On Oct. 1, 2024, CLINIC concluded its 18-month Recent Arrivals Capacity Building Initiative (RACBMI), a project which created mentor-mentee partnerships between experienced legal service professionals and individuals aspiring to provide legal services as Department of Justice accredited representatives. The RACBMI built off the model and success of the pilot Capacity Building Mentorship Initiative (CBMI), which aimed to enhance accessibility of affordable immigration legal services for recently resettled Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) populations throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota.

The additional goals of the project were to: 1) offer mentees in Wisconsin and Minnesota the chance to engage in immigration legal trainings, receive hands-on shadowing experience from seasoned mentors, access to a wealth of resources, and benefit from technical assistance; 2) give national visibility to the need for capacity building through Department of Justice recognition and accreditation; and 3) develop partnerships between aspiring accredited representatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin and experienced mentors throughout the country.

By the end of this project, 11 applications for recognition, 17 applications for partial accreditation, and one application for extension of recognition were submitted to the Department of Justice. So far, 2 applications for recognition, 1 application for extension of recognition, and 6 applications for accreditation have been approved.

When asked how their mentorship experience impacted their readiness to apply for recognition and accreditation, mentees shared the following:

“Before working with my mentor, I understood the basics of immigration law but had no idea how to practice law. My mentor has given me invaluable hands-on experience, which I needed to be ready to apply for accreditation.”

“My mentors have been very helpful. Just basic things like filling out a form that I would be nervous doing myself. Also, ideas on how to start an ILS department were helpful.”

"Experience was invaluable. It gave me a lot of hands-on work opportunities. My mentor was and still is incredibly professional, kind, supportive and encouraging. I gained a lot of confidence being mentored by her.”

When asked what impact participating in a learning cohort had on their professional development, mentees shared the following:

“Being involved in the learning cohort has given me the opportunity to connect with accredited representatives working at other agencies. I now know others I can refer clients to call to ask questions of, or brainstorm ideas. One example of this is an agency that has offered to share how they do in-house fingerprinting. My professional development has also significantly improved by the opportunity to attend free training.”

“To be among individuals and organizations who are committed to the same work and knowing that I/we are not alone in the facing the technicalities of immigration law, and not to mention, the issues faced by immigrants within the ever-changing landscape of immigration law.”

“I really didn't have any idea what I was doing so it was nice to have others to rely on.”

“It was just wonderful. I made meaningful connections with quite a few people in the area. I continue to keep in touch with them. I think it just increased my sense of belonging in the immigration law services world.”

CLINIC thanks the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, and the Minnesota Department of Employment for their support through this project. We were honored to assist mentees as they worked toward recognition and accreditation.