JustiGuide wants to use AI to help people navigate the US immigration system

Navigating the U.S. immigration system can be a daunting task, marked by complexity and high costs. Enter JustiGuide, a startup aiming to simplify this process through an innovative AI-driven portal. This platform is designed to assist immigrants in the U.S. — with plans to expand globally — by clarifying legal options and connecting them with immigration attorneys, ultimately making the journey more affordable and efficient. Founder Bisi Obateru, originally from Nigeria, shared his own experiences with the U.S. immigration system after completing his studies. Having successfully obtained an H1-B visa and later a green card, Obateru's personal journey inspired him to create JustiGuide. "By making technology more accessible, we empower individuals to complete their own forms and understand their options, using lawyers primarily for review," he explained to TechCrunch. JustiGuide recently earned recognition as the best pitch in the Policy + Protection category at TechCrunch’s Disrupt conference. The startup's clientele includes startup founders seeking to hire immigrants, H1-B visa holders exploring alternatives, international students interested in entrepreneurship, and legal professionals. Obateru envisions a future where government agencies might also consider licensing their technology. The platform features an AI-driven legal research assistant and a system that connects lawyers with immigrants, aiming to expedite form-filling processes. This tool provides legal practitioners with services that enhance document compilation and streamline tasks typically handled by paralegals. The AI, affectionately named Dolores, currently serves 47,000 users and is tailored specifically for U.S. immigration. Trained on a database of over 40,000 court cases from the Free Law Project, Dolores is capable of translations in twelve languages, enhancing accessibility for a diverse user base. Initially, JustiGuide programmed Dolores to scour social media platforms such as Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, identifying immigrants who might need assistance and reaching out with helpful information. To ensure user confidentiality, JustiGuide’s platform prioritizes security with on-premises storage and encryption. Personal data is exchanged only when an immigrant connects with a lawyer, and some information is anonymized for added privacy protection.