About the Fellowship Program
The Michael Maggio Immigrants’ Rights Summer Fellowship was established jointly in 2009 by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law (CHRCL), and the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIP/NLG), to commemorate the life and legal contributions of Michael Maggio.
Michael Maggio was an extraordinary immigration attorney and individual who was a life-long advocate for justice, equality, and peace. Throughout his career, Michael received countless professional awards and was honored for his extraordinary legal representation, astute strategizing, unwavering commitment to the highest ethical standards, and his deep passion for justice and upholding the rule of law. He was an active member of AILA, the National Lawyers Guild, and served on the Board of Directors of the National Immigration Project. He was also an active supporter of the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law. Michael died in February 2008 after a courageous battle with cancer.
The Maggio Immigrants’ Right Fellowship program selected its first recipient in 2009, for summer 2010. One summer fellowship will be awarded to a law student each year.
The primary mission of the fellowship program is to strengthen law students’ long-term commitment to promote justice and equality for vulnerable immigrant groups. The fellowship program also aims to support applicants from diverse backgrounds, including applicants with personal experience of the immigration enforcement system, immigrants, women, people of color, persons with disabilities, persons with diverse gender and sexual identities, and formerly incarcerated people. Fellows will be chosen by the three sponsoring organizations, and will be selected based on the strength of their proposed host site and project.
Fellowship Description
The Fellowship will be awarded to one law student each summer to work on a student-initiated project. Applications for the 2024 Fellowship must be received by February 16, 2024 (see application form for details). Students must submit a project proposal with an organization willing to host the student for 10 weeks and provide a $1,000 stipend. The $1,000 amount may be paid by the host organization or may be provided by the law student through other means, e.g., law school public interest funding, independent fundraising, etc. The Maggio Immigrants’ Rights Fellowship will provide an additional $3,500 stipend for a total award of $4,500.
Responsibilities of Host Organization
The host organization must be willing to host the student for 10 weeks and provide a $1,000 stipend. The $1,000 amount may be paid from the host organization’s funds or may be provided by the law student through other means, e.g., law school public interest funding, independent fundraising, etc. The host organization must commit to supervise and provide all logistical needs of the Fellow including office space and supplies. Host organizations in underserved regions or performing work that supports people who have less access to immigration assistance or resources will be prioritized.
Stipend and Other Benefits
The total stipend payment for the ten-week summer Fellowship is $4,500. For the 2024 Fellowship, fiscal sponsor, the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law (CHRCL), will pay $3,500 and the host organization will pay $1,000. The Fellow will also receive the following benefits:
- a complimentary registration for the 2024 AILA Annual Conference;
- a complimentary registration to the 2024 NLG Annual Convention;
- a $500 travel stipend to attend the 2024 National Lawyers Guild Annual Convention;
- a complimentary registration to the National Immigration Project’s Immigration Skills seminar, if any, at the 2024 NLG Convention.
View the selection criteria and application form.
Donate to Support a Maggio Fellow
The three sponsoring organizations have agreed to raise funds for the Maggio Immigrants’ Rights Fellowship Program. We gratefully accept donations in ANY amount to support the Maggio Immigrants’ Rights Fellows. All money donated goes toward the Maggio Fellowship Program. None of it will be used for administrative costs of the sponsoring organizations. Please indicate on the donation page that you would like the funds to go towards the Maggio Fellowship. Thank you!
Questions?
Email Erin Lynum at elynum@aila.org with any questions.
