Southeast Immigrant Freedom Initiative: Merits Cases

The Southeast Immigrant Freedom Initiative (SIFI) of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is seeking attorneys to represent noncitizens detained at various detention centers across the deep South in their applications for relief from deportation. This opportunity involves meeting with the client (can be done remotely), preparing the application for relief, collecting supporting evidence, and conducting a hearing on the application for relief in immigration court. SIFI works at the following locations:

• Stewart Detention Center, in Lumpkin, Georgia;
  (146 CCA Road, Lumpkin, GA)
• Irwin County Detention Center, in Ocilla, Georgia;
  (132 Cotton Drive, Ocilla, GA)
• LaSalle ICE Processing Center, in Jena, Louisiana;
  (830 Pinehill Road, Jena, LA)
• Folkston ICE Processing Center, in Folkston, Georgia
  (3026 Hwy 252 E, Folkston, GA)

To learn more about this opportunity type or others, please visit our Types of Volunteer Opportunities page.

The Support We Provide

Your work will be supported by a number of innovative resources: (1) a local practice guide to walk you step-by-step through immigration court procedure; (2) an online library of highly curated training materials as well as other helpful resources (e.g., case exemplars, sample briefs); (3) an in-house removal defense expert to answer questions; and (4) an experienced AILA member who will mentor a group of similarly situated cases.

Individuals in Need of Representation

Mr. AAM

Relief Sought: Withholding of Removal and Protection Under the Convention Against Torture
Location: Winn Correctional Center (Winnfield, LA)
Country of Origin: Colombia
Language: Spanish
Next Hearing: June 14, 2022 (Master Calendar Hearing) before IJ Laragy

Mr. AAM is a man in his 30's from Colombia. Mr. AAM was persecuted by the police for participating in political protests and because of his sexuality and he was harmed and threatened on three occasions. Mr. AAM was previously removed from the U.S. Mr. AAM suffers from anxiety and depression. Mr. AAM is seeking pro bono assistance with his withholding of removal/CAT case.

Ms. AMI

Relief Sought: Withholding of Removal and Protection Under the Convention Against Torture
Location: Stewart Detention Center (Lumpkin, GA)
Country of Origin: Peru
Language: Spanish
Next Hearing: July 25, 2022 (Master Calendar Hearing) before IJ Trimble

Ms. AMI is a woman in her 50s from Peru. She is a victim of domestic violence who suffers from anxiety and depression as a result of constant beatings from her abuser. Ms. AMI is seeking pro bono assistance with her asylum case.

These summaries are not for any private use or publication.