NMTLA News:

ALBUQUERQUE — As federal immigration raids intensify and detention centers fill with people seeking asylum, the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association (NMTLA) is taking bold action to ensure every person has access to justice.

In partnership with the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, the Immigration Justice Campaign, and the ACLU of New Mexico, NMTLA hosted a free Continuing Legal Education (CLE) training to prepare attorneys to provide pro bono legal representation to detained immigrants.

The response was overwhelming — more than 350 attorneys joined the virtual session to learn how to navigate the complex world of immigration law and stand up for those caught in the system.

To represent clients in immigration court, attorneys must also be credentialed in El Paso, Texas — the nearest immigration court to New Mexico. So far, more than 20 New Mexico attorneys have completed this process, with dozens more in progress.

“Trial lawyers are looking for meaningful ways to serve in this climate, where immigration rules are changing by the day,” Attorney Rachel Higgins said. “There are so many people in detention seeking asylum. This is a concrete way we can make a difference.”

Following the CLE, each volunteer attorney was paired with a mentor—an experienced immigration lawyer offering guidance and support. “These mentors are the best advocates in the field,” Higgins said. “They show us exactly where we can be most effective—and stand beside us every step of the way.”

Each attorney donates an average of 40 to 50 hours per case, offering critical representation to people in detention with no opportunity for parole.

“Through this effort, we’ve boosted the number of lawyers representing asylum seekers in detention by at least 40%,” Higgins said. “It’s been an incredible, humbling experience.”