The Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coaltion is a non-profit in the DC area that brings together stakeholders — community groups, pro bono attorneys, volunteers and immigrants — to provide legal services to immigrants in the area.
It has a special track of work devoted to serving detained immigrants, who are being held in detention by ICE or the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Here is their description of their work:
CAIR Coalition is the only non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. area with a legal services program focused exclusively on assisting immigrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in local jails in Virginia and Maryland, and unaccompanied immigrant children being held in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement in Virginia. Detained immigrants served by CAIR Coalition include: long term residents of the United States; asylum seekers, many of whom are survivors of torture; women who are pregnant or have just given birth; and individuals who are seriously physically or mentally ill. The children we serve include those fleeing drug and gang violence. as well as those who have been the victims of domestic abuse in their home countries.
Adult Services include:
- Group legal orientations on the detention and removal process, the rights of detained immigrants and the legal options available to them.
- Consultations with a CAIR Coalition staff member or trained volunteer to discuss the specifics of an individual’s case.
- Assistance in securing legal representation with a pro bono attorney or a CAIR Coalition staff attorney in meritorious cases. These cases may involve protection-based relief (asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture;) Cancellation of Removal for Lawful and for non-Lawful Permanent Residents; U and T visas; Adjustment of Status; Refugee Waivers; and claims to United States citizenship
- Pro Se workshops to teach detained immigrants without attorneys how to apply for various immigration benefits and how to advocate for themselves in Immigration Court.
- Habeas petitions for individuals who are detained indefinitely and are eligible for habeas release under the Supreme Court decision in Zadvydas v. Davis.
- Representation at Credible Fear Interviews for asylum seekers at Dulles and BWI airports.
- Assistance with post release planning needs such as housing and referral to social services.
Children’s Services include:
- Group “Know Your Rights”presentations that provide the children with a brief overview of the U.S. immigration system and removal proceedings and give them information about their legal options.
- Consultations with a CAIR Coalition staff member to discuss the specifics of an individual child’s case.
- Accompanying children to immigration court.
- Securing pro bono legal counsel for children who are eligible for some type of relief which may include asylum, special immigrant juvenile status or a special visa for victims of human trafficking.
- Assistance with post release social service needs, including assisting youth who turn 18 to find housing.
It also has a Justice 4 Kids campaign that just launched this summer, to provide more representation to immigrant kids.
