I-ARC Member Spotlight: JustCause
Immigrant ARC is a coalition of immigration legal services providers and advocates working together throughout New York State to increase access to justice and access to counsel for all immigrant New Yorkers. Our coalition represents more than 80 member organizations across the state and each member brings a unique set of skills and expertise to the table which keeps our network strong.
Member Spotlights give our members a platform to showcase and share their milestones and accomplishments. Our first I-ARC Member Spotlight features JustCause, a member organization based in the western part of Upstate New York. We would like to thank JustCause’s Supervising Attorney for the Immigration Unit, Carla Perez, for providing the answers to our interview questions on behalf of JustCause.
JustCause celebrates a very special milestone this year—their 45th Anniversary! That’s 45 years of hard work, dedication, and advocacy, fighting to increase access to justice for the immigrant community in the Greater Rochester region. JustCause will be celebrating this milestone with a ceremony on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at the Monroe County Hall of Justice. Congratulations, JustCause!
What is JustCause? | Fast Facts
Organization Address: 1 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614
Contact Information:www.justcauseny.org | (585) 232-3051
Mission & Vision: JustCause works to ensure access to justice for low-income and vulnerable individuals by providing high-quality legal services, community education, and pro bono engagement. JustCause envisions a community where everyone has equal access to legal assistance and the opportunity to achieve stability, dignity, and self-determination.
Service Area: JustCause primarily serves Monroe County and the Greater Rochester region, while certain programs serve clients throughout Western and Central New York.
Populations Served: JustCause serves low-income individuals and families facing civil legal issues, including immigrants, tenants, consumers, veterans, seniors, and survivors of domestic violence. They provide services to immigrants and asylum seekers, LGBTQ+ individuals and families, veterans, older adults, low-income tenants, and individuals navigating federal court without representation.
Services: JustCause’s services include immigration assistance, family law services, housing and tenant defense, consumer debt and bankruptcy assistance, estate planning, federal court assistance programs, nonprofit and small business legal support, and community legal education.
Projects to Highlight:JustCause is particularly proud of their Immigration Program, which provides legal assistance to asylum seekers and immigrants navigating an increasingly complex legal system. JustCause also recently launched the Trans Family Stabilization Program, which expands access to legal services for transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals and their families.
How does JustCause measure its impact within the community?: JustCause measures impact through case outcomes, client feedback, pro bono engagement, community partnerships, and number of individuals served. Beyond statistics, JustCause staff see their impact in the lives of clients who achieve stability, remain housed, reunite with family members, secure legal status, or gain access to critical benefits and protections.
Major Accomplishments: JustCause has expanded immigration services despite significant funding challenges, strengthened partnerships with community organizations, developed innovative pro bono opportunities, and increased access to legal services through clinics and community-based programming. JustCause is especially proud of their collaborative initiatives and efforts to support vulnerable immigrant populations during a period of rapid policy changes.
JustCause & I-ARC Membership
JustCause staff members regularly attend I-ARC training sessions and participate in working group calls and listserv discussions. JustCause also collaborates with I-ARC on habeas and bond work, helping to expand support and resources for individuals in immigration detention and those navigating complex immigration proceedings. JustCause engages in collaborative learning opportunities and ensures their staff are at the table for conversations that impact immigration legal services across the state.
JustCause goes above and beyond to contribute to efforts that benefit the entire I-ARC membership. For example, JustCause Attorney, Richard Link, has been a member of the I-ARC Training Committee for the past two years and has co-presented several CLE trainings for I-ARC members (i.e. Adjustment of Status CLE, Manner of Entry CLE).
We asked JustCause about their experiences as an I-ARC member and to share their perspective on what makes the I-ARC community so special:
“I-ARC provides invaluable opportunities for collaboration, training, mentorship, and information sharing. It allows our staff to stay informed about changes in immigration law and connect with colleagues across New York State who are facing similar challenges.” - JustCause
“I-ARC's greatest strength is its collaborative spirit. The willingness of members to share expertise, resources, and practical guidance helps ensure that providers across New York can better serve immigrant communities.” - JustCause
(JustCause Immigration Team pictured, left to right: Paralegal Nasrat Mureed, Staff Attorney Carla Perez, Paralegal Keyshla Lozada, and Staff Attorney Richard Link)
Field Insights | Excerpts from Our Interview with JustCause
I-ARC:Currently, what do you feel are some of the most pressing concerns faced by those providing immigration legal services in New York State?
JustCause: The immigration legal services field continues to face overwhelming demand, limited funding, staffing shortages, and rapidly changing immigration policies. Providers are asked to do more with fewer resources while responding to increased community need and uncertainty.
I-ARC: What challenges has your organization faced during the past 6 months? How has your work been impacted by thisAdministration’s anti-immigrant agenda?
JustCause:Like many organizations, we have experienced increased demand for services while navigating funding uncertainty. Anti-immigrant rhetoric and policy proposals create fear and confusion within immigrant communities, increasing the need for legal education, consultation, and representation while placing additional strain on already-limited resources.
I-ARC:If you woke up tomorrow with a magic wand, what is the number one barrier you would make disappear for the immigrant community? What barrier would you make disappear for immigration legal service providers?
JustCause: For immigrant communities, we would eliminate barriers to obtaining stable legal status and protection. For providers, we would eliminate the resource gap that prevents organizations from meeting the overwhelming demand for services.
I-ARC:What message do you have for people who are not ingrained in immigration law on a daily basis, but are trying to understand the black box that is immigration court?
JustCause: Immigration law is one of the most complex areas of law in the United States. Behind every case is a person or family seeking safety, stability, and opportunity. Access to accurate information, qualified legal representation, and community support can make an enormous difference in outcomes.
I-ARC:As your organization remains committed to helping immigrant New Yorkers, what major activities/efforts are you planning next?
JustCause:We will continue expanding pro bono engagement, strengthening community partnerships, increasing legal education opportunities, and developing innovative ways to provide immigration services despite ongoing funding and capacity challenges.
How To Reach Out to JustCause
Are you an immigrant in the Rochester region in need of help?
Individuals seeking assistance can contact JustCause at (585) 232-3051 or visit www.justcauseny.org to learn about available services and intake opportunities.
Are you a legal services provider looking to connect with JustCause for potential collaboration?
Organizations interested in collaboration or attorneys interested in volunteering can contact the JustCause office through the website, call (585) 232-3051, or reach out to Carla Perez directly at cperez@justcauseny.org. JustCause welcomes partnerships that help expand access to justice and strengthen support for immigrant communities.
