The Detention Project provides legal orientation and representation to immigrant adults and children who are held by the U.S. government in immigration detention.

Experienced staff attorneys and paralegals also visit immigration detention centers in Illinois and Wisconsin to conduct presentations explaining to detainees what their rights are under U.S. immigration law. During these visits, detainees may meet one-on-one with a National Immigrant Justice Center staff member and may obtain legal representation for their immigration case.

Contact information for the National Immigrant Justice Center detention intake line should be posted near the phones at Illinois and Wisconsin detention centers so that detainees can locate legal aid. Family members and friends may also contact NIJC on behalf of loved ones who are detained.