Call for out-of-state attorneys to provide pro bono legal services to SIJS cases
In 2023, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed HB 15, The Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Classification Act (the Act). This effectively changed the cut-off age for SIJS cases in New Mexico from 18 years of age to 21, and helped approximately 4,000 additional immigrant youth become eligible for SIJS in NM. While this was a huge victory for young immigrants seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, it placed a burden on an already overworked segment: immigration lawyers.
Compared to the rest of the country, New Mexico has far fewer qualified attorneys to work these types of cases. New Mexico Immigrant Law Center provides free legal services with just five Children's Program attorneys and a small amount of pro bono attorneys (either in-state or out-of-state) to help manage its caseloads. Providing services pro bono on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) cases through the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC) makes a meaningful impact on the well-being and opportunities available to young immigrants living in the state.
The NMIL’Cs mission is to advance justice and equity by empowering low-income immigrant communities through collaborative legal services, advocacy, and education. SIJS cases are very important to NMILC as it is a unique remedy that allows immigrant children within the state who cannot reunify with one or both parents due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment to pursue lawful permanent residency. Obtaining this status will help provide young immigrants a path to lawful permanent residence and can drastically change the trajectory of a young person's life.
Watch the video below to learn about the ways SIJS positively impacts our clients' lives!
Why should out-of-state attorneys volunteer to work SIJS cases in New Mexico?
NM is a under-resourced state, with a very small state bar and a huge need for immigration legal services. New Mexico has only 8,600 attorneys in its State Bar, and over 1,000 of those attorneys practice outside of the state. That leads to roughly 26 lawyers for every 10,000 residents.
Compare that to the roughly 160,000 attorneys in California, 93,000 attorneys in Florida, 140,000 attorneys in New York, and 108,816 in Texas – and consider the acute need for immigration attorneys in a border state – it is clear that New Mexico needs out-of-state pro bono support!
Currently, NMILC has a waitlist of 178 cases total determined SIJS eligible, many of whom are facing urgent deadlines before their age-out of eligibility.
Out-of state pro bono attorneys can provide remote representation and court appearances (no need to travel!) and are provided with training/mentorship throughout the pro bono process.
For NMILC to successfully serve its mission, it relies on assistance from pro bono attorneys who are willing to obtain time-sensitive predicate orders necessary to begin SIJS proceedings. No immigration or family law experience required! NMILC provides pro hac vice guidance (for out of state attorneys to serve in NM), templates, mentorship, and interpretation/translation. In some cases cases, pro bono attorneys experienced in immigration law have chosen to complete the immigration case, but this is not required.
Get involved today to ensure that immigrant youth in NM can receive the services they need before the age-out of SIJS eligibility!
Fill out our Pro Bono Inquiry Form here to get started.
For additional questions or more information, please email
