attorneys will work on either a detained or non-detained case. Attorneys will advocate for humanitarian release for detained individuals at high risk of complications from COVID-19, as well as represent them in their underlying immigration case. Once matched with a non-detained client, a volunteer attorney will conduct client interviews, review intake files to determine an individual's defense(s) to removal, and begin prepping the client for their eventual hearing once the non-detained courts reopen.

We provide access to translation services for volunteer attorneys to communicate with clients. Additionally, Mississippi Center for Justice's immigration team provides support to volunteer attorneys new to Immigration Law. There is no need for prior experience in Immigration Law.

Work & Deliverables

Detained casework typically spans two-to-three months. Non-detained cases will take more time once the non-detained courts reopen. Attorney work will consist of writing and submitting motions, advocating for release of clients, and representing individuals in Immigration Court.

This project is complete!

This project has been completed thanks to the efforts of our volunteers.

Visit the Project Directory to check out other projects that still need your help!

Additional Information

  • Time Commitment: 11-20 hours
  • Training Provided: Yes
  • Additional Training Details: The Mississippi Center for Justice will have one-on-one meetings with each pro bono attorney to train folks new to the immigration law world.
  • Site-Preference: Remote
  • Open to Law Students: No
  • Additional Location Details: Immigration Courts across the country have issued standing orders providing for telephonic appearances for ALL detained hearings.
  • Bar License(s) required: Any Bar License
  • Required Languages: None
  • Preferred Languages: Spanish
  • Required Legal Expertise: None
  • Mentoring Provided: Yes
  • Supervision Provided: Yes
Mississippi Center for Justice

At the heart of the Center’s mission to create a just society is a desire to build healthy communities across Mississippi. By engaging elected officials, faith-based leaders, media, community activists, educators, childcare providers, healthcare professionals and other advocacy partners, the Mississippi Center for Justice provides the legal perspective to policy initiatives that improve the lives of Mississippians.

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