IJC celebrates twelve years, welcomes new board president
Twelve years ago, the late Judge Robert A. Katzmann’s vision of meeting the legal needs of the immigrant poor became a reality with the official launch of Immigrant Justice Corps.
Since then, we have trained and mobilized more than 500 Fellows, expanded to more than 30 states, and served more than 135,000 immigrants and their family members. Ninety percent of our graduates remain in the field representing immigrants.
In December, IJC welcomed Sarah Burr, former Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in the New York City immigration court, as our new Board president. Judge Burr has served on IJC’s Board since our founding, and we’re thrilled that she will continue to champion IJC in this new capacity.
“When I was an Immigration Judge, I was frustrated with some attorney incompetence, and the establishment of IJC was the answer to my dreams,” said Judge Burr. Over a decade later, IJC has nurtured the next generation of immigration advocates.
This anniversary finds us both celebrating and standing resolute. Years of hard work have brought us to this milestone, and the need for that work has never been greater. As mass detention and deportation cast a shadow of fear across our communities, quality counsel has become not just helpful, but a lifeline for families whose futures hang in the balance.
Our vision remains unchanged: A future where every immigrant has a skilled, dedicated advocate to help them navigate the system and access justice. That future is worth fighting for, and we’re not done fighting.
In the year ahead, we’re working to deploy Fellows in immigration and federal courts to challenge unlawful detentions, give immigrants – including children – a real voice before a judge, and hold the system accountable to the rule of law.
To our donors and supporters, your unwavering belief in this mission has made every step of this journey possible. We are deeply grateful. And to those who are new to our work, there has never been a more important moment to stand with immigrants. We invite you to join us.
