CLA’s Immigration Practice: Six-Month Impact & Vision for the Future

Written By Charleston Legal Access

Charleston Legal Access (CLA) launched its Immigration Practice in June 2025 after years of preparation and community demand. In just six months, CLA has become South Carolina’s only nonprofit offering full-representation for complex immigration matters including, asylum, removal defense, humanitarian relief, and detained casework, at a price families can afford.

Six-Month Impact

Rising Demand & Critical Casework

Since June, CLA has received 232 immigration-related calls, leading to:

  • 91 consultations, many involving detained individuals

  • 22 clients in the pipeline

  • 24 active cases, including asylum, removal defense, VAWA, U-visas, SIJS, FOIA requests, and humanitarian parole 

We have rapidly become the referral destination for SC Legal Services, SCCADVASA, Catholic Charities, The Formation Project, and others, simply because no other nonprofit in South Carolina provides this level of representation.

Deepened Community Engagement

To build trust and improve access, CLA has hosted:

  • 2 Power of Attorney clinics serving ~60 individuals

  • 3 Know-Your-Rights presentations

  • Outreach at major events such as HOLA Festival and the Back-to-School Feria de Recursos y Salud 

Much of our outreach has been made possible by word-of-mouth, trusted community leaders, and Spanish-speaking staff.

Why This Work Is Critical Now

The current federal administration has greatly increased immigration enforcement, resulting in:

  • More detentions and bond denials

  • More expedited removals

  • Heightened fear preventing families from applying for benefits or relief, even when legally eligible

Private attorneys often charge $15,000+ for asylum or removal defense. CLA charges a third of the price with generous payment plans, yet many families still cannot afford help. 

South Carolina has no free legal services for unaccompanied minors and almost no options for low-income families statewide. CLA is now the only organization filling this gap.


Looking Ahead: Our Priorities for 2026–2027

1. Create a Legal Aid Fund for Unaccompanied Minors

SIJS cases require an unpredictable and costly Family Court process before federal immigration filing. Most caregivers, often relatives who have taken in abused, abandoned, or neglected children, cannot afford these expenses. A dedicated fund will cover:

  • Family Court fees, service costs, guardian ad litem fees

  • Legal representation for both the state and federal components

  • Immigration filing fees

This will allow CLA to represent unaccompanied minors for free or significantly reduced cost.


2. Launch a Pro Bono Program

Private attorneys have expressed strong interest in assisting with:

  • Appeals

  • Habeas petitions

These cases are crucial, especially as bond denials increase under current policies.

3. Establish an Immigration Legal Clinic at Charleston School of Law (Fall 2026)

We are working with the Dean and clinical faculty to launch a clinic that will:

  • Expand service capacity

  • Train future immigration attorneys

  • Strengthen the statewide legal ecosystem

4. Sustain & Expand Low-Cost Core Services

We will continue providing full-representation and sliding-scale services in removal defense, asylum, humanitarian applications, family petitions, and detained casework statewide.


Your Support Makes This Work Possible

With philanthropic investment, CLA can:

  • Fully stabilize and scale the Immigration Practice

  • Launch the Unaccompanied Minors Fund

  • Expand pro bono participation

  • Train the next generation of advocates

  • Ensure immigrant families have access to safety, stability, and justice

In just six months, CLA has become a cornerstone for immigrant families across South Carolina.
With your support, we can meet the growing need and protect the most vulnerable members of our community.

Charleston Legal Access
Next

Fighting For Justice: Focusing on Immigration