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Immigrant Justice Leadership Academy
Colibrí Fellowship for DOJ Accreditation
The Colibrí Fellowship for DOJ Accreditation is open to immigrant serving nonprofits whether or not they are currently recognized by the DOJ. Our goal is to train future non-attorney legal representatives to strengthen the capacity of community-based legal aid organizations.
Colibrís (hummingbirds) are the smallest long-distance migrating birds. The fellowship symbolizes an opportunity to uplift immigrant leadership, many of whom may otherwise not be able to access to the legal profession.
The fellowship seeks to:
- Open the legal profession to Black, Brown and Immigrant communities
- Increase the number of legal professionals particularly in areas outside of metro Chicago
- Increase the number of bilingual and bicultural legal professionals
The activities and trainings agendas we put together are informed by our four pillars:
- Robust Technical & Legal Knowledge
- Immigrant Justice
- Relationship Building
- Professional Growth
Fellows will participate in both virtual and in-person training components, including:
- Enrollment in Villanova Interdisciplinary Immigration Studies Training for Advocates (VIISTA)
- One-hour weekly virtual classes
- 10-15 hours of assignments each week
- Monthly in-person trainings at participating host organizations
- Two overnight retreats
- Group Mentorship sessions with experienced DOJ Representatives
- Opportunities to shadow various immigrant legal service providers and get hands-on practice experience at legal clinics and workshops
- Immigration Court observation (Full track)
- 1:1 consultation to prepare and review DOJ accreditation application
2023 Program Impact
Program Eligibility
The Colibrí Fellowship for DOJ Accreditation is open to immigrant serving nonprofits whether or not they are currently recognized by the DOJ. Organizations nominate individuals who plan to seek partial or full DOJ accreditation. Due to the unique training needed for full accreditation, the fellowship offers two course track options that run simultaneously, in addition to regular joint training and activities.
- Non-accredited individuals must plan to apply for partial accreditation (or full if individual has sufficient immigration law experience and training). Partially accredited individuals must plan to apply for full accreditation. All participants must submit applications within 6 months of their completion of the fellowship.
- Nominating organization must serve immigrants in Illinois, Wisconsin, or Indiana.
- For organizations not yet recognized by the DOJ, the organization must commit to submitting both applications for recognition and Fellow’s application for accreditation within 6 months of their completion of the fellowship.
Application Process and Program Dates
Application for 2025 Cohort has now closed. Application for 2026 cohort will open in the Summer of 2025. If you would like to learn more about the fellowship and see if it is the right fit for you and your organization, please contact Lilia Escobar at [email protected]
Meet the Class of 2025
ARISE Chicago
Partial Accreditation Track
Alejandra Campos has been working as a DALE Coordinator at Arise Chicago since December 2023. Alejandra first sought out the organization looking for support with poor working conditions and unpaid overtime. She would shortly after join Arise’s staff and enjoys working to empower working people and supporting them in persevering in their own fights.
Before joining Arise Chicago as a Deferred Action and Labor Enforcement (DALE) Coordinator, Alejandra was a chef responsible for the supervision of sixteen staff at a downtown Chicago restaurant. In her spare time, Alejandra enjoys spending time with her two daughters and exhibiting her talents in the kitchen.
Chicago Worker’s Collaborative
Partial Accreditation Track
AKWAABA QC
Partial Accreditation Track
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chica
Full Accreditation Track
International Institute of Wisconsin
Full Accreditation Track
Spanish Community Center
Partial Accreditation Track
Casa Michoacán
Partial Accreditation Track
Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago
Partial Accreditation Track
Arab American Family Services
Partial Accreditation Track
Hanul Family Alliance
Full Accreditation Track
The Resurrection Project
Full Accreditation Track
Irish Community Services
Full Accreditation Track
The Immigration Project
Partial Accreditation Tracck
Institute for Latino Progress
Partial Accreditation Track
Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors
Partial Accreditation Track
United African Organization
Partial Accreditation Track
Trellus
Partial Accreditation Track
ARISE Chicago
Partial Accreditation Track
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic
Partial Accreditation Track
Centro de Trabajadores Unidos
Partial Accreditation Track
Casa Michoacan
Partial Accreditation Track
Centro de Información Elgin
Partial Accreditation Track
AKWAABA QC
Partial Accreditation Track
Chicago Worker’s Collaborative
Partial Accreditation Track
Partners for Our Communities
Partial Accreditation Track
Agents of Hope Training & Information Center
Partial Accreditation Track
Class of 2024
Syrian Community Network
Full Accreditation Track
Centro Romero
Full Accreditation Track
Ascend Justice
Full Accreditation Track
Raise the Floor Alliance
Partial Accreditation Track
Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors
Full Accreditation Track
Northern Alliance for Immigrants
Partial Accreditation Track
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services
Partial Accreditation Track
The Immigration Project
Partial Accreditation Track
United African Organization
Partial Accreditation Track
Illinois Migrant Council
Partial Accreditation Track
Partners for Our Communities
Partial Accreditation Track
Youth and Family Center of McHenry County
Partial Accreditation Track
Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago
Partial Accreditation Track
Children’s Legal Center
Full Accreditation Track
Vietnamese Association of Illinois
Full Accreditation Track
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic
Partial Accreditation Track
HANA Center
Partial Accreditation Track
Farmworker Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP)
Partial Accreditation Track
Class of 2023
HANA Center
Partial Accreditation Track
Legal Aid Chicago
Full Accreditation Track
Western Illinois DREAMers
Partial Accreditation Track
Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors
Partial Accreditation Track
Spanish Community Center
Partial Accreditation Track
Jewish Child & Family Services (HIAS)
Partial Accreditation Track
Muslim Women Resource Center
Partial Accreditation Track
Binational Institute of Human Development
Partial Accreditation Track
Partners for Our Communities
Partial Accreditation Track
Erie Neighborhood House
Full Accreditation Track
United African Organization
Full Accreditation Track
Centro Romero
Full Accreditation Track
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic
Partial Accreditation Track
Enlace Chicago
Partial Accreditation Track
The Resurrection Project
Full Accreditation Track
Vietnamese Association of Chicago
Partial Accreditation Track
National Immigrant Justice Center
Full Accreditation Track
Indo-American Center
Partial Accreditation Track
The Immigration Project
Partial Accreditation Track
Chicago Workers Collaborative
Partial Accreditation Track
Centro Romero
Partial Accreditation Track
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the eligibility requirements for DOJ accreditation?
Eligibility requirements are found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 8 C.F.R. § 1292.11–1292.20, which include demonstrating that the individual:
- Has the character and fitness to represent clients before DHS and/or EOIR;
- Is employed by or is a volunteer of the organization;
- Is not an attorney, as defined by 8 C.F.R. § 1001.1(f);
- Has not resigned while a disciplinary investigation or proceeding is pending or is the subject of an order restricting the individual in the practice of law;
- Has not been found guilty of, or pleaded guilty to, a serious crime; and
- Possesses broad knowledge and adequate experience in immigration law and procedure.
Can organizations who do not currently have a legal services program participate?
Yes. Organizations should either have existing legal service programs or be looking to develop their legal services within the next year and will be expected to apply for DOJ recognition and the Fellow’s DOJ accreditation within 6 months following the completion of the Fellowship.
What is the difference between the partial and full track?
Partial accreditation allows non-attorneys to represent immigrants before USCIS in affirmative cases.
Full accreditation allows non-attorneys to represent immigrants before USCIS and EOIR (the Immigration Court) for both affirmative and defensive cases.
Both tracks will have opportunities to learn jointly, while completing coursework specific to their track. The partial track will focus on immigration law and knowledge needed for affirmative representation and individuals new to the immigration legal field. Full track participants are expected to already have base knowledge and experience in immigration; Full track training will focus on the skills needed to represent immigrants in court.
Click here for more information on DOJ accreditation and recognition program.
Can someone who has already applied for accreditation apply for the fellowship?
If you apply for partial DOJ Accreditation before the start of the fellowship, then you may only apply to participate in the full track. However, if the individual does not have substantial experience in immigration legal services, we recommend that they defer from applying that year so they may get experience as a partially accredited representative before beginning to work toward full accreditation.
I plan to attend law school or take the bar and am seeking accreditation in order to practice law in the meantime, is this fellowship a good fit for me?
We would not recommend the fellowship for someone in this position. The program was designed to strengthen the legal profession for individuals for whom law school is not accessible or not something that they want to do.
I am an Executive Director (or I do not do client-facing work) but I would like to launch a legal clinic at my organization, should I apply for the fellowship?
This fellowship is a program for training legal representatives and is designed for individuals who will provide direct services. We do not recommend this program to individuals who will not be providing services. If you are looking for support in creating a legal clinic, please refer to our Learning Labs program.
Can an organization nominate more than one individual for the Fellowship?
An organization can nominate more than one individual for the fellowship; however, spots are limited in the program.
Is there a fee to participate in the Fellowship?
No, there is no cost to participate. The program will cover meals at all in-person sessions and lodging for overnight retreats.
More information
For more information, please contact Rocío Pulido, Senior Program Manager, Immigrant Justice Leadership Academy at [email protected].
Funding for the Colibrí Fellowship provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Office of Welcoming Centers for Refugee and Immigrant Services, the Lawyers Trust Fund, and Abundant Futures.