Business Details
21 Years
experience
Protecting Human Rights in Alaska Since 2005
The Alaska Immigration Justice (AIJ) has been a steadfast advocate for human rights since its founding in 2005. Our organization was established to address critical gaps in legal representation and language access for underserved communities across Alaska, including immigrants, refugees, and Alaska Native populations. Over nearly two decades, we have expanded our mission to include climate justice initiatives while maintaining our core focus on protecting vulnerable individuals through legal services, language interpreter training, and community-based advocacy. Our team of experienced attorneys, certified interpreters, and climate justice specialists works statewidefrom Anchorage to Juneau and remote rural communitiesto ensure equitable access to justice and essential services. We prioritize trauma-informed care for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and persecution while developing innovative programs like our Medical Interpreter Fellowship and Alaska Native language preservation efforts.Through strategic partnerships with government agencies, healthcare providers, and social service organizations, we have served over 7,000 Alaskans since inception. Our commitment to excellence has been recognized through numerous awards, including the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award and multiple honors from the Alaska Bar Association. As a federally tax-exempt nonprofit, we maintain strict adherence to ethical standards while advocating for policy reforms that protect human rights. Our statewide reach, specialized expertise, and community-driven approach position us as Alaska's premier organization for integrated legal, linguistic, and climate justice solutions.
Services
Legal Representation
Language Interpreter Services
Climate Justice Research
Human Trafficking Support
Domestic Violence Advocacy
Medical Interpreter Training
Translation Services
Pro Bono Asylum Cases
Language Access Consulting
Community Education Programs
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We have over 15 years of experience in human rights advocacy across Alaska's unique legal landscape
- Our staff includes federally certified medical interpreters and court-certified language professionals
- We operate the only statewide Language Interpreter Center in Alaska
- Our climate justice program directly partners with Alaska Native communities
- We maintain a 98% success rate in asylum cases over the past decade
Services
Legal Representation
Our legal team provides critical immigration services with a focus on trauma-informed representation for crime survivors. We specialize in asylum cases, domestic violence protection, and family reunification matters. Our attorneys maintain federal certifications and have secured over $2 million in grants to support vulnerable populations.
Language Interpreter Services
The statewide Language Interpreter Center connects organizations with certified professionals in 35+ languages including Yupik and Hmong. We provide training programs that meet federal court and medical certification standards while maintaining strict confidentiality protocols for legal and healthcare settings.
Climate Justice Research
Our climate program partners with Alaska Native communities to develop relocation strategies and policy frameworks addressing climate displacement. We combine traditional ecological knowledge with scientific research to protect indigenous rights in environmental policymaking at state and federal levels.
Human Trafficking Support
We offer comprehensive services for trafficking survivors including T visa applications, trauma counseling referrals, and access to social services. Our specialized legal team has handled over 200 trafficking cases with a 92% success rate in securing immigration protections for victims.
Medical Interpreter Training
Our nationally recognized training program prepares bilingual individuals for medical interpreter certification. The 40-hour curriculum meets Bridging the Gap standards and includes hands-on practice with healthcare providers across Alaska's diverse clinical environments.
People
Heather Arnett
Board President
Nonprofit governance expert with 15 years of board leadership experience. Oversees strategic direction and organizational accountability for Alaska's leading human rights organization.
Robin Bronen
Executive Director
Human rights attorney and PhD holder with expertise in immigration law and climate displacement. Leads AIJ's legal and policy initiatives while maintaining active federal court certifications.
Indra Arriaga
Legal Program Director
Supervising attorney with specialization in family-based immigration and asylum cases. Manages legal staff across multiple Alaska communities and directs pro bono partnership programs.
Kari Robinson
Deputy Director
Policy expert with focus on language access rights and civil liberties. Oversees statewide interpreter network operations and coordinates training programs for government agencies.
Ivette Lugo
Rural Outreach Coordinator
Community engagement specialist connecting remote Alaska Native populations with legal and language services. Coordinates mobile outreach clinics and cultural competency training programs.
Questions
What legal services do you offer for immigrants?
We provide asylum representation, domestic violence protection cases, family reunification petitions, and trafficking victim advocacy with free/low-cost options.
How can I access language interpreter services?
Contact our Language Interpreter Center for certified interpreters in 35+ languages through our online scheduling system or toll-free hotline.
Do you serve rural Alaskan communities?
Yes, our staff travels to remote locations including Unalaska, Kotzebue, and Nome for legal consultations and interpreter training programs.
What climate justice initiatives do you lead?
We partner with Native communities on relocation planning, environmental policy advocacy, and research documenting climate displacement impacts.
Are your legal services free?
We offer sliding-scale fees and full pro bono representation for qualifying clients, particularly crime survivors and asylum seekers.
How do you train medical interpreters?
Our 40-hour Bridging the Gap program includes ethics training, medical terminology, and hands-on practice with healthcare professionals across Alaska.
