Undergraduate Legal Orientation Program Intern

Organizational Overview 

The Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free immigration legal services and social services to adults in immigration detention and to children and their families across Colorado. RMIAN’s Detention Program provides legal and social service support to individuals held at the privately-owned civil immigration detention facility located in Aurora, Colorado. The Detention Program provides daily Know-Your-Rights presentations and case intakes through the Legal Orientation Program and also directly represents detained clients – often in collaboration with RMIAN’s social workers. RMIAN’s Detention Program also refers a large number of cases to volunteer attorneys through a robust pro bono referral program. 

RMIAN hosts an undergraduate student intern for the fall, spring, and summer terms to assist the Legal Orientation Program (LOP)

The LOP is a government-funded Know-Your-Rights program that seeks to educate and inform individuals detained at the Aurora immigration detention facility, providing information about rights in removal proceedings, court procedures, release options, and relief from removal. In addition to providing general information in a group setting, members of the LOP team also conduct individual intakes to screen cases for referral to volunteer pro bono counsel, as well as RMIAN direct representation staff attorneys. Additionally, the LOP team is responsible for providing comprehensive pro se support, including individual sessions and group workshops, to people facing deportation proceedings without the assistance of counsel. 

Internship Overview 

This is a part-time, unpaid internship to last for the duration of one term (timeframes listed below). The intern must be based near Denver, Colorado, and be willing to come to RMIAN’s office in Westminster, Colorado, at least one day per week, in accordance with local COVID-19 guidelines. Otherwise, this will be a remote position and the selected candidate will be expected to work from their personal laptop or computer.

Proposed terms for the intern position: 

Fall: 12-20 hours per week, from the end of August to the end of November 

Spring: 12-20 hours per week, from the mid-January to the end of April 

Summer: 20-30 hours per week, from mid-May to mid-August 

RMIAN is willing to alter the start and end dates as well as the exact number of hours but exercises a strong preference for the stated parameters. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

While this position is unpaid, RMIAN is happy to coordinate with your academic institution if course credit can be offered for participation in this internship or to certify work for any outside funding source. 

The Ideal Candidate: 

❖ Is an undergraduate or community college student 

❖ Is based near Denver, Colorado, and is willing to come to RMIAN’s office in Westminster at least once a week (while adhering to mask-wearing and social-distancing protocols) 

❖ Is proficient in English and Spanish (other language proficiency will also be considered)2 ❖ Is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and is able to effectively and compassionately work with people from diverse backgrounds 

❖ Is interested in learning more about the US immigration system and/or non-profit organizations ❖ Is excited to innovate and streamline administrative processes and contribute to efficient workflow in a fast-paced environment 

Primary Intern Responsibilities: 

❖ Manage RMIAN’s Detention Hotline and work with LOP staff members to respond to calls ❖ Assist LOP staff members with tracking services provided to LOP participants and data entry ❖ Create case files for individuals who have participated in the LOP and who will be matched with a pro bono attorney 

❖ Prepare and create educational materials to be mailed to individuals detained by ICE in Colorado about the Immigration Court and available avenues for relief from deportation 

❖ Conduct factual research, including country conditions research to bolster asylum claims in Immigration Court 

❖ Assist staff attorneys and legal assistants with evidence gathering on behalf of LOP participants, including medical records 

Other Experiences/Training Opportunities Included: 

❖ Gain a nuanced understanding of the US immigration system, especially the detained setting ❖ Observe Immigration Court hearings and debrief with attorneys about their work 

❖ Fluency in Spanish or another language is not required for this position.

❖ Observe Know-Your-Rights presentations and orientation services provided remotely to people detained at GEO/ICE Facility in Aurora 

❖ Attend virtual lunches with attorneys, social workers, paralegals, or other staff members depending on your interests to gain insight into different career paths 

❖ Option to draft a writing sample for use in future job applications 

To apply for this internship, please complete the following: 

1. Send your resumé to Carly Howenstein (she/her)(chowenstein@rmian.org) and Laurel Klafehn (she/her) (lklafehn@rmian.org) 

2. In the subject line, write “LOP Internship Application - (Fall/Spring/Summer) Term” choosing the timeframe applicable to your application 

3. In the body of the email, please include short answers (a few sentences) to the following questions: 

a. How would this internship relate to your academic interests/professional goals? b. How do you incorporate the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion into your day-to-day life? 

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible prior to the term that they would like to intern. As explained above, interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

RMIAN is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes the importance of diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, members of the LGBTQ community, and other underrepresented and marginalized groups. RMIAN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or veteran status. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment free from discrimination. 

RMIAN is requiring all staff members who enter the office to wear a face mask. RMIAN is also limiting the number of individuals allowed to be present in the office at any given time to 10 people. RMIAN is tracking who visits the office on any given day and only allows a limited number of clients/outside visitors two days a week. More information on our current protocols is available upon request and may be discussed during an interview. Protocols are subject to change in response to evolving public safety guidelines as published by the CDC.

If you have any questions, please email Carly and Laurel (emails noted above). Thank you for your interest in interning with RMIAN! 

Visit us at www.rmian.org

Read RMIAN's Comment on the Biden Administration Proposed Rule

Today RMIAN submitted our Comment on the Biden Administration’s Proposed Rule codifying DACA into federal regulation! We support the intent of the proposed regulations, but we worry that it unjustly narrows DACA’s protections. We’ve suggested several critical changes, like: removing harmful language, eliminating the education and criminal history requirements, removing proposals that would narrow DACA like automatic termination, and allowing fee waivers.

DACAmented Americans are here to stay—and they deserve more than the current proposal!

Read RMIAN’s full comment to learn more.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE

Did you know:

• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the United States have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner?

• 36.8% of Colorado women and 30.5% of Colorado men experience intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking in their lives.

• Immigrant women are particularly vulnerable to domestic violence and may feel trapped in abusive relationships because of immigration laws, language barriers, social isolation, and lack of financial resources.

Regardless of your immigration status, you can get help. Survivors of domestic violence can call RMIAN at (303) 433-2812 or visit our website at www.rmian.org to evaluate their immigration options.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 800-799-SAFE.

Resources:
https://assets.speakcdn.com/assets/2497/ncadv_colorado_fact_sheet_2020.pdf

https://www.dvawareness.org/sites/default/files/2019-06/Immigration&DV-TalkingPointsForm.pdf

National Celebrate Pro Bono Week

This week RMIAN celebrates Pro Bono Week. RMIAN has the immense privilege of working alongside a network of dedicated and passionate volunteer attorneys, translators, interpreters, service providers, community advocates, and many other incredible individuals who positively impact the lives of RMIAN clients and staff daily. Each year, RMIAN volunteers increase RMIAN's reach and ensure that hundreds of clients receive free legal representation, connections with critically needed supporter services, access to linguistically relevant services, and help spread the importance of access to legal services. The hard work and dedication of RMIAN's volunteers are empowering and demonstrate the truth behind RMIAN's founding principle: justice for immigrants means justice for all.

In honor of National Celebrate Pro Bono Week, we have asked some of our volunteers to share their experiences with RMIAN.

Debbie Cooper

Henry D. Hollithron

Natalie Petrucci

Kathryn Banuelos

National Celebrate Pro Bono Week: Natalie Petrucci

Natalie Petrucci

Pro Bono Attorney

Why do you volunteer with RMIAN?

Immigrants and asylum seekers deserve competent and compassionate representation. I seek to provide that representation to my clients and provide some connection and humanity within a system that so often dehumanizes our clients as they navigate the complexities of the immigration court and affirmative immigration systems. I chose to volunteer with RMIAN, specifically, because RMIAN staff share my values and are immensely helpful to volunteers. I learned how to become an immigration attorney at RMIAN and now I enjoy giving back. I hope to continue to volunteer for years to come. Also, RMIAN clients are just exceptional people and it's a joy to be a small part of their immigration stories.

What is a memorable moment you've had while volunteering with RMIAN?

Representing clients during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a struggle, but also a lesson in resilience. One of my best memories has been representing an unaccompanied minor in state court and before USCIS and the Denver Immigration Court all virtually. Preparing my client for our state court hearing over Zoom was the first time we got to "meet" face to face. It is a good reminder that young people are truly putting their trust in you, a strange adult volunteer, and in this case, we had never even met in person. Celebrating with families after state court proceedings is a joy for me when I used to represent unaccompanied children and SIJS applicants in person. Now, we get to do the same, just on the phone. While it is a bit different, the feeling is just as rewarding.

Why does this work matter to you?

This work is valuable because it changes lives for the better. I think as an attorney, it has also changed me for the better. When the world seems so tough and there is so much negativity going on, reflecting on the positive changes we can make and how we can apply our unique skills to help others is a positive outlet and way to keep fighting for what I believe the U.S. stands for - inclusion, freedom, and dignity for all.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Thank you to everyone at RMIAN for all that you do to support volunteers and clients alike!

National Celebrate Pro Bono Week: Kathryn Banuelos

Kathryn Banuelos

RMIAN Legal Intern

Why do you volunteer with RMIAN?

I volunteer with RMIAN because of the diverse work that they do to improve the lives of community members who need access to legal services. I enjoy working with a diverse group of people and learning every day about the ways that we can fight for immigrant rights in our community.

What is a memorable moment you've had while volunteering with RMIAN?

I think that going through training and meeting different members of the RMIAN team is a memorable moment for me. I enjoyed meeting many people who are so passionate about the work that they do, and have so much knowledge in immigration law.

Why does this work matter to you?

This work is valuable because being able to provide legal services to people who may not have been able to access them can be extremely empowering to families and individuals. I love to see when someone receives legal services from RMIAN and then continues to be connected with other community resources that are available. I have seen family members who are unsure about how to navigate the US legal system, and being able to open up access to forms of legal relief is incredible.

National Week of Action in Support of Black Migrants

Image from Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI)

In October, the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) called for a National Week of Action in Support of Black Migrants, with the goal to highlight how U.S. immigration policies impact black migrants. RMIAN joined efforts to bring awareness to the lived experience of Black migrants, calling on the Biden Administration to protect black migrants.

Black immigrants are disproportionately affected by immigration enforcement. Over-policing of Black communities results in the disproportionate detention and deportation of Black immigrants—who make up only 7% of non-citizens in the U.S., yet account for a full 20% of those facing deportation on alleged criminal offenses. While detained, Black immigrants are 6x more likely to be locked in solitary confinement—an act of punishment outlawed in many state prison systems yet continually used by ICE.

Over the last month, the world bore witness to the unconscionable images of U.S. border patrol agents whipping Black migrants. Amid these abuses, the Biden Administration pushed ahead with the deportations of around 10,000 Haitians and other Black asylum seekers at our border. The Administration continues to use Title 42 to expel individuals at our border, denying them their lawful right to seek asylum, despite public health experts publicly stating that there is no evidence this policy prevents the spread of COVID-19.

We encourage our friends and colleagues to read the articles and studies below on these issues and others facing Black migrants and to call on the Biden Administration to #DefendBlackImmigrants

Resources to learn more:

“There is a target on us”: The Impact of Anti-Black Racism of African Migrants at Mexico’s Southern Border | BAJI

Immigration and Blackness: What’s Race Got to Do With It? | American Bar Association

The State of Black Immigrants | BAJI

For Black Immigrants, Police and ICE Are Two Sides of the Same Coin | ACLU

Immigration is a Black Issue | American Friends Service Committee

National Celebrate Pro Bono Week: Henry D. Hollithron

Henry D. Hollithron

Pro Bono Attorney

Why do you volunteer with RMIAN?

I am a first-generation American whose mother interpreted in the immigration courts for nearly two decades. You could say I grew up both experiencing the benefits of the immigration laws and hearing about (or occasionally witnessing) the importance of quality legal representation for noncitizens. I now operate my own, full-time immigration practice, and I volunteer with RMIAN because I wholeheartedly agree with the founders' outrage that detained noncitizens and children, many of whom have come here after experiencing horrific mistreatment in their home countries and who seek only to live free, are daily forced to represent themselves in such a complex system where the deck is so severely stacked against them.

What is a memorable moment you've had while volunteering with RMIAN?

One recent incident from just a couple of weeks ago comes to mind. A man who came here after being brutally tortured by his government had lost an appeal I had helped him file with the Tenth Circuit. But while that appeal had been pending, I'd also assisted him with applying for a work permit. It arrived at my office, and we were able to get it to him the same day. Even though his long-term prospects are still bleak, he now at least has the ability to legally make a living and become self-sufficient. Amid the feelings that naturally followed when we received the Court's effective death sentence, it was nonetheless heartwarming to see his unalloyed joy when he received the permit. it helped us both remember that where there's life, there's always hope.

Why does this work matter to you?

Like all endeavors, especially legal ones, representation of RMIAN's clients does not come with a guarantee of success. It is easy to see the value of the work when you are able to help someone who has spoken out against a repressive regime and suffered for it gain asylum and the possibility of one day becoming an American citizen, or a child who survived parental abuse and abandonment take the first steps toward getting permanent residency. But even when each turn in a case leads only to another disappointing outcome, you can at least know that the client is not facing dire injustice alone. You know that the client has someone to provide regular contact from that part of American society that does acknowledge noncitizens' humanity, whether in or out of detention; someone to demand, through arguments that benefit from both conviction and sound analysis, justice from a massive federal apparatus that regards its victims solely as statistics; and someone who, when the going gets tough, will still be on the constant lookout for an ultimate, life-saving solution. In return, you are privileged to meet people from all corners of the world and all manner of backgrounds who are nonetheless united in their awe-inspiring courage and their solemn determination to stand for the right to be free in thought and deed.

Anything else that you would like to share?

Although I came to this work after a year of teaching myself the intricacies of immigration law, I have heard from many other volunteers who specialize in other, completely unrelated fields that the training resources available are more than sufficient to the task of gaining the competence to help those who so desperately need it. If there are reasons not to do this work, not being an immigration lawyer is certainly not one of them.

National Celebrate Pro Bono Week: Debbie Cooper

Debbie Cooper

Pro Bono Attorney

Why do you volunteer with RMIAN?

I volunteer with RMIAN because Colleen Cowgill, my main contact and mentor, and all of her colleagues and contacts with whom I have worked, are exceptionally kind, generous with their time, patient with my questions, well-informed, great teachers, responsive, and compassionate about my clients. While I came to this pro bono work with long experience in immigration detention advocacy and visitation, I had no experience representing immigration clients. This was not due to a lack of trying; over many years I had attempted to find opportunities to provide legal representation of detained immigrants like those I had visited, but without experience, the resources of a big law firm, or my own malpractice insurance, I’d had no success. Early last year, at the height of COVID, I found, on We The Action, an opportunity for training and pro bono work with The Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center (CREEC) Immigration Detention Accountability Project, and CREEC connected me with RMIAN for client referrals and malpractice coverage. Although I am in New York and RMIAN and my clients are in Colorado, my remote work has been seamless. I have worked with five clients with varying levels of complexity and success, and Colleen and everyone else have always been there for advice, support, additional training, and encouragement. They have provided amazing interpreters, and the examination and analysis of an outstanding physician for a client with severe medical issues. Despite being stuck in the bureaucracy of an immigration system that is opaque, inhumane, and infuriatingly slow, I could not ask for a better volunteer experience than mine with RMIAN.

What is a memorable moment you've had while volunteering with RMIAN?

The most memorable moment was when I learned that one of my clients was released from detention! After so much heartache and discretionary, unjust denial with other clients, it was almost surreal to call the detention center one morning and be told that I could not talk with my client because he was in processing to be released. When I’ve spoken with him since, it’s like talking with a different person, with a different voice filled with optimism and relief, living a real-life, freely exploring his new surroundings, and trying to help his new friends who are still in detention. It’s inspiring!

Why does this work matter to you?

As an attorney, I am privileged to have skills that can help others beyond what they might be able to do for themselves. I am passionate about human and civil rights, and the justice and equity necessary to them. Immigration is among the closest to my heart, perhaps, in part, because three of my grandparents (and my other grandfather’s parents) were immigrants, with refugees among them. While so much must be done to make our immigration system fair and welcoming, its massive civil detention system is especially horrific. Human beings who have only been accused of violating, or even found to have violated, civil/administrative immigration laws, in a broken, overwhelmed system outside the due process of our judicial system, and have not been accused or convicted of a criminal offense, should not be incarcerated at all, much less in the current unaccountable, inaccessible, privately run warehouses that confine them. After two years of walking through a series of intimidating metal doors to sit in a prison-like visiting room to talk on phones through glass barriers with uniformed detained immigrants who were simply waiting for a court date, I was determined to do more to free them from this inhumanity and show them a better side to our country. I am tremendously appreciative of RMIAN for providing me the opportunity to do that.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I am so grateful to be a lawyer, to help uphold the rule of law and enable people to access their legal rights. Lawyers can do so much good if they want to, and there are so many people whose lives would be improved with their assistance. I’m thankful to RMIAN for enabling me to give what I can, and hope that enough other lawyers volunteer to help the many other immigrants in detention who desperately need their help. I’d be happy to talk with anyone who might want to know what’s involved. Thank you for this volunteer celebration!

RMIAN Honored at Colorado Lawyers Committee 2021 Awards

Today, RMIAN, alongside colleagues at Arnold & Porter, Lichter Immigration, and The Meyer Law Office, was nominated for the ‘Pandemic Heroes Award’ by the Colorado Lawyers Committee. RMIAN was nominated for its work in 2020 in filing a habeas petition, which sought the release of 14 medically vulnerable people held in immigration detention at the Aurora ICE Processing Center. The habeas action cited the severe risk the COVID-19 pandemic posed to the health and safety of those named in the petition. Several of the petitioners named in the petition were transgender women living with HIV, as well as individuals with medical vulnerabilities. In a huge victory, less than 24 hours after the petition was filed, 8 of the 14 individuals included in the petition were released from ICE custody. RMIAN was honored to be nominated for this award and to attend the celebration lifting up heroic pro bono efforts undertaken this year in Colorado.

RMIAN Joins the Call to End ‘Remain in Mexico’ and Other Harmful Policies at the Border

On October 16, dozens of immigration advocates walked out of a meeting with top Biden officials to protest the continued use of Trump-era border policies. The walkout was spurred after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ruling from a Texas judge that the Biden administration must re-instate the ‘Remain in Mexico Policy.’ The Biden administration has announced plans to renew efforts to end the policy and, in the meantime, will attempt to improve the safety of those impacted. However, since the policy’s implementation during the Trump administration, individuals who should have been, according to policy directives, excluded from MPP were still denied entry to the United States. Further, thousands of documented cases of kidnapping, torture, assault, rape, and family separation prove that there is no way to mitigate this program’s horrific, racist, and unlawful nature. While RMIAN and other advocates recognize the Biden administration’s intentions to find a way to terminate the ‘Remain in Mexico Policy,’ the administration has continually shown a disregard for asylum seekers through its defense of Title 42 and creation of a Dedicated Docket. RMIAN joined legal providers, law school clinics, and law firms and signed a letter urging the Biden administration to terminate ‘Remain in Mexico’, Title 42, and other harmful policies and take immediate steps to restore asylum at the border.

Read the letter below:

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

Detention Watch Network National Day of Action

Contact Colorado Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet to express your concern about continued immigration detention during an ongoing global pandemic and urge them to demand that ICE #FreeThemAll

“Immigration detention has proven to be both dangerous and unnecessary. It’s time for us to move away from mass incarceration in the immigration context. We can reduce the harm to 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

In Fiscal Year 2019, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had custody of over 500,000 people in civil immigration detention. The US government detains people through a system of more than 200 jails across the country, with contracts with local government and private prison companies, such as GEO Group Inc, and CoreCivic. Though the number of people in detention decreased in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people remain locked up in detention facilities across the country. The number of people held in detention centers has increased by 78% since President Biden has taken office. According to ICE, as of 9/13/2021, there are 600 people in ICE detention with active COVID-19 cases.

The conditions of incarceration make containing the virus difficult. People are transferred between detention centers, and regulations (such as mask-wearing) are not mandated or uniform throughout the country.

“As a medical provider practicing to reduce health disparities in structurally marginalized individuals, I see how stress and deprivation of detention impacts health. I have witnessed a phenomenon of young individuals in detention develop high blood pressure, revealing an underlying process of accelerated aging resulting from arrest and accumulated traumatic experiences, mental health treatment hampered by treating traumatic experiences with drugs rather than compassion and understanding, and large outbreaks of COVID-19 that could have been prevented or alleviated with timely implementation of best practices and policies. There is an urgent need for humane immigration reform in the United States, one that reduces or eliminates detention as an engine of human suffering and deterioration of the human spirit.”

— Dr. Carlos Franco-Paredes, MD

RMIAN condemns the cruel and inhumane treatment of Haitian asylum-seekers at our 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.

¡YA ES HORA!

¡YA ES HORA!

WHAT: March for Citizenship! WHEN: Saturday, September 25, at 11:00 AM WHERE: meet at Viking Park, march to Auraria Campus

On May 1, 2006, hundreds of thousands of Coloradans marched from Viking Park in Northwest Denver to the Capitol calling for justice for immigrants. Fifteen years later, on Sept. 25, we will march with those that came before us, as we retrace the steps from 2006 by walking from Viking Park to the center of Denver to tell U.S. Members of Congress, the White House, and the public that WE CAN’T WAIT any longer.
We will be demanding that Congress:

• Pass the Reconciliation Bill to give millions of undocumented people citizenship.

• Vote No on any amendments that harm our community by creating bars to access citizenship.

• Continue to fight for citizenship for ALL undocumented people.
  Remember that NO HUMAN BEING IS ILLEGAL.

**BRING SIGNS, BANNERS, NOISEMAKERS AND YOUR VOICE TURNED ON MAX VOLUME TO DEMAND JUSTICE NOW! PLEASE WEAR WHITE**

We're Hiring: Bilingual Staff Social Worker

The Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free immigration legal services and social services to adults in immigration detention and to children and their families across Colorado. RMIAN promotes knowledge of legal rights, provides effective representation to ensure due process, works to improve detention conditions, and promotes a more humane immigration system, including alternatives to detention. RMIAN believes that justice for immigrants means justice for all. We respect the needs and celebrate the contributions of the individuals and communities we serve. We believe our clients are equal partners in accessing justice. And we value respect for all human beings, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or legal status.

RMIAN’s Detention Program provides free legal assistance to adults (18 and older) held at the civil immigration detention facility in Aurora, Colorado. The Detention Program provides daily Know-Your-Rights presentations, intakes, and pro se (self-help) support for unrepresented individuals in detention. The program also places many cases for legal representation with RMIAN staff attorneys and a large network of volunteer lawyers.

RMIAN’s Children’s Program provides free immigration legal services to abused, abandoned, neglected, and exploited immigrant youth, including many in deportation proceedings before the Denver Immigration Court. The Children’s Program also represents some parents and family units, and is the legal service provider for unaccompanied youth in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement at a facility in Westminster, Colorado.

Through the Social Service Project, RMIAN is one of few immigration legal services organizations in the United States to offer integrated social service support. Founded and staffed by masters-level social workers, the Social Service Project assists particularly vulnerable detained adult immigrants, including ones determined by the Immigration Court to be mentally incompetent to represent themselves and appointed counsel under the National Qualified Representative Program (NQRP); certain unaccompanied immigrant youth in the custody of the Office of Refugee and Resettlement; and other youth and families represented by RMIAN’s Children’s Program. Social Service Project social workers assist detained adults by providing wrap-around support, including help dealing with the stress of detention, healthcare advocacy, support with aspects of legal case preparation, and planning for needed services upon clients’ release from detention. For non-detained youth and their family members, social workers provide connection to mental health treatment, medical care, public benefits, and other assistance, as well as ongoing support throughout clients’ legal cases. Through generous funding from the Caring for Denver Foundation, the Social Service Project is now able to expand through a new grant focused on the behavioral health needs of young (up to age 26) Denver city and county residents.

RMIAN’s Social Service Project has an opening for a full-time social worker to work with clients provided legal assistance by the Detention and Children’s Program. This social worker will work with detained adult clients in immigration detention, including some served under the NQRP described above, as well as non-detained youth and parents served by RMIAN’s Children’s Program. Specific responsibilities are described below.

RMIAN is seeking a social worker colleague who is passionate about RMIAN’s mission and vision and excited about working in an ever-evolving interdisciplinary, legal-social work environment. This position is intended for a social worker devoted to the pursuit of social justice and social change through strengths-based, trauma-informed, and empowerment-focused social work practice at micro, mezzo, and macro levels. It is intended for a social worker who is highly flexible, adaptable, and patient; an innovative and creative problem-solver; and a systems thinker who is proactive and can work independently, while also being an enthusiastic team member in a highly collaborative setting.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Is passionate about RMIAN’s mission and has a demonstrated commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion

• Has the flexibility, patience, and humor to calmly thrive in a fast-paced, often unpredictable environment

• Has a strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration in a primarily legal-services setting, including working closely with lawyers and other legal staff

• Is interested in and committed to attaining a basic knowledge of immigration law, particularly as it impacts and intersects with social services provided to clients

• Has experience recognizing and responding to behavioral health conditions—including depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, neurocognitive disorders, and substance use disorders—and responding to people in crisis

• Possesses an ability to build rapport with and accompany clients as they recall or experience some of the most traumatic moments of their lives

• Has demonstrated cultural competency working with people of diverse nationalities, languages, religions/faiths, socioeconomic backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, immigration statuses, abilities, ages, and other identities

• Is committed to working with people with criminal histories and to meeting with clients inside a civil immigration detention center

• Has experience providing effective and creative case management, particularly for populations who face many eligibility-related and other barriers to services Is familiar with public benefits programs and local social services

• Has experience and interest in program evaluation, including data collection, record keeping, and grant reporting• Is prepared to advocate zealously at multiple systems levels while maintaining productive relationships with diverse community, government, and law enforcement stakeholders

• Possesses demonstrated self-awareness and developed ways to effectively care for self when exposed to trauma and stress

• Communicates effectively in writing and speaking

• Appreciates the importance of paying close attention to sensitive and critical details

• With guidance and in collaboration with colleagues, Is is able to work effectively o multiple projects at once, prioritize tasks, manage time, and triage to meet sudden and time-sensitive priorities

• Enjoys collaborating with others on a team and pitches in to support colleagues when needed

• Is able to work autonomously and independently—does not require micromanaging and can be trusted to complete tasks in a timely manner, without the need for extensive oversight

• Is open to responsibilities shifting over time, according to the needs of clients and the organization

Position Responsibilities:

• Maintain a caseload of detained adult, some non-detained adult, and some non-detained child/youth and family clients

• Through an interdisciplinary model, collaborate closely with attorneys throughout clients’ immigration cases

• Work in trauma-informed and strengths-based ways with clients to complete biopsychosocial assessments engage in therapeutic conversations, conduct needs assessments, set goals, and implement ways to deal with current life stressors and symptoms of behavioral health conditions

• As appropriate, administer screening tools to track clients’ behavioral health symptoms

• As appropriate, support clients’ legal cases by helping to draft personal declarations arranging forensic health evaluations, communicating with family and other support networks, gathering health records, and attending court hearings

• Advocate for improved detention conditions and access to appropriate healthcare for clients

• For detained clients, create written plans for post-release services for submission to the Immigration Court and/or Immigration and Customs Enforcement

• As needed, meet clients upon release from detention and coordinate their access to transportation, accommodations, and other immediate needs

• Connect released and non-detained clients to desired and appropriate behavioral health treatment, medical care, housing, public benefits, and other supportive services in Denver, other parts of Colorado, other states, or clients’ countries of origin

• With client consent, communicate with mental health treatment providers to coordinate support

• Provide normalizing and culturally-informed psychoeducation to clients’ family members/support networks and caregivers about depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health conditions

• Nurture, expand, and develop partnerships with service providers, advocates, and community volunteers

• Synthesize and report program data in compliance with rigorous grant evaluation requirements

• Contribute to the ongoing development of Social Service Project and organizational systems, protocols, and processes

• Participate in SSP- and RMIAN-related advocacy, outreach, media/communications, and development/fundraising efforts

Required skills, experience, and attributes:

• Master of Social Work degree from an accredited program

• English and Spanish fluency required, both oral and written

• Ability to pass required background checks

• Access to reliable personal transportation

Location:

• This position is based in Westminster, Colorado. Currently, RMIAN’s operations are primarily remote during the COVID-19 pandemic, but subject to change.

Compensation:

• This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position. Salary depends on experience. For a recent MSW graduate with limited work experience, the range is $48,000–$50,000. For a more experienced social worker, the salary range is $50,000–$54,000. Included with the social worker position is a generous benefits package, including excellent medical insurance (100% covered by RMIAN); group dental and vision insurance; life insurance; short-term disability insurance; a flexible spending plan for medical expenses and dependent care; and eligibility to participate in a Simple IRA retirement plan (RMIAN matches 3%). RMIAN provides professional development opportunities and paid vacation time and sick leave. RMIAN also offers the possibility of a sabbatical after five years of employment.

If this position calls to you, please send all the following items to hr@rmian.org: (1) a tailored, authentic cover letter that explains (a) why RMIAN’s mission excites you and (b) why you are an ideal fit for this particular role; (2) resume; and (3) a list of three professional references

The start date for this position is as soon as possible. Please apply promptly.

RMIAN is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes the importance of diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, gender minorities, members of the LGBTQ community, and other underrepresented and marginalized groups. RMIAN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or veteran status. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment free from discrimination.

RMIAN joins the call on the Biden Administration to quickly admit Afghan allies and other at-risk Afghans to the U.S.

US-Afghan allies and other at-risk Afghans are languishing in legal limbo abroad, waiting for an opportunity to restart and rebuild their new lives. RMIAN urges the Biden Administration and Congress to take immediate action by paroling Afghan evacuees within a maximum of 30 days, committing to creating a designated humanitarian parole program to guide and expedite the review of parole petitions for additional at-risk Afghans, and expediting the reunification of separated Afghan families. Read the letter sent to President Biden below.

In August, RMIAN celebrated its 16th Annual Immigrant Liberty Awards, illuminating the incredible power of RMIAN’s community of clients, staff and board members, volunteers, donors, advocates, and supporters. This month we celebrate RMIAN’s work while staying resolute in our commitment to ensuring justice and protection for immigrants and refugees.

RMIAN Stands In Solidarity With Afghanistan and Haiti

In Afghanistan, women, children, journalists, LGBTQI+ people, people with disabilities, advocates, U.S. allies, and many others fearing for their lives and the lives of their families have been desperately trying to seek safety in countries like the United States. RMIAN is joining advocates from across the country like Evacuate Our Allies and the American Immigration Lawyers Association to ensure protection for those fleeing.

In Haiti, people have struggled to deal with the aftermath of a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake, which comes on top of continuing political instability, economic hardship, other natural disasters, and impacts from COVID-19. RMIAN has joined over 300 advocates and leaders urging the Biden Administration to stop deportations to Haiti and implement additional protections for Haitian immigrants. Read more about this call to action here. 

RMIAN stands in solidarity with the Afghan and Haitian people seeking safety and protection in the United States and mourns the loss of life of U.S. soldiers and Afghan and Haitian people.

RMIAN’s Mission Video

At this year’s Immigrant Liberty Awards, RMIAN premiered its mission video. The video highlights the fundamental importance of legal representation in immigration removal proceedings and elaborates on RMIAN’s various programs. The video features two of RMIAN’s clients, Maybelline Diaz Recinos and Mr. Alvarado Alvarado, along with RMIAN Board Chair Malcolm Evans, RMIAN Co-Founder and Board Member Hiroshi Motomura, and RMIAN Executive Director Mekela Goehring.

Immigrant Liberty Awards

On Thursday, August 19th, RMIAN came together as a community virtually and hosted its 16th Annual Immigrant Liberty Awards. The event was themed “Dare to Find the Light" in recognition of the outstanding leaders and advocates in our community who, despite myriad obstacles, continue to fight for justice and lead impactful change. This year’s Immigrant Liberty Awards were presented to Z Arellano & Jordan Garcia, Representative Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, and Christina Yutai Guo. The Pro Bono Service Award was presented to Dr. Carlos Franco-Paredes. 

Together, we raised over $50,000 to support RMIAN’s work fighting for justice for immigrants in Colorado. Funds raised exceeded the $10,000 match offered by longtime RMIAN supporter Jerry Glick and included an incredible $10,000 gift made by Federico & Cindy Peña. We here at RMIAN are beyond grateful to our donors, volunteers, and supporters who make our work possible. 

Unable to watch the event live? Click below to view the recording!

RMIAN Adamantly Opposes Dedicated Dockets for Asylum-Seeking Families

The first "Dedicated Dockets," expediting the cases of newly arrived families seeking asylum protections in the United States, started at the Denver Immigration Court at the end of July. Families must appear in person at the downtown court, while the Immigration Judges at the Aurora Immigration Center appear via video conference. RMIAN staff has been providing support to families by providing "Know Your Rights" information, assistance with the completion of required forms, and information regarding access to legal representation. 

 While RMIAN is committed to providing as much support as possible to these families, RMIAN continues to call on the Biden Administration to reconsider this unjust and harsh policy.

"The reality is that these are parents, fleeing violence and persecution in their countries of origin, seeking protection for their children in the United States who have very little access to resources. The effect is a devastating lack of due process. It is heartbreaking to look into the teary eyes of a father, who risked everything to protect his children, and explain that with no resources and no work permission, this expedited schedule requires him to hire an attorney within six weeks if he wants help proceeding with his case at his next hearing and that we might not be able to schedule him for a consultation before then."- Emily B. Brock, Children's Program Senior Staff Attorney

RMIAN Sits Down with KGNU Radio

RMIAN’s Executive Director, Mekela Goehring, and LOP Legal Assistant, Carly Howenstein, sat down with KGNU reporter, Rossana Longo-Better, to discuss RMIAN’s work, the challenges inherent in the U.S. immigration system, as well as several legislative accomplishments from these past 15+ months.

Upcoming Training on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

RMIAN is collaborating with long-time partner, the Colorado Lawyers Committee (CLC), to host a two-part series to train pro bono attorneys on Special Immigration Juvenile Status. This training will specifically create several cohorts of attorneys to represent SIJS-eligible kids in their state court proceedings.  The training dates are August 25, 2021, and September 10, 2021. Please join us and please spread the word! Additional information is available here.

Welcoming RMIAN’s New Staff Members

Keiko Diaz-Pezua, Legal Orientation Program Staff Attorney

Keiko joined RMIAN as a Legal Orientation Program staff attorney in August 2021. Prior to joining RMIAN on a permanent basis, she interned with RMIAN’s Children's Program in the winter of 2021. Keiko graduated from the University of Michigan in 2016 where she received a degree in Political Science. In May of 2021, she graduated from DePaul University College of Law with a Certificate in Business Law. As a student, Keiko worked as a paralegal and law clerk at several private immigration firms working on affirmative petitions. As a first-generation immigrant and first-generation college graduate, Keiko feels fortunate to have the opportunity to advocate for the immigrant community.

Alicia Conrad, Children’s Program Staff Attorney

Alicia joined RMIAN as a Children’s Program Staff Attorney in August 2021 and represents detained unaccompanied children seeking humanitarian relief such as asylum, special juvenile status, U visas for survivors of crime, and T visas for survivors of human trafficking. Prior to joining RMIAN, Alicia worked at CARECEN as a Staff Attorney in the Survivors of Violence Unit in Los Angeles, California. In this role, Alicia represented survivors of domestic violence and violent crimes. Alicia also worked for the Immigrant Home Foundation in Las Vegas, Nevada representing survivors of domestic violence and violent crimes. Alicia received her B.A. from the University Illinois at Urbana- Champaign in 2007 and her J.D. in 2015 from Western New England School of Law. Prior to law school, Alicia mobilized Latina/o’s through civic engagement and taught Anáhuac Studies to adolescents. Alicia is admitted to practice law in Utah and is a native Spanish speaker. Alicia is a first-generation American with very proud Mexican roots. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, traveling, dancing, and cooking new vegetarian recipes.

“I am very grateful to be welcomed by the RMIAN family. I feel very fortunate to join RMIAN in this fight for justice.”

RMIAN calls for a halt of deportations to Haiti

In Haiti, people have struggled to deal with the aftermath of a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake, which comes on top of continuing political instability, economic hardship, other natural disasters, and impacts from COVID-19. RMIAN has joined over 300 advocates and leaders urging the Biden Administration to stop deportations to Haiti and implement additional protections for Haitian immigrants. Read the letter sent to President Biden below and learn more about this call to action here.

From the creation of immigration legal defense funds taking us closer to our goal of universal representation for all people in removal proceedings to the morally reprehensible suspension of the DACA program, this month has been a mixed bag of steps in the right direction and leaps backward. As July comes to an end, we are grateful to the donors, volunteers, activists, collaborators, and allies who continue to support RMIAN and fight for equal access to justice for immigrants in removal proceedings.

Register for This Year’s Immigrant Liberty Awards!

Donate $50 or more at registration and receive a Shine On! Bag with treats from Azucar Bakery, Ohana Treats, and Cerveceria Colorado.*

Ernesto’s Story

Ernesto has lived in the United States for most of his life, but it was only in this past month that he became a lawful permanent resident. Brought to the U.S. as a baby, Ernesto was undocumented for many years, at risk for deportation if discovered. But in 2017, at the age of 18,  Ernesto applied for and was granted DACA status, providing temporary relief from deportation and the opportunity to live, work, and go to school in the United States. With RMIAN’s help, Ernesto was also able to pursue Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), a form of relief based on abuse, neglect, or abandonment by a parent and one that put Ernesto on his pathway to becoming a permanent resident. Ernesto is extremely excited to finally be a permanent resident. He hopes to pursue higher education and contribute to his community as a firefighter. At RMIAN, we offer our sincerest congratulations to Ernesto and are so excited to see where his future takes him. Congratulations, Ernesto!

Statement on DACA

On July 16, a U.S. District Court Judge from the Southern District of Texas ruled that DACA was unlawful, thereby blocking new applicants to the program. Existing DACA recipients continue to maintain their status and are still eligible to renew their status every two years. RMIAN reaffirms its commitment to making our immigration system more just and equitable for Dreamers and all immigrants in Colorado. RMIAN adamantly opposes this new ruling, which is both morally reprehensible and wrong on the law. Dreamers and their families are a vital part of our community and deserve to live in peace with hope for the future.

Immigration Legal Defense Fund Picnic & Legal Clinic

This past weekend, RMIAN made its way to Durango, CO, for Durango’s Picnic at the Park: A celebration of culture, community, and legal defense for all, an event celebrating the passing of HB21-1194 for an Immigration Legal Defense Fund. Organizations and community members throughout the state, including RMIAN, collaborated to pass this historic legislation, taking us one step closer to RMIAN’s goal of universal representation for everyone in removal proceedings. 

The celebration featured speakers who have worked on the bill, many of whom have been impacted by the broken U.S. immigration system, and know how important an Immigration Legal Defense Fund is for immigrant adults, children, and families in removal proceedings. Also featured were local musicians and traditional dancing. As part of the celebration, RMIAN and other Colorado immigration attorneys volunteered at a legal clinic in Durango for immigrants in the community in need of legal advice. RMIAN staff attorneys Shaleen Morales (pictured left), Jenn Nelson (pictured to the right of sign), Sabrina Sameshima (not pictured), and others provided free legal services to 23 individuals.

"In celebrating the passing of HB21-1194, it was only right to provide a free legal clinic this weekend,” says Nelson, RMIAN’s Legal Orientation Program Supervisory Attorney. “Access to counsel is vital to ensuring access to justice, and that's what this event was all about. Not only did we sing and dance, but we provided free legal information to the community to celebrate the empowerment that comes with knowing your rights and knowing you are not alone in this fight."

Fort Collins Creates a Legal Defense Fund!

Over a year ago, RMIAN joined forces with CIRC, Alianza NORCO, Fuerza Latina, ISAAC, La Cocina, CO ACLU, and other community members and organizations to come together and address the pressing civil rights issue that is the lack of immigration legal services and its resulting barrier to due process for immigrant communities. Together, this alliance of immigrant-rights advocates and organizations fought for the creation of a City Legal Defense Fund. This month, the Fort Collins City Council approved a pilot program of the fund in a 5-2 vote, agreeing to allocate $150,000 for the legal defense of immigrants residing in Fort Collins. The fund is aimed at providing free legal services for immigrant adults in detention, unaccompanied children pursuing Special Immigrant Juvenile cases, and affirmative cases for people eligible to pursue naturalization or lawful permanent residency. 

“The creation of the fund in Fort Collins is a historic moment in time. In passing Ordinance NO. 064, 2021, City Council solidified that the community must take care of our own before one more loved one is expelled from Colorado solely due to a lack of legal counsel,” says RMIAN Universal Representation Staff Attorney, Shaleen Morales.

RMIAN is honored to be a member of this incredible alliance and urges Coloradans across the state and in each of their local communities to continue to advocate for the rights of immigrant community members.

Free Children’s Immigration Law Training

RMIAN and the Colorado Lawyers Committee (CLC) are hosting a two-part free legal training series on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). This training will convene a group of firms and solo attorneys to create cohorts to provide pro bono representation for children. The training dates are August 25, 2021, and September 10, 2021. Additional information is available here. Help us spread the word!