PANGEA LEGAL SERVICES

Programs: Direct legal representation: in 2017, pangea provided full scope representation to over 460 clients, of which 80% were in removal proceedings. We liberated 22 clients from immigration detention (out of 25 litigated), reuniting them with their families. We also provided over 140 consultations for individuals in detention, some of which included extensive follow-ups, legal research, referrals, and brief legal services. Our clients originated from 28 countries; over half of our clients came from mexico, el salvador, guatemala, and honduras. Avenues to lawful status for our clients included asylum, cancellation of removal, u visas, t visas, family petitions, and adjustment of status. Representation included custody hearings, merits hearings, motions to reopen, appeals to the board of immigration appeals and the u. S. Court of appeals for the ninth circuit, habeas petitions, credible fear interviews and reasonable fear interviews. In early 2017, pangea organized a panel and webinar on habeas petitions for detained immigrants that was attended by over 2,000 advocates around the country. Shortly thereafter, pangea successfully represented detained immigrants in federal district court, navigating unchartered territory in the area of immigrant detention and setting a positive precedent that will help hundreds of other detained immigrants in their cases.

education and legal empowerment: pangea launched a rapid response hotline with partners, a project aimed at delivering legal support to community members in emergency situations. The hotline's technology platform was shared with and replicated by dozens of groups in the bay area, california and the united states at large. In connection with this launch, pangea conducted nearly 100 trainings in california. Pangea hosted its first promotora community leadership training, with over 30 participants who learned community advocacy strategies. Pangea also participated in over 60 education and legal empowerment events that helped inform the community about immigrants' rights. These events included "know your rights" trainings, webinars, spanish- and english- language television appearances, and panel presentations to stakeholders about immigration law. Additionally, pangea supported two clients in immigration detention with writing op-eds that were published in prominent bay area newspapers. Finally, pangea launched a community forum for clients to have a safe space to build community and mobilize around common interests.

policy advocacy: pangea participated in immigrant rights advocacy forums on the local, state, and national levels. We engaged in strategic lobbying actions through the aila national day of action (national) and california immigrant day (state) to advocate for immigrant friendly policies. Pangea clients and staff met and advocated with local and national legislators and representatives to support their cases and long-term change. Pangea served as fiscal lead of the free sf coalition, which engages in local policy advocacy and in 2017, successfully advocated to strengthen san francisco's sanctuary ordinance. In 2017, pangea and the free sf coalition also helped update a policy with the san francisco police commission to limit police collaboration with immigration and customs enforcement. Pangea organized and participated in several public advocacy events on the local and state levels, including rallies to protect deferred action for childhood arrivals (daca) and temporary protective status (tps).