Life-Changing Legal Support for People Who Need it Most

A non-detained immigrant is 5X more likely to win their immigration case and have the right to stay in Arizona if they have an attorney.

PLAN aims to provide free legal support to as many people as possible.

Our 2022 impact:

50 clients served

16 work permits received

3 clients granted lawful status

“The support PLAN gives their clients is super vital and valuable to the immigrant community.”

Former client

Immigrants deserve equitable access to justice

The current legal system oppresses and excludes low-income communities of color.

There is no free public defender system in immigration court.

Civil legal services often leave out undocumented immigrants.

Legal support for immigration matters

We provide free representation in immigration matters to non-detained, low-income immigrants living in Maricopa County or with cases before the Phoenix Immigration Court.

Immigration Court
Applications for Status

Representation before the Phoenix Immigration Court including:

Adjustment of status to obtain residency through family members

Asylum for people whose lives are at risk in their home country

Cancellation of removal

  • For permanent residents at risk of losing their residency

  • For undocumented immigrants with at least ten years residence in the U.S. and a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child

Motion to terminate or suppress to challenge whether a criminal conviction or traffic stop makes an immigrant subject to deportation

Motion to reopen to get rid of an old deportation order

Request for prosecutorial discretion to ask ICE to close your immigration case because the immigrant does not fall into one of their priority categories

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) cancellation for spouses, parents, or children of abusive U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents

Appeals of incorrect and unjust decisions to the Board of Immigration Appeals

Applying for status with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration services including:

Work Permits

Visas for survivors of trafficking (T visa) and survivors of crime (U visa)

Temporary Protected Status for individuals from certain countries e.g. Afghanistan, Haiti, etc.

VAWA for spouses, parents, or children of abusive U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents

Appeals of incorrect and unjust decisions

Who we serve

Our services are available to low-income, non-detained immigrants who are facing deportation in the Phoenix Immigration Court.

Migrated from around the world

Mexico, Guatemala, Afghanistan, Iran, Democratic Republic of Congo, Jamaica, Honduras, Vietnam, Venezuela, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Haiti, and El Salvador

Have low-income levels

Below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines

Face imminent deportation

  • Previously detained in immigration custody

  • Currently in removal proceedings

Members of vulnerable populations

  • LGBTQ+

  • Homeless or facing serious housing insecurity

  • Diagnosed with mental health conditions

Survived trauma and violence

  • Domestic violence

  • Torture at the hands of foreign governments

Dina’s story

Dina* has been fighting for years to stop her deportation and obtain legal status in the United States. PLAN supported Dina in filing a U visa—an immigration visa for survivors of crime that takes 5+ years to get approved.

We worked together with Dina to achieve two of her goals:

  • Get her first work permit

  • Close her case with the immigration court

Dina’s next goals are to:

  • Legally change her name to match her female gender identity

  • Submit additional evidence and applications to ensure her U visa gets approved

*Name changed to protect privacy.

A former client who received help from PLAN with legal matters in the Phoenix Immigration Court

"I am very grateful to PLAN. I have no words."

Working with PLAN

Need legal representation? We’re a small team with limited capacity. While we can’t help everyone, we strive to support as many people as possible.

Here’s what you can expect when you work with PLAN.

1

Intake questionnaire

Start by completing our intake questionnaire. When intake is open, this form will be available on our website. Right now, intake is closed.

2

PLAN review

If you meet our priorities, we will invite you for a consultation. If you don’t meet our priorities, we’ll still notify you and try to connect you with free legal guides and/or other organizations that provide free/low bono services.

3

1 hour legal consultation in your preferred language

We’ll schedule a one hour, in-person consultation with an attorney. Bring all documents related to your case to the meeting. We’ll go over your background and immigration history, review documents, discuss your goals, give you an honest opinion on your legal options, and answer any questions you have. At the end of consultation, we’ll let you know if PLAN can take on your case. If PLAN cannot take your case, we’ll provide you with free legal guides and/or information about other free/low bono services.

4

Shared work plan

If PLAN takes on your case, you will sign an agreement for free legal services and receive contact information for your attorney. We’ll create and review a timeline and work plan for working together as a team. We’ll discuss your responsibilities and PLAN’s responsibilities to reach your goals. All meetings will take place in your preferred language.

5

Get to work

Over the course of your case, whether it be months or years, PLAN will work with you to:

  • File necessary applications

  • Collect and translate evidence

  • Identify and build legal arguments

  • Find expert witnesses as needed

  • Develop your testimony for the judge or immigration agency

  • Check in on progress and any changes to the shared timeline and work plan

6

Feedback

Each year, PLAN solicits anonymous feedback from all our clients on how we’re doing. This is a chance for you to share information about your experience so that we can better serve you and others in the future.

Unfortunately, we are not taking on new cases right now. Follow us on social media @planphoenix to learn when we reopen intake.

Empowering immigrants to be their own advocates

Legal knowledge and resources should be accessible to everyone.

If you or someone you love needs help, start your journey in our knowledge center. You’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about immigration law and valuable resources to help you pursue immigrant justice.

Visit knowledge center