Capital Area Immigrants' Rights Coalition

The Capital Area Immigrants' Rights Coalition (CAIR Coalition) is now known as the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights. It is a nonprofit organization focused on providing free legal and social services to immigrant adults and children detained and at risk of deportation in the United States, particularly in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area and beyond.

History

Initially founded as a program of the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, the organization gained independent nonprofit status in 1999. Over the years, it has expanded its services, adding programs like the Children's Program and the Immigration Impact Lab. The Immigration Impact Lab focuses on impact litigation to drive systemic change in the immigration system.

Mission and Activities

The mission of the Amica Center is to provide unwavering legal defense and strategic litigation for immigrants facing detention or deportation. It aims to ensure equal justice for immigrant men, women, and children by offering services such as legal orientation, individual consultations, pro bono representation, and "Know Your Rights" trainings. The organization advocates for policies that protect immigrant rights and conducts community outreach and education.

Services

The Amica Center offers a variety of immigration legal services, including:

• Adjustment of Status
• Asylum applications
• Habeas Corpus
• NACARA
• Removal hearings
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
• T visas
• U visas

It provides representation at asylum interviews and before the Immigration Court and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Additionally, the organization assists with filings to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and federal court appeals.

Populations Served

The Amica Center serves a diverse population, including detained individuals, domestic violence victims, farmworkers, human trafficking survivors, individuals with criminal histories, individuals with physical or mental disabilities, juveniles, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Services are available for those in detention facilities across Maryland and Virginia.

Funding and Partnerships

The organization receives funding from grants and supports its work through partnerships with various legal and advocacy entities. Past funders have included the Immigrant Justice Corps, Vera Institute of Justice, and Virginia Law Foundation.

Operations

The Amica Center, serving over 1,500 individuals annually, relies on a network of volunteers and pro bono attorneys who contribute significantly to its operations. The organization operates across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, ensuring that detained immigrants have access to legal assistance and advocacy in multiple states.