Vera Institute of Justice

Every person facing the threat of detention and deportation deserves due process and high-quality representation regardless of income, race, national origin, language, prior history with the criminal legal system, or the nature of their defense. In response to increased attacks on immigrant communities, the Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) seeks applications from publicly funded deportation defense programs to join the Safety & Fairness for Everyone (SAFE) Network—a collaboration between governments, immigration legal service providers, and advocates working together to build and implement universal representation programs at the local and state level.

Vera is offering a unique opportunity for jurisdictions to join the SAFE Network and receive up to $100,000 in catalyst funding for one year. Applications are due April 14, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. PT.

About the Opportunity

The purpose of catalyst funding is to incentivize local and state governments to invest in legal representation.

Who can apply?

• jurisdictions with existing publicly funded deportation defense programs who will leverage the catalyst funding to expand their jurisdiction’s investment;
• jurisdictions planning to create publicly funded deportation defense programs, with the help of the catalyst funding, by the end of the calendar year; or
• jurisdictions with existing publicly funded deportation defense programs that do not have plans to expand. These jurisdictions are ineligible for catalyst funds but may apply to join the SAFE Network for access to other network benefits.

This opportunity is available for both existing members of the SAFE Network and prospective new members.

Any programmatic partner—legal service provider, government partner, or advocacy group—may apply to join SAFE. The applicant can either be part of a local or state deportation defense program or in a jurisdiction that is anticipating allocating funding imminently to create a local or state deportation defense program. All applicants must commit to the principle and vision of universal representation. The universal representation model ensures equitable access to representation under the program—to the extent of funded capacity—regardless of the perceived likelihood of the case succeeding or the client’s previous contact with the criminal legal system.

Why now?

Due process—the notion that everyone has the right to fair treatment in our legal system to prevent the arbitrary deprivation of life, liberty, or property—is a foundational principle of the United States government, enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Recent federal executive actions upend due process by expanding immigration enforcement and detention, reducing the likelihood that people can access a lawyer, and increasing the risk of deportation for people with the legal right to remain in the country. Immigration lawyers serve as a critical last line of defense for protecting communities impacted by enforcement, disruption, and family separation. People facing deportation in immigration court with a lawyer are up to 10.5 times more likely to achieve an outcome that allows them to remain in the United States than those without a lawyer. As of December 2024, there are currently 2.5 million people in immigration court who face deportation without a lawyer.

Why join SAFE?

The SAFE Network started in 2017 to counter the fundamental and urgent injustices facing immigrants in the nation’s immigration enforcement system. Network members are grounded in the belief that every person facing deportation should be entitled to high-quality legal representation. There are now more than 55 local and state jurisdictions with publicly funded deportation defense programs, providing a tangible means for states and localities to push back against harmful federal policies, protect community members, and stabilize families and economies.

SAFE currently consists of 31 jurisdictions with universal representation programs at the local and state level. SAFE programs have exclusive access to the nation’s top experts and the most current data, equipping them with unparalleled support for program implementation and advocacy. SAFE’s resource library—available only to SAFE programs—offers specialized trainings on technical legal issues, person-centered and zealous representation, policy and budget advocacy, and immigrants’ rights. Additionally, the SAFE Network programs receive cutting-edge data and research tools, including real-time data tracking templates and key performance metrics, to leverage in support of their program’s sustainability. Vera further enhances each program’s effectiveness by providing localized immigration trend data, expert lobbying training, and strategic storytelling resources for effective communications and advocacy campaigns. Vera also supports public facing communication efforts and can work collaboratively with the partner to navigate external communications within their local political context.

SAFE programs benefit from a powerful nationwide network of like-minded initiatives, fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the exchange of best practices to drive collective success. Vera regularly convenes SAFE programs for dynamic virtual and in-person learning opportunities, enabling programs to gain insights from one another. To further enhance impact, Vera organizes specialized cohorts designed to address the specific needs of SAFE programs, ensuring targeted support and strategic growth.

Benefits of SAFE Network Membership

Membership provides

• access to SAFE Network programming, including general programming, specialized cohorts, and leadership groups;
• access to members-only peer listservs and resource library;
• research and data empowerment tools;
• strategic advocacy, communications, and campaign support;
• program implementation support based on recognized best practices;
• connection with a national network of allies working toward shared goals and vision; and
• inclusion in the federal Fairness to Freedom coalition, if desired.

About the Application

The application deadline to join SAFE is April 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Eligibility requirements:

• Applicants must be from programs that are allocating new or increased public funding for deportation defense or have plans to allocate new or expanded funding by the end of the calendar year.
• The program must advance the values of universal representation for all, aligned with the vision that every person deserves representation regardless of the type of case or its perceived likelihood of success.
• The program must not exclude people based on prior contact with the criminal legal system.
• The partner must be willing and able to sign a contract or memorandum of understanding with Vera, should they be selected.

Evaluation criteria:

Evaluation will be based on

• demonstration of collaboration and coordination between government partners, legal services providers, and advocacy groups;
• existing or planned mechanisms for community engagement in advocating for, planning, and implementing the program;
• commitment to advancing racial equity within the immigration system;
• political and geographic diversity; and
• articulated plan for how to sustain the publicly funded program after the first year of investment.

Timeline:

• March 27: Informational webinar at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT. Register here.
• April 14: Applications due by 11:59 p.m. PT
• April 14 to May 5: Application review and, if necessary, follow up conversations
• Beginning in early May: Applicants notified of decision on a rolling basis

Unsure if your jurisdiction is eligible or have other questions or concerns regarding eligibility, including jurisdictions with alternative budget models or budget cycles? We encourage you to attend the informational webinar and/or contact us at UREP@vera.org.