Pro bono legal aid for refugees and displaced people is expanding significantly, with law firms shifting from indirect support to direct assistance. A 2022 survey showed that 42% of law firms prioritize immigration, refugee, and asylum issues, a notable increase from 24% in 2014. This evolution involves firms partnering with specialist NGOs for training and supervision, and pooling resources to maximize reach and impact, as demonstrated by the Ukraine Pro Bono Collaborative (UPBC) which assisted over 2,250 people in its first eight months.
Examples of impactful pro bono work include the Italian Coalition for Civil Liberties and Rights (CILD) utilizing Rule 39 of the European Court of Human Rights to relocate migrants from a detention center in Ukraine, just days before it was destroyed. In Portugal, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associates helped relocate over 270 students from Afghanistan, including 100 unaccompanied minors, by securing a collective decision from the courts. Spanish firm Uría Menéndez also secured Spanish nationality for a young girl born during her mother's migration journey, aiming to set a precedent for similar "invisible" children.
Technological innovation, particularly artificial intelligence, is being explored to enhance the efficiency of pro bono legal services, especially in response to funding cuts faced by organizations like UNHCR. AI-assisted tools are being piloted, such as one in Jordan that transcribes, translates, and organizes online and audio queries from refugees, speeding up response times. Additionally, financial innovations like the Global Islamic Fund for Refugees (GIFR), led by McDermott Will & Emery, are being developed to raise substantial funds, aiming for $500 million, with investment proceeds directed towards humanitarian aid.
Despite these efforts, the scale of the crisis remains immense, with over 108 million forcibly displaced people globally. Fabi Fugazza, COO at CILD, highlights that conflicts like the one in Ukraine exacerbate an already existing crisis. Ranajoy Basu of McDermott Will & Emery emphasizes the vast financial needs, stating that "No amount of government funding or foundation money is going to suffice. We need millions, probably billions to solve the problem." The challenge of providing adequate legal support for migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees continues to grow, necessitating continued innovation and collaboration within the legal community.
