Think Immigration: How Pro Bono Cases Change Lives

The practice of immigration law is uniquely positioned at the intersection of human rights and legal advocacy. For many attorneys, pro bono (volunteer or no cost) work is more than a professional obligation—it’s a calling. In a system that can be complex and unforgiving, offering skilled legal assistance to vulnerable individuals can be the difference between life and death, freedom and persecution. Through pro bono service, immigration attorneys not only help clients navigate the legal labyrinth—they also restore hope, preserve families, and empower voices that might otherwise be silenced. The following cases highlight the life-changing impact of this work and the personal fulfillment that comes with using our legal training for good.

Mr. W – Fleeing the Taliban After a Life of Advocacy

Afghanistan has endured decades of violent conflict and natural disasters, resulting in one of the world’s most significant humanitarian crises. Mr. W, an Afghan national, consistently worked to improve conditions in his country by supporting the U.S. government, military, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in their missions to foster progress. As a result, he became a target of the Taliban, who routinely persecute those striving to better Afghan society.

Over the years, Mr. W played key roles in initiatives directly opposing the Taliban. He worked for a U.S.-funded NGO that helped more than 2,500 Afghans find employment after the Taliban’s fall in 2002. He also contributed to major construction projects backed by the U.S. and Afghan governments. Until the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021, Mr. W was employed by the Afghan government and hosted a radio program supporting the Afghan National Army. His career was defined by a commitment to a free Afghanistan, even as he knowingly became a high-profile enemy of the Taliban.

When the Taliban seized control in August 2021, Mr. W and his entire family faced immediate and grave danger. They were frequently pursued. Taliban members even appeared at his daughter’s school to track her and her father. With the assistance of a pro bono attorney, Mr. W and his family fled to Pakistan in September 2021, taking temporary shelter in a refugee camp. In March 2024, they arrived in Chicago, Illinois, via Humanitarian Parole. Today, they are safely living and working in the U.S. as their asylum applications are pending.

Mr. X – A U.S. Army Sergeant Saving His Siblings

Another powerful example of life-changing pro bono work involves Mr. X, a 21-year-old U.S. Army sergeant who fought to bring his five younger half-siblings to safety. Mr. X was born in the Central African Republic and raised in Chad before resettling in the United States as a refugee at age 12. After completing high school in Arizona, he enlisted in the Army in 2021.

Tragedy struck when Mr. X’s mother passed away during childbirth, leaving his siblings without adequate care. While attending her funeral in Chad, Mr. X witnessed firsthand the harsh conditions his siblings were living in. Though he arranged for extended family to care for them temporarily, his goal was to legally adopt and bring them to the U.S.

Mr. X filed five I-130 petitions, all of which were denied due to a statutory requirement that adoptive parents must have had legal custody for at least two years. With the help of a pro bono attorney, Mr. X pivoted to seeking Humanitarian Parole. He provided evidence of financial stability and assurances the children would not become a public charge. To address the urgency of their situation, the attorney contacted Senator Mark Kelly’s office in Arizona, which successfully expedited the process.

Within 30 days of approval, Mr. X brought all five siblings to the U.S. in June 2024. Today, they are enrolled in school and thriving in their new life.

Ms. Y – A Family of Human Rights Advocates Forced to Flee

Our final example highlights the story of Ms. Y, a courageous Afghan educator and activist whose family has been targeted by the Taliban for decades. Ms. Y was born into a family known for its commitment to social justice and gender equality. Her father, a vocal advocate for girls’ education and human rights, established a school in their predominantly Hazara village in the early 1990s. When the Taliban seized power in 1994 and banned girls from receiving education, he became a marked man. Forced to flee Afghanistan, he later returned in 2001 after the Taliban’s fall and founded an award-winning school that educated more than 3,000 students.

In addition to her father’s prominence, Ms. Y’s own activism put her at serious risk. As an educator, she championed academic opportunities for girls and partnered with aid organizations to fund their education. She also founded two businesses that encouraged learning and exposed students to Western culture—activities strictly forbidden under Taliban rule.

Before fleeing, Ms. Y’s neighborhood was violently attacked multiple times, and her father received repeated threats. Ultimately, the family made the heartbreaking decision to leave their home. Thanks to the tireless work of pro bono attorneys, Ms. Y was granted asylum in 2023. Her family’s applications remain pending.

These cases remind us that immigration law is not just about forms and statutes—it’s about lives. Each story reflects the power of legal advocacy to transform futures and preserve human dignity. As immigration attorneys, we have the unique privilege and responsibility to use our skills in service of those with nowhere else to turn. Pro bono work not only changes the lives of clients—it can deeply enrich our own.