And Helpful Links
| Organization location | Austin, San Antonio, Waco |
| Case types that you usually have available (example: consultations; DACA clinics; full representation in detained asylum, BIA appeals, and humanitarian parole cases) | Full representation for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions; brief writing; co-counseling with staff; assist with appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals; DACA clinics (including non-detained initial applications); discrete legal matters (such as Request for Reconsideration on behalf of defensive asylum/withholding of removal applicants). |
| Preferred attorney location | Austin, San Antonio, Waco, and remote |
| Do you provide a mentor attorney? | Yes |
| Do you require pro bono attorneys to have prior experience in immigration law? | No |
| Do you provide interpretation? | Yes, with some limitations |
| Name, telephone, and/or email of pro bono or volunteer coordinator (preference for a general email such as volunteer@nonprofit.org) | stevied@americangateways.org; ednay@americangateways.org |
| Website (general or specific to volunteering) | https://americangateways.org/get-involved/ |
| Organization name | The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) |
| Organization location | Based in San Antonio, TX |
| Case types that you usually have available (example: consultations; DACA clinics; full representation in detained asylum, BIA appeals, and humanitarian parole cases) | Brief writing, full representation in detained asylum proceedings, BIA appeals |
| Preferred attorney location | San Antonio, TX and remote |
| Do you provide a mentor attorney? | Yes |
| Do you require pro bono attorneys to have prior experience in immigration law? | No |
| Do you provide interpretation? | Yes |
| Name, telephone, and/or email of pro bono or volunteer coordinator (preference for a general email such as volunteer@nonprofit.org) | Aida Farahani, probono@raicestexas.org |
| Website (general or specific to volunteering) | https://www.raicestexas.org/ |
| Organization location | Harlingen, TX |
| Case types that you usually have available (example: consultations; DACA clinics; full representation in detained asylum, BIA appeals, and humanitarian parole cases) | Bond and parole (release from ICE custody); BIA Appeals; Representation for detained asylum cases |
| Preferred attorney location | Due to COVID-19, most pro bono representation may currently be undertaken remotely. |
| Do you provide a mentor attorney? | Yes |
| Do you require pro bono attorneys to have prior experience in immigration law? | No |
| Do you provide interpretation? | Pro bono attorneys are generally expected to obtain their own interpretation services. Support connecting with interpretation resources may be available on a case-by-case basis. |
| Name, telephone, and/or email of pro bono or volunteer coordinator (preference for a general email such as volunteer@nonprofit.org) | volunteer@abaprobar.org |
| Website (general or specific to volunteering) | ambar.org/probar |
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| Organization name | Mosaic Family Services |
| Organization location | Dallas, Texas |
| Case types that you usually have available (example: consultations; DACA clinics; full representation in detained asylum, BIA appeals, and humanitarian parole cases) | Our practice is generally: VAWA, T visa, U Visa, and Adjustments of status cases for T-visaholders. We welcome pro bonos who would like to engage in full representation of any the above-referenced applications, in addition to: DACA applications, SIJS, Motions to Reopen and Terminate prior removal orders, and motions to reopen for any of the above-referenced applications. Please note that we work with survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking; therefore, we are extremely selective in matching attorneys with clients to ensure our clients receive trauma-informed care. |
| Preferred attorney location | Dallas-Ft. Worth area |
| Do you provide a mentor attorney? | Yes |
| Do you require pro bono attorneys to have prior experience in immigration law? | Highly preferred, if not, we would like commitment to taking more than one pro bono case |
| Do you provide interpretation? | Yes, we provide access to telephonic interpretation services |
| Name, telephone, and/or email of pro bono or volunteer coordinator (preference for a general email such as volunteer@nonprofit.org) | Please email Katie Jenkins (katiej@mosaciservices.org), volunteer coordinator and Kristine Cruz (kristinec@mosaicservices.org), Legal Program Director |
| Website (general or specific to volunteering) | www.mosaicservices.org |
| Organization name | >HRI (Human Rights Initiative of North Texas) |
| Organization location | Dallas, TX |
| Case types that you usually have available (example: consultations; DACA clinics; full representation in detained asylum, BIA appeals, and humanitarian parole cases) | Non-detained Defensive Asylum cases, Affirmative Asylum cases, U-Visa, VAWA, and Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ) |
| Preferred attorney location | DFW |
| Do you provide a mentor attorney? | Yes, for all programs |
| Do you require pro bono attorneys to have prior experience in immigration law? | No |
| Do you provide interpretation? | Yes |
| Name, telephone, and/or email of pro bono or volunteer coordinator (preference for a general email such as volunteer@nonprofit.org) | Layne Faulkner 214-855-0520 volunteer@hrionline.org |
| Website (general or specific to volunteering) | Hrionline.org |
| Organization name | Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) – Houston |
| Organization location | Houston, TX |
| Case types that you usually have available (example: consultations; DACA clinics; full representation in detained asylum, BIA appeals, and humanitarian parole cases) | Unaccompanied Children, under the age of 18, Asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U visa, T visa, VAWA, representation of detained and released minors, removal defense. |
| Preferred attorney location | Houston, TX |
| Do you provide a mentor attorney? | Yes |
| Do you require pro bono attorneys to have prior experience in immigration law? | No |
| Do you provide interpretation? | No, but we have a list of volunteer interpreters |
| Name, telephone, and/or email of pro bono or volunteer coordinator (preference for a general email such as volunteer@nonprofit.org) | infohouston@supportkind.org |
| Website (general or specific to volunteering) | https://supportkind.org/get-involved/pro-bono-attorney-program/ |
| Organization name | Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services |
| Organization location | 2400 Yandell Dr, El Paso, TX 79903 |
| Case types that you usually have available (example: consultations; DACA clinics; full representation in detained asylum, BIA appeals, and humanitarian parole cases) | General Legal Services- This Unit provides full representation in family-based immigration cases as well as full representation to individuals applying for Naturalization, Citizenship through Acquisition, Derivation and assistance with the renewal of LPR cards and DACA applications. Removal Defense Unit- The Removal Defense Unit provides full representation to both detained and non-detained individuals currently in removal (deportation) proceedings before an Immigration Judge and full representation in detained and none detained asylum cases. Crime Victims Unit- Prepares and files applications for immigration benefits for survivors of domestic violence or other crimes (including human trafficking). Religious Workers Unit- Provides full representation in religious worker cases to individuals in the Roman Catholic Diocese of El Paso and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces. Legal Orientation Program- Provides education through group orientations and self-help workshops to detainees so they may understand the legal process and make informed decisions based on options available to them. This unit also offers referrals to pro bono attorneys in cases where detainees are unable to represent themselves. They maintain a library of legal resources available in several languages, including English, Spanish, Arabic, French, and Mandarin. Unaccompanied Minors Program- Provides services to immigrant children who are detained and in removal (deportation) proceedings without a parent or legal guardian. Staff provide Know Your Rights Orientations to newly arrived children at detention facilities, Individual screenings to identify each child’s legal needs and provide additional education about their rights and immigration law, recruit, train, and mentor pro bono attorneys who provide legal representation to the children, and coordinated non-legal services as needed. |
| Preferred attorney location | Services West Texas and New Mexico. |
| Do you provide a mentor attorney? | No |
| Do you require pro bono attorneys to have prior experience in immigration law? | Yes |
| Do you provide interpretation? | No, but we have an outside service for interpretation |
| Name, telephone, and/or email of pro bono or volunteer coordinator (preference for a general email such as volunteer@nonprofit.org) | Catherine Hudak Director of Development chudak@dmrs-ep.org (915) 532-1042 |
| Website (general or specific to volunteering) | http://www.dmrs-ep.org |
| Organization name | Catholic Charities Dallas |
| Organization location | Dallas |
| Case types that you usually have available (example: consultations; DACA clinics; full representation in detained asylum, BIA appeals, and humanitarian parole cases) | Naturalization clinics; brief writing; full representation in detained asylum cases, Bond limited Representation, BIA appeals, Circuit Appeals, detained removal representation and humanitarian parole |
| referred attorney location | DFW area |
| Do you provide a mentor attorney? | yes |
| Do you require pro bono attorneys to have prior experience in immigration law? | No |
| Do you provide interpretation? | No |
| Name, telephone, and/or email of pro bono or volunteer coordinator (preference for a general email such as volunteer@nonprofit.org) | Carolina Rivera, 469-801-8179, crivera@ccdallas.org |
| Website (general or specific to volunteering) | Ccdallas.org |
if you cannot find the answer below, please message us
Roy Petty
Dallas
Roy Petty has practiced immigration law for more than 30 years, focusing on U.S. district court litigation against the government. He is Board Certified in Immigration & Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. In 2019, the Dallas Bar Association, Immigration Section, honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He was elected as a Fellow of the Texas Bar
Foundation.
Roy has recently served on the Immigration Section Council, working alongside creative and energetic lawyers. He practices in Dallas with a dedicated team of experienced professionals.
He also has served on the Dallas Subcommittee of the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee of the Supreme Court of Texas and has testified as an expert witness in immigration matters in various Texas and U.S. district courts. Roy enjoys mentoring those new to the practice of immigration law and inspiring others to experience the satisfaction of litigating against the government.
Roy would like to continue educating Texas Bar stakeholders about the Texas Supreme Court’s proposals to open the practice of law to certain non-attorneys and large corporations and to allow large corporations to obtain equity interests in certain law firms.
Kaitlyn N. Dhar
Miami, Florida
Kaitlyn has practiced as an immigration attorney in Texas, Florida, Illinois, and Vancouver B.C. (Canada). Her practice focuses on employment-based immigration. She helps employers prepare immigrant and nonimmigrant visa petitions for foreign nationals seeking employment authorization in the U.S., by providing expert consultation on visas, compliance, and consular processing. She has supported employers of all sizes in a multitude of industries and fields, such as Fortune 500 multinational corporations and small to midsize employers in the finance, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, information technology, consulting, retail, and fashion industries; top-tier research and educational institutions; athletics field; third-party placement IT Consulting and Staffing industry.
In addition to her experience in employment-based immigration, she has diverse experience in other immigration matters including family-based immigration, student and visitor visa assistance, citizenship, removal defense, and relief for asylum seekers.
Kaitlyn was recognized by Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch in 2024 in the area of Immigration Law and Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” in 2020 and 2021. She has been called to speak at various industry and peer-related conferences on immigration topics.
She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and its South Florida chapter, where she serves in leadership as Second Vice Chair, its Board of Directors, along with various committees over the years.
As Council of the Immigration & Nationality Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, Kaitlyn would be committed to supporting members with the same
eagerness and determination to further the practice of Immigration Law.
Amanda Waterhouse
Houston
Thank you for considering me for a seat on the Council of the Immigration & Nationality Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. I have been practicing immigration law since 2007 and founded my own practice in 2021. As an immigration attorney, I have had the opportunity to practice in all areas of immigration law and especially enjoy “crimmigration” and federal court litigation.
I’m also committed to pro bono work, mentoring new attorneys, and volunteering with both AILA and the State Bar of Texas. I’ve had the great privilege to work with the Immigration & Nationality Law Section for a number of years now, writing the Fifth Circuit update for the quarterly bulletin as well as presenting at numerous CLE events. While I cannot say it has always been a joy to read and summarize hundreds of terrible Fifth Circuit opinions, I can certainly say that I’ve been glad to help the Section and hope that at the very least my work was useful to the members.
If elected to a Council seat, I fully intend to continue and expand my efforts to help inform and support the membership. I have no doubt that I can and will serve the Section well. Hopefully the members will agree and select me for this seat.
Karen Crawford
Austin
Karen Crawford has been practicing immigration law since 1993. She earned her law degree from Boston College, where she also received a Master’s in Social Work, focusing on Community Organizing, Social Planning and Policy. She obtained her undergraduate degree in psychology at Harvard University, graduating magna cum laude. She is the founding attorney of the Law Office of Karen J Crawford, PLLC, which was opened in September of 2000.
She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association Family Steering Committee, and of the State Bar of Texas Committee on Laws Relating to Immigration and Nationality. In the past, she has served as an adjunct clinical professor at the University of Texas Law School Immigration Clinic, and as Legal Director and later Interim Executive Director of American Gateways in Austin, and as chair of the City of Austin’s Commission on Immigrant Affairs and vice chair of the Joint Inclusion Committee.
Mauricio Garcia
Brownsville
Mauricio Garcia is the founder of the Law Office of Mauricio Garcia, PLLC, a practice focusing primarily on federal criminal defense and immigration. Growing up in a border community, Mr. Garcia understands firsthand the struggles and challenges that everyday immigrant families face. His main goal is to achieve justice for his clients and help them find their voice within the judicial system.
Mr. Garcia holds his Bachelor of Arts in Government, History, International Relations, and Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, his Masters in Public Administration from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and his Juris Doctorate from the historic Texas Southern University – Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
After graduating, he clerked for the Honorable Rolando Olvera of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas – Brownsville Division, where he gained valuable insight into the crimmigration process, as well as citizenship and naturalization law. Today, Mr. Garcia is proud to represent clients in the front lines of our criminal and immigration systems.
Mr. Garcia is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Bar College, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Federal Bar Association, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Cameron County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Cameron County Young Lawyers Association, and the Cameron County Bar Association.
In 2023 and 2024, he was named Rising Star by the Super Lawyers®.
Tatiana T. Dennis
Odessa
Tatiana T. Dennis focuses her practice in West Texas primarily on Immigration Law, School Law, and employment law.
Tatiana assists individual and corporate clients with a wide range of immigration matters, including non-immigrant temporary work visas (e.g., E-1/2, H-1B, H-2B, H-2A, L-1, O-1), TN visas for Canadian and Mexican Professionals Under the USMCA, religious worker visas (R-1), student and exchange visitor visas (F-1, J-1), permanent residency (Family- and Employment-based), naturalization and citizenship. She also assists businesses with all matters relating to employment-based immigrant petitions and business immigration, including PERM labor certifications, and Form I-9 compliance.
In addition, Tatiana advises public and private schools on all matters pertaining to school law, employment and student policies, policy development, employee handbooks, employment matters, hiring international teachers, and Form I-9 compliance.
Prior to becoming licensed to practice law in 2013, Tatiana was a Texas-certified secondary school teacher of French language from 2005 to 2010. Tatiana is an immigrant herself, born and raised in Russia.
Memberships and Affiliations
Civic and Charitable
Ana Maria Schwartz: Champion for Immigrant Families
Houston
Ana Maria Schwartz, Principal at Schwartz Immigration Law, PLLC, has over 17 years of experience practicing immigration law, Ms. Schwartz operates from her offices in Houston and Austin, Texas, providing legal services to diverse communities. A graduate of Bryn Mawr College and Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, Ms. Schwartz combines her academic background with practical experience. She frequently speaks at national and regional conferences on a range of immigration topics.
She actively contributes to the legal profession and is able to advocate for marginalized groups through her service on the AILA Annual Conference Family Subcommittee, the AILA Online Course Committee, the Houston and Austin Bar Associations LGBTQ+ Committees, and the Houston Bar Association CLE Committee. Additionally, she is a member of the Immigration and Nationality, Women and the Law, and LGBT Law sections of the Texas Bar.
Her legal practice is deeply focused on keeping families together, utilizing every available tool to support her clients. She has a particular emphasis on assisting those with DACA status and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Ms. Schwartz has volunteered her time with American Gateways in Austin and BakerRipley in Houston.
Monica Saenz
San Antonio
A native of the Rio Grande Valley, Monica was born and raised in McAllen, Texas, where she developed strong awareness of the challenges facing the immigrant population. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Monica then pursued her Juris Doctorate from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2008. She has been Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law since December 2014.
While in law school, Monica was the Executive Articles Editor and Staff Writer for The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Minority Issues. She also studied abroad at St. Mary’s Institute on World Legal Problems in Innsbruck, Austria. Monica joined DMCA as an Associate Attorney in December 2011 and was named a Partner in July 2023. She has volunteered with the Bexar County Staff Attorney’s Office, in addition to working with ProBAR representing unaccompanied immigrant children. Monica has experience in family-based immigration, naturalization, VAWA and U visa petitions, consular processing, and removal defense.
As DMCA’s head of the Consular Department, Monica has represented thousands of clients before U.S. embassies worldwide, guiding them through the visa application process and obtaining waivers for any grounds of inadmissibility that may apply. Monica served as the Chair of the San Antonio Bar Association’s Immigration and Nationality Section from 2015-2017. She is currently serving her second term on the Texas Board of Legal Specialization Advisory Commission. Monica is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the San Antonio Bar Association.