Most asylum seekers arrive in the United States with few possessions and a complex legal case. Research has shown that legal representation is essential in ensuring due process for asylum-seekers and securing protection for those who could face torture or death if they returned home. According to a 2002 study at Georgetown University, asylum seekers are more than six times more likely to be granted asylum if they are represented by an lawyer. Yet the U.S. government does not provide legal counsel for asylum seekers in immigration proceedings, and many asylum seekers cannot afford to hire their own attorneys.

Thanks to the support of hundreds of pro bono attorneys from Chicago 's leading law firms, the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) has made critical advances in the lives of thousands of asylum seekers. NIJC provides legal services to more than 7,500 individuals each year and maintains a success rate of 90 percent in obtaining asylum for those fleeing persecution in their home countries. NIJC and its pro bono attorneys have been on the vanguard of federal impact litigation, setting new and improved precedents for those seeking human rights protections within our borders.

Drawing from this experience in direct legal representation, NIJC advocates for fair immigration reform that preserves American ideals of due process and human rights.

National Asylum Partnership on Sexual Orientation

Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act

Detention of Asylum Seekers and Expedited Removal

Material Support Bars and the Rights of Asylum Seekers