Presenters:

• Carolyn George, Supervising Attorney, Dwa Fanm
• Joanne Macri, Director, Criminal Defense Immigration Project, New York State Defenders Association
• Premila Reddy, HILAP Volunteer Attorney
• Sarah Vendzules, Immigration Unit Attorney, Brooklyn Defender Services
• Marianne Yang, Immigration Unit Director, Brooklyn Defender Services

Topics Include:

• Temporary Protected Status (TPS): Benefits and Risks; Eligibility Requirements; Fee Requirements; and Fee Waiver Requests
• Clinic Process: Intake; Criminal Check; Filling Out Forms; andExit Procedures

About HILAP

The Haitian Immigration Legal Assistance Program (HILAP) was formed soon after January's tragic earthquake to assist Haitian immigrants in Brooklyn who may be eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS allows Haitians who were in the United States on
the date of the earthquake to obtain legal status and work authorization. Since February, HILAP has held a series of immigration clinics staffed by volunteer attorneys and immigration experts and assisted over 280 members of Brooklyn's Haitian community. There is still a great need for volunteer attorneys to staff ongoing weekly HILAP clinics every Monday from 10 am - 4 pm and additional clinics (including Saturdays) in the heart of Brooklyn's Haitian communities. Under the supervision of immigration experts, HILAP volunteer attorneys provide advice and information about the risks and benefits of TPS, prepare TPS applications and related forms, and provide referrals to other resources as needed.

This course is open to both new and existing HILAP volunteers. Volunteers who attended the first HILAP training are encouraged to attend. This course is appropriate for newly admitted and experienced attorneys.

If you are an experienced immigration attorney and/or a Creole speaker and are interested in volunteering for HILAP, please contact Jessica Spiegel at 718-624-3894, ext. 4 or Marianne Yang at 718-254-0700, ext. 167.

Program Costs

This course is FREE to those who agree to volunteer for a minimum of two three-hour sessions with the Haitian Immigration Legal Assistance Program (HILAP).