A US-based charity that provides free lawyers to children in immigration courts has branched out into the UK.

Kids in Need of Defense, which was founded by Microsoft President Brad Smith and actress Angelina Jolie, will use professional lawyers in this country to give legal advice and representation to tens of thousands of youngsters facing residency issues and subsequent exploitation, abuse, homelessness and deportation.

The organisation helps undocumented children, such as those who are British but unable to prove it or have lived in this country without any immigration status, through no fault of their own. Kids in Need of Defense UK helps these individuals with applications to the Home Office regarding citizenship or leave to remain in the UK.

“Pro Bono attorneys can be a lifeline to the tens of thousands of vulnerable children who must navigate the immigration courts alone,” said Smith, who is also the chair of Kids in Need of Defense. “What we do is help children find his or her voice, so their story can be told and can be heard. We started by talking to one firm, one partner, and now in the US we work with more than 400 law firms, companies and law schools in 10 different cities. We’ve trained over 15,000 lawyers, and they went on to help someone in their moment of need and made a difference in somebody’s life. Here in the UK, you have an opportunity to not just build on that but help create a movement for Pro Bono work.”