ILS Pro Bono Services Program

Esperanza Center Immigration Legal Services (ILS) Pro Bono Services Program (PBP)

Volunteers are needed!

Please click here for more information in general on volunteering with Esperanza Center.

Immigration Legal Services:
667-600-2941
ilsinfo@cc-md.org

How can I volunteer with Immigration Legal Services (ILS)?

Attorney volunteers (Pro Bono Attorneys; Maryland license is NOT required)

ILS provides training and mentorship on the following types of cases

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is a form of immigration relief resulting in a path to citizenship for certain unaccompanied minors who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected by one or both parents. Before applying for SIJS, an order of special findings must be sought from the circuit court, usually through a guardianship or custody hearing. SIJS cases involve court representation.
Asylum (Withholding of Removal and/or protection under the Convention Against Torture): Asylum is a humanitarian form of immigration relief resulting in a path to citizenship for people who have a well-founded fear of persecution on account of one of five protected grounds (race, religion, national origin, political opinion, membership in a particular social group). Click here to learn more about asylum. Asylum cases may or may not involve court representation.
Crime victim representation: Immigrant crime victims may be eligible for special protections that result in a path to citizenship. Crime victim representation generally does not involve court representation. Click here to learn more about the U nonimmigrant visa for crime victims.

To Register As a Pro Bono Attorney

Create a Better Impact volunteer profile so we have your information on file (click here). Ensure you indicate your interest in at least the “Immigration Legal Services” program.
Sign up to receive the PBP Email Newsletter here. Volunteer opportunities and training announcements are made primarily through the PBP Email Newsletter once a month.
Participate in ILS orientation by telephone or in person.

Ways to Volunteer

Individual Case Placement

The demand for low or no-cost immigration legal services always exceeds ILS’s capacity, and we need pro bono attorneys to help represent the underserved immigrant population. ILS Pro Bono Attorneys provide representation to pre-screened asylum seekers, survivors of domestic violence/trafficking/sexual assault, victims of crime and unaccompanied immigrant minors.

ILS provides topic-specific training for new volunteer attorneys. Click here to register for our series of immigration overview training called “So You Want to Pro Bono?” No case commitment required. Click here to register for upcoming topic-specific training. Case commitment required. For a list of available cases, click here.

How does ILS support pro bono attorneys?

• Training
• Templates
• Mentorship and document review by ILS co-counsel
• Court accompaniment and observation
• Malpractice insurance
• Interpretation and translation services
• Meeting space for scheduled appointments

Legal Clinics

ILS conducts two types of clinics: (1) consultation clinics, and (2) group processing clinics for eligible individuals to receive application assistance. Clinics are generally held on Saturdays at least quarterly. For more information, the schedule of available clinic dates, and to sign up, click here.

Non-attorney volunteers (Interpreters/Translators; Legal clinic assistance)

To Register as an ILS Volunteer as a Legal Clinic Assistant

Legal Clinics

Create a Better Impact volunteer profile so we have your information on file (click here). Ensure you indicate your interest in at least the “Immigration Legal Services” program.
Sign up to receive the PBP Email Newsletter here. Volunteer opportunities and training announcements are made primarily through the PBP Email Newsletter once a month.

To Register as an ILS Volunteer as an Interpreter/Translator

Translation/Interpretation

For those interested in volunteering as interpreters (live or telephonic) or translators for immigration-related appointments:

Create a Better Impact volunteer profile so we have your information on file (click here). Ensure you indicate your interest in at least the “Immigration Legal Services” program.
Email SGaines@cc-md.org with “ILS INTERPRETER/TRANSLATOR” in the subject line.
Sign up to receive the PBP Email Newsletter here. Volunteer opportunities and training announcements are made primarily through the PBP Email Newsletter once a month.

In-House Volunteering (Attorneys, Non-Attorneys, and Law Students)

ILS recruits attorneys, law students, paralegals, and others to volunteer in our office, during business hours, under the supervision of our staff. Visit the Volunteer Page of Esperanza Center to participate in an information session. Thank you for wanting to make a difference in our community.