STORIES OF HOPE

Tomas

“Tomas” fled El Salvador due to severe domestic abuse. He came to the U.S. but was detained by immigration. With PAIR's help, Tomas won Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and the right to stay in the U.S, to finish his education and become a productive member of his community.  

Zara​​​​​​​

“Zara” from Ecuador faced severe beating, bullying, & social isolation due to her sexual orientation. Zara fled to the U.S. With PAIR's help, Zara won her case and was granted asylum. Today, she has rebuilt her life and has opened her own beauty salon.  

Fatima

“Fatima” fled Sierra Leone to the U.S. due to the civil war and a forced marriage. During the war, her children fled to a refugee camp in Guinea. With PAIR's help, she was granted asylum and reunited with her children. Fatima is now a U.S. citizen and a volunteer interpreter for PAIR. 

PAIR relies on volunteers with diverse skills, including attorneys to represent PAIR clients and to advise detained immigrants, interpreters, those willing to conduct asylum intake, medical professionals, and more. Click the button below if you're interested in becoming a PAIR volunteer.

PAIR At A Glance

Pro Bono Asylum Program 

PAIR serves asylum seekers who have overcome unspeakable horrors to forge new lives in safety and freedom. Asylum seekers are five times more likely to
win their case if represented. PAIR takes a holistic, client-centered approach to client services, from intake to asylum relief, and continuing on with family reunification and assistance with asylee green cards. PAIR’s asylum program has assisted thousands of immigrants to date and has an astonishing success rate of over 95%. 

Justice for Immigrant Families

First formed as an initiative in 2018, the JFF Program provides specialized legal care and referral coordination, supporting family units to access the immigration system in partnership with other community organizations. Most of the clients in this program are survivors of severe trauma, including familial and community violence, suffer from post-traumatic disorder, and face language barriers in accessing immigration relief.

Detention Program

PAIR is the only nonprofit in Massachusetts with negotiated access to provide legal orientation at all detention facilities where immigrants are detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Detained immigrants are one of the most under-served populations, hidden from view and with no right to free counsel. Detained immigrants are twice as likely to win relief with representation, making access to counsel vital. PAIR serves over 700 detention clients per year. 

Community "Know Your Rights"

After the 2016 elections, PAIR was faced with a surge of clients in need, as immigrants worried about their safety and ability to remain in the U.S. in light of the increased enforcement and harsh changes to law. PAIR partners with fellow nonprofits, public and charter schools, neighborhood centers, colleges, healthcare providers, and more to bring its “Know Your Rights” presentations to the public. These presentations empower immigrants of varying circumstances to understand and use their constitutional rights.

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