FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2021
Contact: Allyce Bailey, Esquire
Phone: (504) 215-0111
Email: Abailey@nationalbar.org
The National Bar Association Issues Call to Action Seeking Support for Pro Bono Legal Services to Benefit Haitian Migrants
Washington, D.C. (October 4, 2021)- The National Bar Association (NBA) is pleased to announce its official partnership with Haitian Bridge Alliance, Inc. to galvanize Black lawyers across the United States to provide pro bono legal services to the roughly eight thousand Haitian migrants detained in detention centers across the U.S. or released to a family member.
Last month, roughly fifteen thousand Haitian women, children, and elderly arrived at the Del Rio, Texas border primarily from Chile and Brazil. These individuals are unable to return to their home country, the Republic of Haiti, partly due to insecurity concerns and/or fear of persecution. The National Bar Association is committed to working with our partner, Haitian Bridge Alliance, and other organizations to protect and defend the legal rights of Haitian migrants. Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), also known as “The Bridge,” is a coalition of Haitian non-profit organizations and community activists who have come together to serve the Haitian community in California and beyond. “None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody – a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony, or a few nuns – bent down and helped us pick up our boots.”- Thurgood Marshall. In the spirit of service, the President of the National Bar Association, the Honorable Carlos Moore, has committed to personally participate in the pro bono efforts. Moore is now calling on lawyers across the United States to join the NBA in helping our brothers and sisters by providing pro bono legal services to Haitian migrants. “Your contribution could be life-changing for those who are merely seeking to pursue life, liberty, and happiness,” Moore stated.
Lawyers who are interested in providing pro bono legal services, should click the button below, complete the form, and they will be contacted by a member of the NBA team for further instructions.
For more information on substantive matters, please contact Attorney Allen Orr, who leads the Immigration Law section through the NBA at Allenorr@orrimmigration.com. He will also facilitate training on humanitarian parole for lawyers who are interested.
If you are a member of the NBA, and interested in providing pro bono legal services, email jleblanc@nationalbar.org name and your law firm’s name for proper acknowledgment after registering.