Celebrating CBA’s pro bono volunteers

When crises around the world dominate the headlines, Canadians find themselves wanting to do something to help but often feeling powerless to do so.

Because of the work they do, immigration lawyers are in a position to provide assistance to people fleeing wars, natural disasters or other calamities. Since 2005, the Immigration Law Section of the CBA has stepped in with pro bono services in times of crises to help those who are eligible come to Canada.

When the United States announced its rapid withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, the Section sprang into action and quickly set up an initiative to facilitate procedures for eligible Afghans to come to Canada. Especially those who, having worked for international organizations or the Afghan justice system, were especially vulnerable to violent if not lethal retaliation by the Taliban.

About 10 lawyers, able to offer services in Farsi, Dari or Pashto, have been hard at work for months doing what they can to provide assistance to eligible Afghans.

That work can be heartbreaking, explains Lisa Middlemiss, who has been leading the Immigration Section pro bono initiatives. “Because the government was facing issues with regards to evacuating potential candidates, it’s been far slower and more painful” to provide help than with the similar pro bono initiative the Section set up to help vulnerable Ukrainians reach Canada, shortly after Russia invaded that country. About 25 lawyers volunteer with this initiative.

Bjorna Shkurti, who coordinates the pro bono initiatives, is an immigrant herself, originally from Albania. “I shared the same path as a lot of these people that are looking to come to Canada,” and the situation in Ukraine hits pretty close to home. She feels fortunate to be where she is today. “I just want to give a little bit of the generosity that other people have shown needs to be where I am today, back to some of these other people.”