Immigration courts are increasingly fast-tracking cases, bolstered by two recent restrictive decisions, Matter of C-A-A-R and Matter of H-A-A-V, which permit judges to summarily dismiss or pretermit asylum applications deemed “incomplete,” denying many applicants a full evidentiary hearing. With legal aid systems stretched far beyond capacity, hundreds of asylum seekers are now forced to face immigration court alone, often without completed applications or legal guidance.
To help close this gap, the National Lawyers Guild San Francisco/Bay Area Chapter (NLG SF/Bay Area) & the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS), are offering a skills-based training for law students and volunteer attorneys interested in assisting pro se asylum seekers.
The training will provide a practical overview of asylum law and form preparation, including how to identify eligibility, complete a legally sufficient I-589, and frame strong, credible claims. Participants will learn to spot common errors, understand recent case law, and screen for potential bars to relief or alternative forms of protection. The session is designed to equip participants with the core skills needed to assist pro se asylum seekers effectively.
Northern California-based volunteers who complete the training can join upcoming NLG SF/Bay Area’s initiatives, including community legal clinics, hospital-based legal programs, and regional help desks across the Bay Area, to support pro se asylum seekers. Volunteers participating in these efforts will work one-on-one with asylum seekers to prepare Form I-589 applications, with guidance from NLG SF/Bay Area attorneys and other partner organizations. Please note your interest and availability in the registration form.