The following is a list of resources and contacts related to immigration advocacy in the Las Cruces-El Paso Area.
Read moreImmigrant Advocacy Resources in the Las Cruces- El Paso Area
Volunteer Resources
Resources for those who are visitors of or pen pals with individuals held in ICE immigration detention.
What is “pro se”, and where to find resources
Most people held in immigration detention do not have legal representation. This makes it very difficult for them to pursue their cases. While immigration detention facilities are supposed to provide legal materials in different languages to those in detention, they often do not. And the legal materials provided often do not include basic guides that might help someone who is representing themselves (pro se), and who doesn’t know where to begin. This post provides some links to pro se materials that can be provided to those in detention.
Release on Bond
Volunteers may encounter individuals who have an opportunity to be released from immigration detention on bond. This post provides a brief background to bond requests, links to resources, and a cautionary note about bond scams.
Bond Scams and Avoiding Them
When someone in immigration detention is given the opportunity to be released on bond, it can be a mixed blessing. If the bond is too high, those desperate to be released may look for anyway to come up with the amount. This post addresses the problem of bond scams, and one well-know predatory company to avoid.
Parole and Sponsorship
Volunteers are often asked to help someone in detention find a sponsor for release on parole. This post briefly discusses how to help someone find a sponsor.
Parole Requests and How to Help
Volunteers, at one point or another, visit or write to individuals who ask for help with requesting parole from ICE. This post provides a bit of background on parole, but focuses on how volunteers who visit or write to detained migrants can help.
Asylum Flow Charts
Given the complexity of the asylum process, several volunteers expressed a desire to see it represented as a flow chart. This post rounds up a few asylum flow charts already circulating the internet.
Seeking pro bono representation
Lack of legal representation in immigration proceedings is an acute issue, particularly in southern New Mexico and West Texas. A lack of either pro bono or low cost immigration attorneys is probably the biggest reason why so many respondents are left with no other option than pro se. Volunteers are often seeking information on how to help the detained migrants they visit or write to obtain pro bono legal help. This post provides some resources.
ICE detention centers in our service area
This document provides information on the ICE detention centers are located in our organization’s service area: 1) the El Paso Service Processing Center (EPSPC), 2) the Otero County Processing Center (OCPC), and 3) the West Texas Detention Facility (WTDF). Here you will find the address and contact information for each facility along with links to maps, directions, and related documents.
What is ICE immigration detention?
This post describes the purpose of US immigration detention, explains some of the problems that the US government recognizes regarding immigration detention, cites government reports documenting that alternatives to detention are effective, and illustrates how alternatives are considerably cheaper.