The right of legal representation is fundamental to our judicial system. However, there are no free public lawyers for immigration cases, unlike in our criminal system. Without legal advice, detainees, even those with U.S. citizen children and spouses, remain detained for months or years. Many have valid claims for release from detention and for remaining in the U.S., but do not understand their basic rights or have access to counsel.

PAIR counsels, advises, and represents over 300 non-citizen immigration detainees each year from over 65 countries. We give Know Your Rights Presentations (KYRs) to detainees inside the jails; provide legal materials and sample forms; distribute PAIR's Self-Help Manual; and make referrals to our Reduced Fee Panel for those with resources.

Due to major changes in immigration law in 1996 and the events of September 11, 2001, the number of immigrants in detention is steadily growing. PAIR is committed to educating detainees and assisting those whose detention is unjustified.

Detention and Removal Operations - Burlington Field Office: (781) 359-7500

DHS Immigration Detention Facilities in New England:

New Bedford Raid Response

Through the Robert J. Hildreth Fellowship, PAIR is representing in-house and through pro bono counsel factory workers whose lives were turned upside down by the Immigration raid in New Bedford in March 2007. The PAIR Fellow represents New Bedford clients herself; recruits, trains and mentors volunteer lawyers to represent other New Bedford clients; seeks release on bond; drafts model motions and other pleadings for submission in Immigration Court and in federal court; organizes training sessions for pro bono attorneys; tracks the status of cases; and coordinates PAIR’s work with other local and national service providers responding to this crisis. If you are interested in representing a client pro bono, volunteering as an interpreter in Spanish or Quiche, or donating to this effort, please contact Elizabeth Badger.