Colibrí Fellowship 2026: Celebrating Four Years of Growth and Making a Nationwide Impact
By: Hanna Guerrero
July 15th, 2026
The Colibrí Fellowship improves access to high-quality immigration legal services by offering free 9-month training for nonprofit workers to become DOJ-Accredited Representatives. It doubled in size from 2025 to 2026, expanding from two to four states, training 52 fellows in 2026.
The program aims to empower nonprofit staff seeking DOJ accreditation, especially those serving Black, Brown, and Immigrant communities, and to highlight accreditation as a legal career option.
Since its launch in 2022, the Colibrí Fellowship has expanded from Illinois to include Oregon, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin. This growth marks a significant milestone, transforming it into a national model for community-based immigration legal capacity. Fellows now enjoy a broader network of peers and mentors, enhancing their experiences and the impact of their work.
Today, 130 fellows from 63 organizations serve in these states, with a 100% accreditation approval rate. Most are immigrants or children of immigrants, speak over 37 languages, and are ages 19 to 72.
As accredited representatives, fellows will collectively provide legal support to over 20,000 immigrants annually, helping about 180 immigrants and families each. With 1,413 undocumented immigrants for every one charitable legal service provider and a shortage of bilingual attorneys, their work profoundly impacts those served.
Massachusetts and Wisconsin Celebrate Their First Cohorts
In 2026, the Colibrí Fellowship welcomed its first cohorts from Massachusetts and Wisconsin: 7 from Wisconsin and 10 from Massachusetts.
The Resurrection Project partnered with Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) and Centro Hispano of Madison.
The Massachusetts Class of 2026 comprises an exceptional group of 12 fellows representing 12 organizations from Massachusetts and Maine, who collectively speak 7 different languages.
In Wisconsin, the cohort comprises 7 fellows from 5 organizations.
Ginna Isunza, a Wisconsin Colibrí Fellowship graduate who went through the nine-month process, said she is excited to get to work.
“Because of the lack of bilingual people out there, this work is very important for us because we break the language barrier that exists,” Isunza told WMTV. “So we’re happy that we’re going to be able to provide those services now in our language and to our community.”
Oregon Celebrates Its 2nd Cohort
TRP’s partners at Innovation Law Lab in Oregon launched their second class of Colibrí Fellows in 2026. The second cohort includes 10 fellows from 7 organizations across Oregon who collectively speak 9 languages.
According to a 2024 report by Equity Corps of Oregon, there are only 291 immigration lawyers in Oregon, and only about 90 provide some level of immigration removal defense, underscoring the need for the fellows’ work.
Graduates of Illinois’ 4th Cohort
The class of 2026 includes 25 fellows from 23 organizations across Illinois and the first-ever from Indiana, who collectively speak 16 different languages.
The Illinois graduation ceremony included songs by Susana Ollin of Aztec Dance Chicago, speeches by Colibrí alumni and fellows, and Illinois State Representative Theresa Mah.
“I was an attorney in [Venezuela]. This graduation means a new opportunity for me and a new way to support my community. As an immigrant, I know we can use this experience to support more people and provide a greater service,” said 2026 Colibrí Fellow Mareinyeli (Yeli) Salima, who works at La Casa Norte.
Illinois State Rep. Theresa Mah, who is a daughter of immigrants, expressed gratitude for the work of TRP’s Colibrí Fellows.
“I’m very grateful to you all for committing yourselves and learning how to be the best advocates out there and to be part of this mission to improve the lives of immigrants,” said Rep. Mah.
This fellowship thrives due to the generous support of TRP’s funders and partners, including the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Walder Foundation, Abundant Futures, and the Lawyers Trust Fund. We extend our gratitude to our dedicated host organizations and training partners, Truth Racial Healing and Transformation, Organized Communities Against Deportations, DePaul University, and Villanova University. Their contributions make a transformative impact.
The applications for the 2027 Class are now closed. Learn more about the Colibrí Fellowship on our website and follow our LinkedIn page for updates on the program.
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The Resurrection Project (TRP) builds trusting relationships to educate and propel individuals, immigrants, and families to achieve their social and economic aspirations, stable homes, and equitable participation in their community. TRP is a leading provider of affordable housing, financial education, and immigration services on Chicago’s Southwest side.
During the past three decades, TRP has worked to improve the lives of individuals and families by creating wealth, building assets, and engaging residents to be catalysts for change. Rooted in the Pilsen community, TRP’s impact now extends across the City of Chicago and through the State of Illinois; we are making steady progress towards leveraging and preserving more than $1 billion in community wealth in 2025.