DACA Renewal Clinic Gets Help from Exelon and ComEd Legal Teams
December 21, 2023
Navigating the legal system can be an overwhelming, confusing, and expensive experience, especially for those with open immigration cases. This is the experience for so many enrolled in the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program, which provides temporary relief from deportation for eligible immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. To maintain DACA eligibility, participants must currently submit renewal applications every year.
While this process can be cumbersome and time-consuming– with missed paperwork or a simple mistake putting their legal status at risk – Exelon’s legal team has stepped in to provide support for those navigating the process. Recently, Exelon attorneys, including those assigned to ComEd, joined local immigration agencies to host a legal aid clinic to help folks facing the process. On Nov. 14, the Exelon legal pro bono committee joined at a clinic organized alongside the Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) for the second annual EmPOWERING Pro Bono Day. The Exelon and ComEd legal teams jumped into action helping 12 DACA recipients and ensuring a thorough review of case files – free of cost.
“Managing the application process can be difficult. Though many manage their immigration paperwork on their own, it’s a time-consuming and sometimes intimidating process,” said Tracy Hannan, associate general counsel, litigation at Exelon, who also works with ComEd’s legal team. “Those with DACA status are a part of the vibrant communities we serve – and we are happy to work with community partners to support individuals renewing their DACA status.”
Though EmPOWERing Pro Bono Day only kicked off last year to match pro bono services by attorneys and legal staff from electric and gas companies with those in need of legal assistance, Exelon’s Chicago pro bono committee has been organizing and identifying pro bono opportunities for more than two decades. Exelon and ComEd legal teams in Chicago, made up of roughly 50 attorneys and legal staff, have volunteered services at a variety of legal clinics. Honoring pro bono service as an integral part of their legal duty has driven these attorneys and legal staff to assist at these free legal aid clinics, making an impact on the lives of many across ComEd’s service territory, and assisting the mission of local community-driven agencies, like the NIJC, each year.
“The NIJC provides vital legal services to immigrants through direct representation and the facilitation to legal workshops and clinics,” said Rebecca Ries-Roncalli, DACA pro bono coordinator at the NIJC. “We find that it is very important not just to provide direct legal services, but to provide clinics with pro bono attorneys, like Exelon and ComEd’s legal team, in order to increase our capacity to serve the community as well as raise awareness regarding immigration issues.”
Legal clinics, like the DACA renewal event, are critical for assisting those who may not have the resources to hire their own personal attorney. With the guidance of advocates and subject matter attorneys, the Exelon and ComEd legal team help complete and review case documentation such as petitions for innocence, criminal record expungements, asylum and refugee petitions, among other legal needs.
“Whether it’s facing the criminal justice system, a need to obtain or renew benefits, secure or maintain housing, or other essential needs, lawyers’ skillsets and ready access to the justice system can help remove obstacles often faced by individuals in need,” said Tracy. “Because of those abilities and commitments to our communities, I believe it’s critical that lawyers provide pro bono services. Personally, the pro bono cases I’ve volunteered on have been the most meaningful cases of my career.”
To get connected with free immigration legal services, visit https://immigrantjustice.org/immigration-legal-services. For other pro bono legal services in the Chicago area, visit https://legalaidchicago.org/.
