The Community Immigration Law Center (CILC), a 501(c)(3) organization, offers necessary services to its community: free legal representation to detained non citizens in removal proceedings (must meet eligibility requirements) and a free walk-in immigration clinic. While the clinic has operated since 2009, CILC obtained funding in 2017 for an in-house attorney to represent clients. For detention and removal clients, CILC provides high-quality representation at all stages of immigration court proceedings both in detention and after release from detention, including master calendar hearings, bond proceedings, competency hearings, merits hearings, as well as USCIS applications and proceedings, BIA appeals, remands from the BIA, and state court proceedings related to immigration relief (“Scope of Representation”). When appropriate, CILC seeks to refer clients in need of additional representation services for post-conviction relief or post-BIA appeals. Alternatively, CILC may choose to provide such additional representation services for clients at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. CILC also offers a free walk-in clinic (Community Immigration Law Clinic) every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month from 1:30-5pm. The clinic is first-come, first-serve, and each person receives a private consultation with a volunteer immigration lawyer about their case. CILC provides referrals to immigration attorneys in the community who may be able to provide pro bono representation or representation at a reduced fee. CILC works closely with the Immigrant Justice Center (IJC) at the UW Law School and obtains detailed information during its interviews that is useful in referring individuals to IJC for a determination of whether IJC will provide representation. While the clinic has no geographic eligibility requirements, CILC does expect clients to be from low-income households and within the Dane county area.
