April 18, 2022
Hundreds of Afghan families in Los Angeles are facing a one-year deadline to submit their asylum application so they can safely and legally remain in the United States and obtain lawful permanent residency.
Since the fall of Kabul to Taliban forces in August 2021, IILA has received 889 Afghans. Over half of our clients have already found permanent homes and enrolled their children in school. Nearly all are looking for jobs or have found work so that they can rebuild their lives. Applying for asylum is the critical next step to their successful resettlement and obtaining a green card.
As the US immigration system, resettlement agencies, and immigration attorneys are facing major delays and increased caseloads, IILA is launching the Afghan Legal Representation Project (ALRP) to ensure that our clients are on track to meet the one-year asylum deadline.
We need your help to find legal and non-legal volunteers to assist with this process in the coming months.
Legal Professionals & Law Students |
Non-Legal Volunteers & Dari/Pashto Translators |
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We are looking for legal professionals and law students who are interested in providing pro bono legal assistance to Afghan evacuees, which may include asylum, Special Immigrant Visa, P1/2 refugee status, Temporary Protected Status, and other legal applications. |
We are looking for volunteers who can provide assistance to Afghans applying for asylum and other legal matters. Tasks may include helping to fill out applications, translating documents in Dari/Pashto, proof-reading, delivering documents, and other non-legal tasks. |
WHAT IS ASYLUM?
Asylum is a form of legal protection for people who are physically present in the US, who suffered and/or fear future persecution in their home country. The majority of Afghan evacuees admitted to the US are on humanitarian parole, which is a temporary status. Currently, most need to apply for asylum within a year of their arrival. After asylum is granted, they can apply to be a Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder).
WHAT’S NEXT?
IILA expects to conduct orientations for legal professionals in May 2022 and to match Afghan clients with volunteers to work on their asylum applications in June and July 2022.
After you submit your sign-up form, we will reach out to you if there is a good fit and a need for your assistance.
KNOW AN ATTORNEY OR DARI/PASHTO SPEAKER?
If you know attorneys or other legal professionals interested in pro bono services, please share this email with them! We are also in need of translators & interpreters to assist limited-English proficient families.
WE’RE HIRING!
We are searching for Immigration Attorneys and a Caseworker to join IILA’s Afghan Legal Representation Project! See the job descriptions and other opportunities at our Careers page.
Asylum Saves Lives |
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Silvi writes: “I aspire to be a good citizen here – to pay my taxes, have good credits, and my dream is to buy a house here.
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Last month, our client Silvi was granted asylum after a long, difficult process. Silvi came to the US as an unaccompanied minor and was placed in removal proceedings. She had been forced to flee her home country after receiving death threats from local gangs.
