RMIAN-CBA Annual Immigration Law Training Announcement

This year, the administration change, COVID-19, a dedicated docket for family unity at the Denver Immigration Court, and precedential immigration decisions have created new opportunities and unique challenges for individuals in immigration proceedings. The need for legal representation is greater than ever. Join RMIAN’s team of dedicated and passionate pro bono attorneys in advocating for and providing free immigration legal services to Colorado immigrant adults held in immigration detention, children, and survivors of crime. 

This year’s annual training, a longstanding partnership between CBA-CLE and RMIAN, co-sponsored by the Colorado Bar Association Immigration Law Section, will take place virtually, on Friday, October 29, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and will count towards CLE accreditation in Colorado. This training is offered at a discounted rate of $75 for attorneys who sign up for a RMIAN pro bono case in the next year! For more information and to register, click the link below.

RMIAN volunteers with APDC and Lichter Immigration to support Afghans applying for Humanitarian Parole.

Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover last month, hundreds of thousands of Afghan nationals fearing for their lives and the lives of their families rushed to find a way out of the country. Among those seeking refuge are U.S. allies, women, children, journalists, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities. The Biden administration has pledged to resettle 65,000 Afghans in the United States by the end of the month, with nearly 37,000 arrivals ready to begin the process. On Wednesday, September 15, the administration announced the number of arrivals each state could expect to host, with Colorado slated to receive over 800 arrivals by the end of the month. 

To assist those seeking humanitarian parole, members of RMIAN's team are volunteering with Asian Pacific Development Center (APDC) and Lichter Immigration for their Afghan Assistance - Humanitarian Parole Program. RMIAN volunteers will work alongside APDC, Lichter Immigration, and other volunteers to oversee workshops, screen participants, and prepare application packets for Afghan participants preparing to apply for humanitarian parole. RMIAN is proud of the dedicated and thoughtful staff members volunteering their time to assist those facing this unimaginable crisis and encourages Coloradans to support newly arrived Afghans as they rebuild lives in the United States. If you would like to support critical resettlement services, access to health and mental health services, and legal services to evacuees as they navigate pathways towards permanency in the U.S., please consider donating to Colorado Afghan Evacuee Support Fund.

Treatment of Haitian Migrants at the Border

RMIAN condemns the cruel and inhumane treatment of Haitian asylum-seekers at our border. We call on the Biden administration to stop all deportation flights to Haiti and investigate the actions of Border Patrol agents in Del Rio.

CBP's response to those seeking protection is rooted in racism. The use of horses, whips and other mistreatment to round up Haitian refugees is unconscionable, and CBP must be held accountable.

image source: afp via gettyimages

Haitian migrants are refugees fleeing compounding crises, including a 7.2 magnitude earthquake and the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. The Biden Administration must stop all deportation flights immediately and terminate Title 42 to allow asylum-seekers their legal right to claim protection.

RMIAN participates in Detention Watch Network’s National Day of Action

“Immigration detention has proven to be both dangerous and unnecessary. It’s time for us to move away from the mass incarceration of the immigration context. We can reduce the harm of individuals and communities—while also ensuring that immigrants appear for their hearings—by instead investing in community-based support programs and appointed counsel.” - Jorge Loweree, RMIAN Board Member

On September 23, RMIAN participated in Detention Watch Network's National Day of Action. Despite campaign promises made by President Biden, the number of people in detention has increased significantly in the past year. People seeking safety in the United States are being deprived of liberty, separated from loved ones, and excluded from the community by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), all during the midst of a dangerous and deadly pandemic. 

RMIAN joined together with immigrant rights advocates from across the country to fight for freedom, opportunity, and dignity for detained immigrants and people seeking asylum. The fight for justice and access to due process and liberty must continue! #FreeThemAll 

Thank you to those who participated in the SIJS predicate order CLE

RMIAN would like to thank the Colorado Lawyers Committee for co-hosting a two-part training on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Predicate Orders in August and September 2021. SIJS provides a pathway to lawful permanent residence for immigrant children who cannot be reunified with one or both parents due to abuse, abandonment, or neglect. RMIAN would also like to thank our presenters, Kacie Mulhern, Staff Attorney, Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center, and Kathleen Glynn, Senior Associate Attorney, Grob & Eirich, LLC, for sharing their time and expertise. RMIAN would also like to thank our mentor attorneys who have volunteered their time to guide new volunteers through the state court process. RMIAN would also like to thank the many volunteers who volunteered to take a pro bono case from RMIAN through the training program. If you, or an attorney you know, are interested in representing a child pursuing Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, please contact probonochildrens@rmian.org.

Job postings

In May, the Biden administration announced that the Denver Immigration Court would receive a Dedicated Docket which will unfairly force certain asylum-seeking families through the asylum process on an expedited basis. To ensure that asylum-seeking families in Colorado are educated and informed about legal rights, court procedures, and relief from removal, RMIAN is hiring a Children’s Program staff attorney and legal assistant. Find out more about these positions below and please help us spread the word!

Children’s Program Staff Attorney

Children’s Program Legal Assistant

Bilingual Staff Social Worker