Immigrant Teen’s Plight Inspires Wiley Rein Pro Bono Team

Wiley Rein’s pro bono team knew it would be heart-wrenching to interview the prospective civil rights plaintiff, a 17-year-old Mexican immigrant with acknowledged mental health problems.

The lawyers had been contacted by the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs based on Wiley Rein’s familiarity with immigration matters and past involvement in pro bono litigation over conditions of juvenile confinement.

Now, the two groups were considering filing a putative class action on behalf of dozens of immigrant children confined for illegal entry into the U.S. to the Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Center in Staunton, Va., a federal government contractor. ...