Asylum Seekers in Need of Representation

Asylum seekers with attorneys are five times more likely to win their cases as those without counsel. Read about these Bay Area asylum seekers. Then volunteer to represent them today.  

These opportunities are only available for attorneys at San Francisco Bay Area law firms.

For pro bono placement with mentorship: 

“Mario”, his wife and son are from Peru. They are eligible for asylum based on their political opinion and religion. Mario may be subject to the TRIG Bar but there may be an exception due to his age and whether his activities were insignificant material support. Their individual hearing is scheduled for 1/30/2026 before IJ Kirchner at the San Francisco Immigration Court. 

“Renata” (25-0038905) is an indigenous Quechua woman from Peru. Renata is eligible for asylum based on her indigenous identity and membership in various particular social groups including gender. Renata is in the U.S. with her son, who is also eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. They do not appear to be subject to any bars to asylum. Their individual hearing is scheduled for 8/4/28 before IJ Chen at the San Francisco Immigration Court. Please note that this case deals with sexual assault and domestic violence.     

“Kevin” (25-0039400) is from Venezuela. He is eligible for asylum based on his sexual orientation and his anti-government political opinion. He missed his filing deadline for his asylum application by one week, but he likely qualifies for an exception to the one-year bar. He also has Colombian citizenship but likely qualifies for an exception to the firm resettlement bar due to threats he experienced in Colombia. Kevin’s first master hearing is scheduled for 4/24/26 at the San Francisco Immigration Court. His Immigration Judge is TBD. Please note that this case deals with childhood sexual abuse. 

“Julia” (25-0038905) and her two children are from Honduras. Julia is eligible for asylum based on her membership in various particular social groups, including political opinion and gender. She did not timely file her asylum application but appears to qualify for an exception to the One-Year Bar. Julia and her children’s next master hearing is scheduled for 2/19/26 before IJ Park at the San Francisco Immigration Court at 630 Sansome Street. Please note that this case deals with sexual assault and domestic violence.  

“Cristina” (A-6223) is a woman from El Salvador. Cristina is eligible for asylum based on her membership in various particular social groups, including family, disability, and gender. At age 14, Cristina left home to live with a partner and gave birth at 15 years old to her daughter “Jenny”, who was born with cerebral palsy. Jenny has a separate claim for asylum based on the harm she experienced due to her disability. Cristina finally fled to the U.S. with Jenny, arriving in September 2016. Due to difficulties caring for Jenny and incompetent legal representation, Cristina did not submit her asylum application until March 2023, after she fought to get her case reopened following previous incompetent representation. However, this ineffective assistance of counsel likely qualifies as an exception to the one-year bar to asylum. Cristina’s next master hearing is scheduled for 2/27/27 before IJ Davis at the San Francisco Immigration Court. 

To sign up to volunteer, please contact: Bekah Stroik, Immigrant Justice Program Manager: asylum@lccrsf.org.