Asylum is available to people fleeing persecution in their home countries due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. This training session is intended to prepare probono attorneys to represent indigent clients in asylum cases at the affirmative stage and to represent detained individuals. Topics include U.S. asylum law, working with victims of trauma, preparing the I-589 application form, documenting asylum cases, credible and reasonable fear interviews, and other legal issues. Practice before the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Asylum Office will also be discussed. The faculty will include experienced immigration practitioners as well as staff from the Arlington USCIS Asylum Office.

The Pro Bono Program will provide a continental breakfast. Participants are responsible for their own lunch.  

This training is appropriate for attorneys, paralegals, and law students. Attorneys who agree to take on a pro bono case in the future must be admitted to practice in some U.S. jurisdiction and have their own malpractice insurance.

Training participants are strongly encouraged to accept a pro bono referral from one of the sponsoring organizations.