The South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR) seeks candidates for an Equal Justice Works Fellowship beginning in September 2024!
Opportunity
ProBAR seeks candidates for a 2024-2026 Equal Justice Works Fellowship for specific projects that address the unmet needs of immigrants in this southernmost border region of Texas. Those unmet needs include providing legal education to and working to empower recently arrived migrants who are processed by immigration authorities and seeking immediate, temporary immigration legal support.
In the Rio Grande Valley, we have a small network of humanitarian aid organizations, respite shelters, advocacy groups, and community-based organizations. The Fellow(s) will work in partnership with the community network to expand ProBAR’s reach and impact, especially as the need for immigration legal services exceeds the pro bono resources by a large margin. We seek to develop a Fellowship project that will expand access to counsel for many low-income individuals at risk of deportation. Fellow candidates will have the opportunity to collaborate with Legal Department leadership to shape the contours of this fellowship which may include a range of legal work – from direct representation to clinics to community outreach and rights education.
A Fellowship at ProBAR is an opportunity to launch a public interest career in immigration law while gaining a unique perspective on U.S. immigration law and policy from the frontlines. Fellows will be supported in this journey by a team of dedicated professionals who bring their diverse backgrounds and experiences to our services.
Organization
Founded in 1989, the American Bar Association’s South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR) empowers immigrants through high-quality legal education, representation, and connections to services. ProBAR serves immigrants and asylum-seekers in the Rio Grande Valley border region. Our team is excited to be of service to our community in new ways through this Fellowship!
Qualifications
- JD anticipated by May 2024, recent law graduate, or an experienced attorney seeking to make a career change from the private sector to public interest work.
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice. Prior volunteer or paid work experience regarding immigration or community-based outreach is preferred.
- Oral and written fluency in English and Spanish required.
Applications
Interested candidates should submit a resume and one-paragraph statement of interest to [email protected]g as soon as possible for consideration. Please use the subject line “Equal Justice Works Fellowship Candidate.”