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Becoming a Volunteer
The Advocates has an ongoing need for volunteer attorneys willing to represent asylum seekers at all stages of the legal process. The Advocates provides training, support, and resource materials to all of our volunteers. Malpractice insurance is available through The Advocates.
 
New asylum cases are screened and accepted weekly; for more information about clients who currently need representation see: http://www.probono.net/asylum/newcases/.
 
Volunteer attorneys agree to represent an asylum seeker throughout one stage of the proceeding – affirmative application, removal hearing before the immigration court, appeal at the Board of Immigration Appeals, or appeal before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The greatest demand is for representation in removal proceedings before the immigration court. 
 
Training is provided through our asylum manual and regular trainings; attorneys do not need to attend a training before beginning work on a case. Upcoming trainings will be posted on the events calendar.
 
To volunteer, please fill out this form and you will be added to our e-mail list. If you wish to take a case, or currently have a case, you must also complete the Attorney Agreement for insurance coverage. 
 
The Advocates has an ongoing need for volunteer interpreters in all languages willing to assist asylum seekers with document translation or in person interpretation. The Advocates provides training, support, and resource materials to all of our volunteers. We particularly need individuals who speak French, Amharic, Oromo, Somali, and Mandingo. Our clients speak nearly fifty different languages, so the need is great for language assistance.
 
Training is provided through periodic orientations; interpreters do not need to attend a training before beginning work on a case. Information about upcoming trainings is available here.
 
To volunteer, please fill out this form and someone will contact you.
 
A professional evaluation of a client's physical and mental health is often a critical element supporting their asylum claim. Volunteer health professionals can help corroborate a client's claim that he or she was tortured in their country of origin, or that they have a credible fear of being tortured if they return to their country of origin. By confirming that the client's physical and psychological symptoms are consistent with the type of abuse that the client reports, the volunteer health professional can support the client's credibility.

Licensed doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists who are interested in volunteering to assist low-income asylum clients can join our medical/psychosocial volunteer listserv. The Advocates will then contact you about becoming involved in providing this critical service.
 
To volunteer, please fill out this form.