Lawyers come to aid of immigrants in crisis, for free

"A heightened awareness of a changing immigration policy landscape has motivated Minnesota lawyers to pursue immigration cases pro bono, or for free.

One of them is Meghan Elliott, Apogee Enterprises' general counsel. Her full-time job is doing legal work for Viracon — the company that made the glass for U.S. Bank Stadium. The work she does pro bono is completely different.

"I think most people will tell you that they do pro bono because it provides more of a connection to the community that you live in," she said.

When Elliott was first introduced to immigration work, she immediately fell in love with it. Her first immigration case was applying for asylum for a husband and wife from Ethiopia. She worked with the couple for five years, and they were eventually granted asylum. Later, their son served in the U.S. military and they started a nonprofit in St. Paul..."

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