CILA has many written resources and recorded trainings that may assist you in your pro bono representation, and we recommend that you explore CILA's website to access these materials and learn more. Many of CILA's webinars are offered as live trainings, and CILA frequently records our trainings and posts them on the CILA website here. Below, we have compiled several introductory or 101 resources geared towards pro bono practitioners to help you get started on your pro bono journey.
Pro Bono 101 Trainings
CILA recommends that those new to children's immigration law, working with unaccompanied immigrant children, and pro bono legal representation check out the two 101 videos below, which were held live, recorded, and geared towards pro bono attorneys and volunteers.
Pro Bono Representation of Unaccompanied Children in Immigration Matters
This first recorded training, hosted live in May 2023, features attorneys from CILA's pro bono initiatives introducing key topics relevant to unaccompanied children's immigration cases, including an overview of unaccompanied children, certain legal protections for immigrant children, and some common forms of legal relief for children.
Representing Children and Families in Immigration Matters
The second recording, co-hosted by CILA and the ABA's Commission on Immigration (COI) in 2022, includes three substantive presentations and guidance on expressing interest in a case posted on CILA’s Pro Bono Matters for Children Facing Deportation platform, and/or COI’s platform, Pro Bono Matters for Families Facing Deportation.
Other Pro Bono Trainings
CILA regularly hosts trainings developed for a pro bono audience. Check out a sampling of these recorded pro bono trainings below, and navigate through CILA's Advanced Trainings page to see other trainings about working with unaccompanied children.
Children’s Asylum & Gang Related Crimes
Pro Bono Representation of Youth in Immigration Court: An Overview of Agency Policy & Practical Guidance
Introduction to Trauma-Informed Interviewing for Pro Bono Attorneys Working with Immigrant Children
Highlighted Resources
Our work at CILA includes supporting and uplifting advocates who work pro bono on children’s immigration cases. Nearly 40% of the youth in immigration proceedings must face deportation without a lawyer. Pro bono attorneys willing to take a case can make a difference in their lives. Ready to work with immigrant children and youth? Check out these key resources.
Pro Bono Guide
CILA’s Pro Bono Guide covers essential advocacy skills that go beyond the black letter of the law and has an emphasis on practical tips to help you navigate your pro bono representation.
CILA Practice Toolkit
CILA developed this Practice Toolkit to guide new practitioners through working on an immigration case from beginning to end. The toolkit contains general guidance and tips on a variety of issues, from communications with clients to case management. A free CILA account is needed to access this resource. Sign up for an account here.
Fact Sheet: Unaccompanied Children at the Border
CILA's Fact Sheet provides some information regarding the systems involved in working with unaccompanied children at the Southern border, including general context to why children and youth make their journey to the United States, and what advocates can do to help.
Standards for the Custody, Placement and Care of Unaccompanied Children
The ABA's Standards for the Custody, Placement and Care; Legal Representation; and Adjudication of Unaccompanied Alien Children in the United States establishes guiding principles for children’s immigration law. CILA created a short FAQ about the Standards and how pro bono attorneys can use them in their advocacy efforts. A free CILA account is needed to access the FAQ. Sign up for an account here.
Tips for Working with Immigrant Children and Trauma-Informed Lawyering
This resource provides practical tips and important considerations when working with children in immigration cases. It includes visuals and additional resources for those who are new to children’s cases as well as for experienced practitioners. A free CILA account is needed to access this resource. Sign up for an account here.
ABA COI Volunteer Interest Form
Take a case, change a life! Every child deserves representation. Get involved by taking and available case on CILA's Pro Bono Matters for Children Facing Deportation platform. To get started, please complete the volunteer interest survey below.
Pro Bono Matters for Children Facing Deportation Platform
CILA's platform, Pro Bono Matters for Children Facing Deportation, allows attorneys to search and share available pro bono cases for unaccompanied children detained by the federal government or released to live with family members while in removal proceedings.
Pro Bono Newsletter and Community
Pro Bono Matters is a quarterly newsletter for pro bono attorneys and advocates interested in potentially engaging in pro bono opportunities to help children in their immigration matters, for those already involved with a case and seeking resources, or for anyone who wants to learn more about CILA and follow our work.
CILA's Community webpage provides information about our listservs, which serve as a space to collectively address gaps in services, share resources, and troubleshoot difficult questions.
The six working groups focus on different issues areas: (1) special immigrant juvenile status, (2) Houston SIJS, (3) children’s asylum law, (4) detained unaccompanied children, (5) social services, and (6) pro bono coordination. Attorneys and staff at legal service providers, pro bono attorneys, and private attorneys are all encouraged to participate in one or more of the working groups. All CILA working groups meet quarterly. To see when we are hosting our next working group, check out our calendar here.