Support LEI

Volunteer and support opportunities at Concort Immigration Court

In a time of growing uncertainty and harsh policies, volunteering is an act of resistance and care.

Volunteers are often the first kind face, the only explanation, and sometimes the sole reminder of humanity people experience in this space. By volunteering, you help ensure that no one faces the immigration court system completely alone.

Interested in funding LEI?

Thank you for your interest in supporting the Legal Empowerment Initiative.
Your contribution will help make legal resources more accessible and support immigrant communities in navigating the justice system with greater knowledge, confidence, and dignity.

Contact info@ccijustice.org

Volunteers...

Reduce fear by answering basic questions

Prevent people from being lost in a complex system

Offer dignity where systems often remove it

Ensure families are seen, heard and supported.

Get involved.

Become a volunteer

Below are three distinct ways to get involved:

Welcome Navigator

(Spanish required – conversational to fluent)
In-person role at the Concord Immigration Court

Immigration court can be terrifying, overwhelming, and deeply confusing—especially for newcomer families seeking asylum while facing the possibility of deportation. Welcome Navigators step into this gap with compassion, presence, and clarity. Welcome Navigators create a humane space inside an otherwise intimidating system. This role is not legal advocacy—it is human accompaniment.

What Welcome Navigators Do

Welcome Navigators provide non-legal, compassionate support to individuals and families during Master Calendar hearings.

Volunteer Responsibilities

  • Navigate the Courthouse: Help families find courtrooms, restrooms, interpreters, and key locations.

  • Provide Orientation: Explain—in plain language—why people are in immigration proceedings and what to expect during their court day.

  • Distribute Resource Materials: Share informational packets about immigrants’ rights and local support services.

  • Create a Safe Space: Offer a calm, welcoming presence for children and families experiencing fear, stress, or trauma.

  • Provide Distraction and Comfort: Read books with children, sit with families, and allow parents space to speak with attorneys.

  • Collaborate: Work alongside Attorneys of the Day, court staff, and fellow volunteers.

Commitment

  • Flexible half-day shifts during weekday court hours
    Typical shifts:

    • Morning: 8:30am–11:30am

    • Afternoon: 1:00pm–4:00pm

  • Minimum commitment: 1 shift per month (flexible)

  • Must be able to travel to and be present at the Concord Immigration Court

Get started

Contact: Susun Kim at skim[@]immigrantactionnetwork.org or text (510) 423-8681

Community Asylum Support (CAS) Volunteers

(Spanish required | more time-intensive | remote-friendly)

CAS volunteers support people who do not have an attorney in completing Form I-589 (Application for Asylum). This role is critical—missing deadlines or submitting incomplete applications can permanently affect a person’s chance to remain safely in the United States. This work is careful, detailed, and deeply impactful. While more complex, you are never expected to do this alone—you will be trained, supported, and provided with clear tools and guidance.

What CAS Volunteers Do

  • Help pro se respondents complete the I-589 asylum application

  • Support people facing urgent court deadlines

  • Collect detailed information with care and accuracy

  • Adapt quickly to fast-changing immigration policies

  • Work remotely or in coordination with court-based teams

Key Support Tools (CAS Toolkit)
How to Get Involved

For this role, please contact:

  • Pablo Guerrero – pguerrero[@]im4humanintegrity.org
    (Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity)

  • Kelly Younger – kyounger[@]im4humanintegrity.org
    (Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity)

Court Observers

(Spanish not required)
In-person role at the Concord Immigration Court

Court Observers help ensure transparency, accountability, and documentation within the immigration court system. This role is ideal for those who want to support systemic awareness and monitoring without engaging in direct services.

What Court Observers Do

  • Observe Master Calendar hearings

  • Document court procedures, trends, and concerns

  • Collect non-confidential information

  • Enter data into designated reporting systems at the end of the shift

Court Observers do not interact with respondents during hearings.

How to Get Involved

Contact Jere Ramsey jereramsey@gmail.com (Court Observer Program Coordinator)