South Brooklyn Sanctuary

There is no right to counsel in immigration courts—a hidden civil rights gap that leaves nearly half of New York immigrants to face trained government lawyers alone. South Brooklyn Sanctuary (SBS) responds to this injustice by training volunteers to work alongside immigrants as they prepare applications, understand their rights, and navigate a system that is intimidating and exclusionary. Our model also invites those we support to become volunteers themselves—breaking down the divide between “service provider” and “recipient,” building collective power, and strengthening community ties in Brooklyn and beyond.

Our programming adapts to urgent needs. In response to Trump’s mass deportation agenda, we expanded to include virtual hearing clinics, guardianship clinics, and ICE check-in consultations, and we are now planning a youth clinic following federal cuts to youth attorneys. More recently, in response to city cuts to legal services for asylum seekers, we launched a trial skills clinic where immigrants can prepare their own declarations, evidence packets, and practice cross-examination.

We also strengthen the wider network of advocates serving New York’s immigrant community. Partnerships with social service providers allow them to extend legal support they otherwise could not, while collaboration with legal providers helps reduce waiting lists and expand reach. SBS remains committed to organizing locally with mutual aid groups, businesses, elected officials, and pro se clinics citywide to reinforce the community-led safety net for immigrants who must represent themselves.