Equal Justice Works Fellowships
To increase our capacity to provide high quality, free legal services to New Mexico’s low-income immigrant and refugee communities, this year we partnered with the Equal Justice Works (EJW) nonprofit organization to host six public service legal professionals on our staff. The COVID pandemic caused unprecedented economic challenges for immigrant and asylum seeker communities. These challenges have been exacerbated by a confluence of other factors — rising anti-immigrant sentiment, migration and asylum deterring US border policies like Title 42 and the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), pandemic-era political instability, war, and climate change that have caused more people to migrate or seek asylum. To respond to these critical needs, NMILC’s six Disaster Resilience Fellows will work to preserve human rights and support equitable economic recovery through legal services in the following areas: humanitarian crisis at the border, housing stability, and post-COVID economic recovery.
Humanitarian Crisis
Equal Justice Works (EJW) Fellows Sophia Genovese, Taylor Noya, and Anna Trillo addressed systemic barriers to accessing lawful immigration status, healthcare, and safe employment for asylum seekers fleeing humanitarian disasters. Over the past several months, they:
Provided comprehensive legal presentations and “know your rights” training to 300 detained migrants and asylum seekers, and submitted multiple civil rights complaints against ICE detention facilities in New Mexico.
Secured the release of 20 medically vulnerable migrant and asylum seekers from custody since April 2022.
Provided asylum presentations, pro se asylum application assistance, and direct representation of 80 Afghan refugee families, all together impacting over 400 individuals.
“The EWJ Disaster Resilience Fellowship has enabled our team to engage in creative advocacy and representation of incarcerated immigrants and asylum seekers. From large-scale presentations at ICE detention centers for immigrants about their rights and legal options, to community-based clinics to serve vulnerable populations, EJW has enabled us to do the work our community needs.”
“There is so much disinformation around asylum and immigration detention and such an immense lack of resources available to these marginalized populations. I am grateful that through this fellowship, I am able to meet and help so many extraordinary people.”
Housing Stability
Fellows worked with noncitizens needing housing protection due to job loss and medical problems in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters in New Mexico.
EJW Fellow Taylor Noya has won two eviction cases for immigrants fighting to keep their home. Taylor continues to take cases referred to NMILC from partnering organizations like New Mexico Legal Aid, who are unable to represent undocumented individuals, and from the University of New Mexico’s Law School.
“I believe safe, stable, and affordable housing is a human right to which all people are entitled regardless of their immigration status. Defending clients facing eviction and advocating for more humane housing policies in our state is my enormous honor.”
Post-Covid Economic Recovery
Fellows worked toward economic stability and mobility for immigrants through licensing, work permits, access to public benefits, and economic independence for community members in abusive relationships.
EJW Fellow Jazmin Irazoqui-Ruiz continued NMILC’s licensing efforts, successfully working with pro bono attorneys and the NM Supreme Court to amend Rule 15-103 NMRA to remove immigration status as a barrier to bar admission.
Jazmin is overseeing the implementation of first- and second-year legislative victories SB 137 and SB 219, directly representing clients before licensing boards that perpetuate barriers contrary to the bills. Furthermore, Jazmin is taking cases to identify systemic changes necessary to extend access to commercial licensing.
EJW Fellows Lizdebeth Carrasco and Jessica Arreola increased the capacity of our victims services team by taking on U-Visas, T Visas, and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) cases, focusing on survivors impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, Lizdebeth and Jessica have provided victim services to 54 individuals.
“I am beyond proud to continue NMILC’s important licensing campaign and have another historic victory through the amendment to Rule 15-103 NMRA, making us the 9th state to make law licenses available to all qualified applicants, regardless of immigration status. We will continue to support immigrant entrepreneurs and professionals through our economic justice programming and co-create an entrepreneurship ecosystem for immigrants.”
“Even though I am part of the immigrant community that I serve, the work I have done as an EJW fellow has shown me that we are impacted by things, like the pandemic, in very different ways. This has informed and influenced the way I approach the work.”
“One of the most impactful and meaningful things I’ve learned in this fellowship is how to be a trauma-informed advocate. We are dealing with very vulnerable clients and it is important to help them through this complex process in the most humane and dignified way possible.”
Learn More
In line with NMILC’s core values, Equal Justice Works looks to create a just society by mobilizing the next generation of lawyers committed to public service. Fellows serving with NMILC get a chance to develop their legal acumen while simultaneously finding their place in the legal profession and learning how to navigate institutional barriers.
Explore the work of current Equal Justice Works Fellows and alumni, learn more about their projects and inspiration, and view recent media coverage of their work.
(Picture: NMILC EJW fellows meet with other Resilience Program Fellows from across the nation during their monthly meeting.)