Mary Georgevich

The Project

Mary’s Fellowship defended and expanded the rights of Somali Minnesotans to liberty, due process, and family unity through strategic litigation in immigration and federal courts, and related public education and advocacy.

There is an urgent, unmet need for representation among Somali Minnesotans whom ICE plans to detain and deport. Many could qualify for relief from deportation because they face persecution in Somalia or because of family ties in Minnesota. Unfortunately, most are unable to effectively pursue defenses to deportation because authorities are once again subjecting them to coercive, arbitrary, and often unlawfully prolonged civil detention. But most detained Somali Minnesotans lack the resources and counsel necessary to challenge their deportation orders in immigration courts while also fighting for release in federal court.

Fellowship Highlights:

During the two-year Fellowship, Mary:

• Provided representation that resulted in multiple Somali men and women remaining in the United States and obtaining release from ICE custody
• Provided direct representation, consultations, and pro se support to individuals in ICE custody
• With a team of students and other attorneys, as well as individually, filed petitions for writs of habeas corpus in federal court successfully challenged unconstitutional detention and bond procedures
• Partnered with other organizations in the Twin Cities to improve legal and healthcare assistance to Somali people inICE custody and upon release from ICE custody

Next Steps

Mary plans to continue working with immigrants in removal proceedings in Minnesota with the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. She will provide individual representation and continue policy work and impact litigation to work toward systemic change.

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