Detroit, Michigan — During National Pro Bono Week 2025 (October 19–25, 2025), Atiya Law proudly led a series of immigration law training sessions and community presentations aimed at empowering attorneys, law students, and professionals across Michigan. These events spotlighted how immigration law intersects with criminal, family, employment, and civil practice areas, and reinforced Atiya Law’s ongoing commitment to community education and equitable access to legal representation.
What Is National Pro Bono Week?
National Pro Bono Week is an annual initiative sponsored by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service. The event celebrates volunteer attorneys and legal professionals who provide free legal services to individuals who cannot afford representation.
Each October, law firms, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations host legal clinics, training sessions, and educational programs nationwide to encourage participation in pro bono work and raise awareness about the ongoing need for accessible legal aid.
Atiya Law’s Impact During National Pro Bono Week
Atiya Law hosted multiple professional training sessions over three days, each tailored to equip different sectors with the tools to identify and respond to immigration-related legal issues.
1. Training for Non-Immigration Attorneys – National Lawyers Guild (October 22)
In partnership with the National Lawyers Guild (NLG), Atiya Law presented a seminar for attorneys in other practice areas—criminal, family, civil, and employment law—focusing on how immigration concerns can arise unexpectedly in everyday cases.
The firm emphasized the importance of always asking clients about their immigration or visa status, since an arrest, plea deal, personal protection order (PPO), or even a divorce filing could have serious immigration consequences, including detention or deportation.
The message was clear: effective advocacy requires awareness of the immigration ripple effects that can accompany routine legal matters.
2. Habeas Corpus & Immigration Bond Hearings – Practical Training (October 24)
Atiya Law led a hands-on practical session for attorneys handling immigration bond hearings following a petition for habeas corpus.
A writ of habeas corpus, or a document brought before the court—addresses the legality of a person’s detention by allowing them to challenge it. It serves as a protection from confinement without valid reason. As a legal procedure, it separates a person’s wrongful detention from their alleged commission of a crime (or administrative violations in the case of immigration detention), ensuring that no one is held unlawfully or without judicial review.
Participants learned how to properly file motions with immigration courts and prepare clients for bond hearings after release. The training illustrated the procedural nuances of habeas corpus petitions and reinforced the importance of accuracy and timeliness when filing with federal or immigration courts.
3. Panel at the Annual Meeting of the State Bar of Michigan Immigration Law Section
Later that same day, Atiya Law joined a panel discussion hosted by the State Bar of Michigan Immigration Law Section and local law school immigration clinics.
Lawyers and students asked challenging questions on credibility determinations, especially in cases where documentary evidence is limited. Atiya Law emphasized truthfulness, noting that judges value consistency and transparency more than overly polished but inconsistent testimony.
The firm also advised caution when submitting letters from relatives or friends, as inconsistent personal statements can often weaken a client’s case under cross-examination.
Next Week: Know-Your-Rights Training for Healthcare & Social Workers – UM Health
Atiya Law will be a part of Adolescent Health Initiative on November 5, 2025 with a “Know Your Rights” presentation at the University of Michigan Health System, educating healthcare providers and social workers on how to respond to ICE enforcement actions in clinics, hospitals, and schools.
The presentation will explore how ICE raids have affected immigrant communities—especially youth—by disrupting education, increasing anxiety, and undermining overall well-being.
Professionals will be trained on how to respond to ICE visits, including verifying judicial warrants, maintaining patient confidentiality, and designating a legal point of contact for all institutional communications. Atiya Law urges institutions to establish clear internal policies to safeguard both staff and patients.
Continuing Commitment to Community and Advocacy
As immigration policies continue to evolve, Atiya Law remains committed to educating professionals, training attorneys, and defending immigrant rights throughout Michigan and beyond.
With the Trump administration targeting non-profit organizations who are providing pro-bono immigration work, Atiya Law is aware of the increased necessity for such services. The firm plans to expand its outreach to additional organizations for the remainder of the year and into 2026, ensuring that both legal and non-legal professionals are equipped to protect vulnerable communities.
If you or a family member need information regarding a specific case or the assistance of experienced attorneys fighting for people like you every day, call our 24/7 English-Spanish line at 248.951.2450 or reach out to us at Atiya Law.