When “David” first connected with the Political Asylum Immigration Representation Project (PAIR), he had fled years of abuse in Uganda because of his sexual orientation and was seeking safety in the United States. PAIR accepted his case in 2014 and matched him with a pro bono legal team from BBA sponsor firm McCarter & English LLP, whose attorneys helped draft his declaration, gather supporting documents, document country conditions in Uganda, prepare for oral testimony, and repeatedly advocate for his asylum interview to be scheduled.
That interview finally came in 2025. After more than a decade of waiting, David was granted asylum in 2026, and his attorneys are now helping him pursue his green card. His story shows how much can depend on having a lawyer willing to stay with a case, even when the process stretches on for years.
PAIR provides free immigration legal services to indigent asylum seekers and detained immigrants, primarily through a pro bono model. Volunteer attorneys allow the organization to extend its reach at a time when demand for legal assistance far exceeds available resources, though PAIR currently turns away about half of the people who seek its help because of limited funding and capacity.
For asylum seekers, representation is critical. PAIR notes that research has consistently found that people with attorneys are significantly more likely to succeed in their cases than those navigating the immigration system on their own.
“Every volunteer who takes on a PAIR asylum case helps ensure that individuals seeking safety and protection have a meaningful opportunity to be heard and to pursue a future free from persecution,” said PAIR Executive Director Anita P. Sharma.
Support Every Step of the Way
Attorneys do not need to practice immigration law to volunteer with PAIR. The organization provides training and close support that allow lawyers to bring their existing advocacy skills to an unfamiliar area of law, with each volunteer paired with a PAIR staff attorney who provides one-on-one mentoring throughout the case.
That support can include developing legal strategy, completing an asylum application, reviewing affidavits and supporting documents, identifying expert witnesses, and preparing the client for an asylum interview or court hearing. PAIR also helps connect volunteer teams with interpreters, translators, medical professionals, and country experts, while providing ongoing trainings, resources, and professional liability insurance. One volunteer described the work as “some of the most fulfilling and challenging work I do,” adding that PAIR’s training and resources have helped strengthen their representation as immigration law and policy continue to change.
Expanding Access Through Pro Bono Service
For PAIR, volunteers are central to how the organization serves its clients. Each attorney who takes a case allows PAIR to reach another person who might otherwise have to face the immigration system alone, while training and mentorship give volunteers the chance to build practical skills and learn from experienced immigration practitioners and advocates.
Attorneys interested in getting involved can begin through the 2026 Immigration Defense Training Series, presented by the Boston Bar Association in partnership with PAIR and made possible through the Boston Bar Foundation. The four-part series is designed to equip advocates with the tools to respond to major changes in immigration law, enforcement, and policy.
Learn more about the 2026 Immigration Defense Training Series and register.
