Each year, thousands of immigrants face detention and deportation without the ability to afford a lawyer or the right to a public defender during their hearings. The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights was created to ensure they are not alone. As the only nonprofit in the Capital region focused on providing free legal and social services to immigrant children and adults who are detained and at risk of deportation, it offers legal orientation, individual consultation, pro bono representation, and "Know Your Rights" trainings. Its Children’s Program assists unaccompanied immigrant children in detention, and the Immigration Impact Lab uses impact litigation to seek to usher in systematic change. It also trains attorneys working in the immigration and criminal justice arenas, conducts extensive community outreach and education, and passionately advocates for policies that protect immigrant rights. Now helping immigrants across multiple states, Amica Center allows them to successfully navigate the immigration system.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 2

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; MD-Statewide; VA-Statewide

Age Groups Served: Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-49); All

Population(s) Served: Individuals with Disabilities; Individuals who identify as LGBTQ; Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Men/Boys; Women/Girls; Immigrants/Refugees; Gays/Lesbians; HIV/AIDs


  • Number of people (clients, patrons, students, etc) we serve annually:   1,500
  • Number of volunteers who work with us annually:   500
  • Number of hours of volunteer work we record annually:   2,000
  • Number of children who received "Know Your Rights" presentations:   1,000
  • Number of volunteer hours donated by pro bono attorneys:   22,000

Awards & Recognition

HBA-DC's 2013 Hugh A. Johnson Memorial Award
Kathy Doan, Executive Director, recepient of 2015 Jerrold Scoutt Prize from the DC Bar Foundation

Press

Budget (FY2023)

  • The current budget for AMICA Center for Immigrant Rights (formerly Capital Area Immigrant Rights Coalition) is: $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

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