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ProBAR Bulletin
South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project
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ProBAR staff celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. | |
Message from ProBAR Director Laura Peña | |
Amid continued challenges and opportunities at the border, I am grateful to be able to pause and reflect on the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month, a national celebration that runs from September 15 to October 15 annually. | |
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At ProBAR, nearly 95% percent of our staff identify as Latinx and about 70% grew up in our binational, culturally rich community in the Rio Grande Valley. We also celebrate that our Hispanic-majority team is diverse in a variety of ways: ethnic, racial, language, heritage, geography, age, sexual orientation and gender identity, and so many more distinctions create the beautiful fabric of ProBAR.
Read the full director's message here.
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Operation Lone Star and How ProBAR is Supporting Families Impacted
by Deputy Director Aimee Korolev
In mid-August, I joined our team at Port Isabel Detention Center to assist with our services and learn more about the current needs of the people we serve. I watched our talented team member provide a detailed Know Your Rights presentation when it quickly became apparent over half of the group of approximately 20 men had been transferred into ICE custody from a state jail run by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). They had been detained, pre-trial, under state misdemeanor criminal trespass charges as part of Texas Governor Abbott’s Operation Lone Star Program (OLS).
Read more.
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ProBAR in the Community: Summer 2023 Highlights | |
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Each quarter, the Outreach team represents ProBAR by organizing, hosting, and attending various initiatives and events across the Rio Grande Valley. Summer 2023 was a busy season! Read below to learn about some highlights from last quarter’s community engagement calendar and how you can connect with ProBAR.
Read more.
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Supplies for the Journey Ahead | |
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As people served by ProBAR are released from federal custody while awaiting removal proceedings, ProBAR staff offer information and support to help them safely reach their destinations. Our donor’s generous in-kind contributions of basic hygiene items, clothing, and related items will afford us the necessary resources to also provide crucial supplies for their travel.
Read more about this generous donation.
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ProBAR ¡Presente! at the 2023 Poverty Law Conference
Due to ProBAR’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border, the ProBAR team serves tens of thousands of individuals every year.
As the immigration legal landscape changes, ProBAR’s team is also positioned to share a unique perspective on the experiences of migrants as they arrive at our border and pursue their cases for immigration relief.
Several of our ProBAR team members presented and shared their expertise at this year’s State Bar of Texas Poverty Law Conference.
Read more.
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16 ProBARians Honored at Years of Service Event
At the end of August, ProBAR joined the rest of the ABA in celebrating colleagues who have amplified our mission for 5 and 10 years, respectively. Sixteen staff members were honored, whose combined work totals 95 years of service in “orchestrating justice,” as ABA Commission on Immigration Director, Meredith Linsky, poetically noted in her remarks.
Read more.
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The ABA's Impact at the Border: How ProBAR Makes a Difference for Immigrants and Asylum Seekers | |
Organized as part of the ABA's Donor Appreciation Month, the webinar shares staff and volunteer perspectives that highlight the importance of the legal services and representation our donors support, ProBAR's holistic approaches, and the impact of our work on the people we serve. | |
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On September 20, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced an extension and re-designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela for the next 18 months. This information sheet provides general information in response to common questions about TPS.
Access the resource here.
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Save the date for the American Bar Association’s fourth annual Giving Day on Thursday, October 26, 2023! Giving Day allows supporters to demonstrate their support for various ABA programs - including ProBAR - that advance democracy, equity, and justice through financial contributions.
All are invited to stand with ProBAR by donating at whatever level they are able. You may also visit our ABA Giving Day Toolkit webpage to learn how to update your Zoom background, share Giving Day content on social media, and more.
The dedicated portal for donations is live, and early donations are welcome to build momentum toward Giving Day on October 26.
Thank you for your support as we continue fighting for access to justice!
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A Look into ProBAR’s Summer 2023 Legal Fellowship Experience | |
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During Summer 2023, ProBAR was excited to implement a paid law student fellowship program for the first time, and five law students studying at institutions across the country joined our team in the Rio Grande Valley.
Itzia Paulina Cumes Irurita, a 2L law student at the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, joined us this summer and shared some reflections on her fellowship experience shortly after its conclusion.
Read about Paulina's experience here.
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ProBAR understands just how important it is to build connections. Whether attending a conference, organizing information sessions, or participating in career fairs, we want those interested in our work to know that there are many opportunities to get involved in support of ProBAR’s mission.
Learn more.
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The South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR), a project of the American Bar Association, is hiring across various departments!
By joining ProBAR, you can surround yourself with a diverse and growing team of passionate advocates who serve unaccompanied children, adults, and families on the frontlines of immigration.
ProBAR is currently hiring for several positions in our Legal, Shelter Services, and Release Support departments.
Working at ProBAR presents an opportunity to practice law with humanity. Watch this video to learn more about our work and our ProBAR team.
Visit our job board to view our current job openings!
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Pro Bono Opportunities
If you are an attorney interested in getting involved or learning more about our pro bono opportunities, fill out our Pro Bono Interest Form. Any questions can be sent to volunteer@abaprobar.org.
Remote Translation Program
ProBAR's Remote Translation Program is also accepting volunteer applications! If you or someone you know possess a language ability in addition to English and want to make a difference by providing crucial translation support, please fill out our Remote Translation Program Interest Form. Questions can be directed to volunteer@abaprobar.org.
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Support ProBAR
Show your support for ProBAR's work through a one-time or recurring gift. Make a donation today.
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ABA | South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project
202 S. 1st Street
Suite 300
Harlingen, Texas 78550
Visit our website!
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