Human Rights First is planning an asylum training in October for attorneys interested in taking a pro bono asylum case and others interested in learning more about asylum law and procedure. The training is free and CLE credit will be offered. No prior experience in immigration law is necessary.

Since 1978, Human Rights First has worked to protect and promote fundamental human rights around the world. Human Rights First's Refugee Representation program assists indigent refugees from all backgrounds who have fled persecution on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, and who are seeking asylum in the United States. Many of these asylum seekers are in urgent need of legal representation to prepare their cases for adjudication by judges at the Immigration Court. Others need representation before the Asylum Office. Some need legal assistance to seek release from immigration detention or representation to fight their cases from within the detention center. Others need legal assistance to seek permanent residence in the form of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), which is available to some immigrant children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a birth parent. This training will give you a strong foundation for taking one of these cases for pro bono representation through our program. Pro bono cases represented through Human Rights First will qualify New Jersey attorneys for an exemption from Madden pro bono counsel assignments.

The training will be on October 16, 2014, at the law firm of Gibbons P.C. located at One Gateway Center, Newark, NJ. The training will begin at 9:20 a.m. and will run until Noon. An immigration judge, an asylum officer, an expert on working with survivors of torture, and a Human Rights First attorney will speak on techniques for representing asylum applicants and recent developments in asylum law.

RSVP for this New Jersey training to Adham Elkady at ElkadyA@humanrightsfirst.org by October 15, 2014.