No one should face deportation alone.
TAILC – The American Immigrant Legal Clinic – was built on a simple belief: that community and legal power are strongest when they work together. We're a Connecticut-based nonprofit with a first-of-its-kind model: a volunteer-driven legal clinic embedded within a statewide network of activist community hubs, responding directly to the surge in federal immigration enforcement and deportations. We provide free legal defense for detained immigrants in Connecticut — powered by volunteers, rooted in community. When the federal government comes knocking, we make sure no one has to answer alone.
What We Do
A new kind of legal clinic.
TAILC was built on a belief that's simple but radical: everyone deserves a fighting chance — regardless of income, status, or circumstance.
We provide free legal representation to low income immigrants detained in Connecticut, guiding clients through bond, habeas, and merits hearings with experienced volunteer attorneys by their side. We don't charge legal fees. We don't cut corners. We show up.
By combining volunteer legal talent with a network of grassroots groups across the state, we've built something designed specifically to meet this moment — as federal immigration enforcement escalates and the need for accessible legal defense has never been greater.
How We Work
Volunteer-powered, community-rooted. Built for this moment.
We don't work alone. TAILC operates through a statewide network of community hubs — activist organizations already embedded in the neighborhoods most impacted by federal immigration enforcement. These partnerships mean we can identify people in need faster, connect them to legal support sooner, and show up more fully as a community.
Our volunteer attorneys bring expertise from across Connecticut's legal community, donating their time and skills to ensure that the quality of someone's defense isn't determined by the size of their bank account.
This is a first-of-its-kind model — and it's working.
Who We Serve
If you or someone you love is detained in Connecticut, we’re here.
We represent detained immigrants at every stage of the legal process — at no cost, ever.
Bond hearings — fighting for your right to be released while your case is heard
Habeas hearings — challenging unlawful detention
Merits hearings — representing you before an immigration judge
We serve individuals detained within the state of Connecticut. If you're unsure whether you qualify, reach out — we'll help you figure it out.
Get Involved
Justice Takes a Village.
TAILC runs on the expertise and dedication of volunteer attorneys across Connecticut. Whether you're a seasoned immigration attorney or a lawyer eager to learn a new area of law, there's a place for you here — and the need has never been more urgent.
As a volunteer attorney, you'll:
Receive training and ongoing support from our legal team
Be matched with clients based on your availability and experience
Work alongside a network of attorneys and community advocates committed to the same mission
Make a direct, meaningful difference in someone's life
You don't have to be an immigration expert to start. You just have to show up.
About Us
Born from urgency, built to last.
The American Immigrant Legal Clinic was founded in response to a stark reality: as federal immigration enforcement escalated, the gap between the people who needed legal help and the people who could afford it grew wider every day.
We built something new. A volunteer-powered legal clinic embedded within a statewide network of activist community hubs — organizations already trusted by the communities they serve. Together, we respond directly to detention, deportation, and the fear that comes with both.
TAILC is led by experienced immigration attorneys and supported by a growing network of volunteers, advocates, and community partners across Connecticut. We believe the law should protect everyone — and we're here to make sure it does.
