Political activists, Afghan citizens who supported the U.S. military and internal NGOs who fled the Taliban, women and children fleeing familial violence and entering the U.S. on the southern U.S. border, and LGBTQ+ persons escaping draconian laws that punish sexual orientation—there are many reasons for asking for legal protection in the United States. The needs of brave asylum seekers are often highly complex, and they may require a wide-range of legal services.
This program provides an orientation to immigration law that is useful for lawyers who are interested in developing an immigration practice and for anyone who wants to effectively represent an asylum seeker in an immigration case. The faculty includes the director of the asylum office, experienced practitioners from the private bar, a doctor specializing in trauma, and knowledgeable attorneys from the private sector and legal services organizations. These experts teach you how to prepare an asylum application under the immigration law, how the law defines past persecution, where to file an asylum case, and how to comply with court and administrative procedures. They explain how to work with your client to build the strongest possible case and how to avoid common pitfalls like an adverse credibility finding.
Political Asylum/Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project
PAIR coordinates a panel of over 600 volunteer attorneys representing asylum seekers. Other organizations in Boston also rely on volunteer attorneys. If you are willing to join a legal services pro bono/volunteer lawyers panel and accept one case within the next year, your reduced tuition is $65. After the program, MCLE will forward your name to the cosponsoring organization, and you will be contacted regarding your panel assignment.
MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.