Statewide Volunteer Opportunities

Only 14% of detained immigrants have access to legal counsel. Below you will find incredible organizations in Southern and Northern California that need your support in providing pro bono legal assistance to refugee and migrant communities.

Northern California Opportunities

Centro Legal de la Raza provides legal representation and consultations to over 5,000 immigrants each year, including hundreds of unaccompanied children and families seeking refuge in the United States and immigrants who have been the victims of violent crimes. Contact Karem Herrera to receive training and take on a case that needs urgent pro bono representation.

Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto's (CLSEPA) Pro Bono Program has worked with hundreds of volunteer attorneys to represent and assist unaccompanied minors and families in deportation proceedings. Please contact CLSEPA here for a list of current cases that are in need of pro bono representation. They provide training and mentorship to their pro bono volunteers.

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) partners with individual attorneys, law firms, corporations and bar associations to represent migrant and refugee children in deportation proceedings. Volunteers don’t need to have immigration experience. KIND trains and mentors volunteers throughout their cases. Contact Katie Annand for more information.

Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights - Asylum Pro Bono Project provides volunteers the opportunity to represent, counsel and assist refugees who have escaped persecution and torture. No experience is needed and opportunities are open to attorneys, interpreters and mentor attorneys. Get involved and sign-up here.

Legal Services for Children provides free representation to immigrant children in detention and deportation proceedings. Legal Services to Children provides volunteers with training materials, reference guides and supervision. Sign up to volunteer here.

The Tahirih Justice Center provides volunteers the opportunity to represent, counsel and assist refugees who are escaping gender-based persecution and torture. No experience is needed, and opportunities are open to attorneys and interpreters. Sign-up here and you will have access to training, resources and mentorship.

Take Action: Support Refugees in Tijuana

As 7,000+ refugee children, elders and individuals flee widespread political persecution, gang violence and discrimination from Central America in the largest caravan in decades, it is vital that we, as a legal community, come together and provide immediate and concrete legal support for the people seeking asylum in our country.

The U.S. government is attempting to deny the right to asylum and has been violating U.S. and international law. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) is denying asylum seekers their right to request asylum and is illegally restricting the asylum application process. There is a tremendous need for legal support during this rapidly changing humanitarian crisis, in order for asylum seekers to receive accurate legal information on immigration law and the asylum process so they understand their options and are prepared when they are able to present their case.