Afghan Legal Services Project

The Afghan Legal Services Project

If you want to know more about the American withdrawal and the ways it affected our Afghan allies, you may be interested in this recent CBS Sunday Morning report.

After the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, approximately 76,000 Afghans were evacuated and brought to the United States. Primarily, these individuals were given parole status that allowed them to remain in the United States for 2 years. Parole status provides no assurance that they can remain in the United States after their parole expires. As a result, Afghan parolees are a vulnerable group, arriving in a new country with no guarantee they will be allowed to stay and faced with an overwhelming immigration process. They fear being forced to go back to Afghanistan where they could be harmed.

Missouri received 1,750 Afghan evacuees for resettlement in Fall 2021. The Missouri Office of Refugee Administration has designated Asylum Clinic Kansas City to serve as legal services coordinator for the resettlement agencies serving Afghan evacuees in western Missouri. We are proud to serve this role and invite you to join us in this important work.

If you are an attorney would like to know more about volunteer opportunities, please contact admin@asylumclinickc.org.

How Can You Help?

Donate

Your generous contributions make a huge difference in the services we can offer to our Afghan neighbors. Often the hardest part of doing the good work is funding it. Consider donating today!

Donate Here

Volunteer

Are you a lawyer or law student who is interested in working with Afghan clients? We have a host of volunteer opportunities ranging from direct representation to clinic day volunteering.

Volunteer Opportunities

Spread the Word

Remember - sharing is caring. Spreading the word about our organization to your friends, family, and coworkers either on social media or elsewhere helps us connect to donors, volunteers, and clients. Share today!

Volunteer Opportunities for Legal Professionals

Legal Professional Volunteer Form

Mentor

(Immigration Attorneys Only)

Asylum Clinic Kansas City expects some attorney volunteers to represent Afghan parolees. While we will provide access to training for volunteers without a significant background in immigration law, we anticipate that they will have questions as they meet the specific needs of the Afghan parolees. The mentor will address nonspecialists’ questions and provide case strategy expertise. We can design this opportunity to meet your needs. For instance, mentoring can be arranged as virtual “office hours” for a limited time period each week.

Asylum - Full Representation

(Licensed Attorneys Only)

We expect most Afghan parolees will need assistance to apply for asylum based on fear of persecution if returned to Afghanistan. Attorney will file a Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and represent the client throughout the application process. Congress has instructed the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to interview Afghan evacuees within 45 days after they file an asylum petition, and to generally issue a final decision within 150 days, so we expect adjudication to be quicker than usual for asylum cases. Interpreters will be provided, as necessary, to ensure clear communication. Attorney will be provided access to training and materials to aid in the preparation of an asylum application as well as access to an immigration specialist mentor that can answer questions and provide case strategy expertise.

Attendance at Interview

(Licensed Attorneys Only)

After client has filed an application with the immigration service and received a date and time to attend an in-person interview with an immigration officer, the attorney will help prepare client and attend the interview. The attorney will be expected to take notes during the interview and, if needed provide clarifications or explain facts to keep the interview on track. We will provide training, as needed.

Asylum - Pro Se Assistance

Volunteer will arrange a time to meet with a parolee in person and assist in completing an asylum application and drafting a personal declaration supporting the asylum claim. Interpreters will be provided, if necessary, to ensure clear communication. Volunteer will be provided access to training and materials to aid in the preparation of an asylum application. There will be no ongoing commitment after completion of the application and declaration. Parolee’s case will be referred on for further development and support.

Pro Se Clinic Volunteer

Volunteer will attend a clinic event in person to assist a parolee in completing an application for temporary protected status (TPS) and/or an application for asylum. We expect the time commitment to be approximately 5 hours. Interpreters will be provided to ensure clear communication. Volunteer will be provided access to training and materials to aid in the preparation of the application. There will be no ongoing commitment after completion of the application and declaration. Parolee’s case will be completed during the clinic or referred after the clinic for further development and support.

Volunteer Opportunities for Non-Legal Professionals

Non-Legal Volunteer Form

Clinic Event Volunteer

Greeting and directing volunteers, set up, clean up, scanning documents, administrative work, etc., at a designated clinic event scheduled over a weekend or some other specific time.

Long Term / Regular Volunteer

This volunteer can be a part of both special events and regular volunteering. Job duties include a variety of needs.

Translator

For those that are fluent in Darsi, Farsi, Pashto, English, etc., you may be able to act as an interpreter at special events or other meetings as well as provide translation services for documents that we receive from Afghan clients (birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.)

Special Volunteer

If you feel like you have a special qualification or would be able to help in a way not already listed, please let us know.