Thank you for your interest in representing an Afghan asylum seeker before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Asylum Office.
In this course, you will learn everything from the legal basis for asylum, to what to file in an affirmative application, to how to prepare a client for the asylum interview. If you have taken on a pro bono case and need mentorship, please don't hesitate to reach out to us for further guidance and information!
This course is intended for use only by attorneys, accredited representatives, and those assisting attorneys and accredited representatives in compliance with the applicable Rules of Professional Conduct. The information contained herein should not be construed as legal advice.Â
Course last updated: March 2023
Course Curriculum
- Using Clio and Maintaining Client Confidentiality (5:52)
- Communicating With Your Client Through an Interpreter (7:26)
- Conducting Your First Client Meeting (8:21)
- Cultural Competency in Working with Afghan Clients
- Working With Clients With Mental And/or Physical Challenges (7:25)
- Pro Tips on Working With People Who Have Experienced Trauma
- Free Mental and Physical Health Resources for Afghan Parolees
- Sources of Asylum Law and Procedure
- Elements of Asylum (11:47)
- Persecution (13:37)
- Nexus (12:05)
- "Well-Founded Fear" of Persecution (8:43)
- Asylum Grounds: Race, Religion, Nationality, and Political Opinion (10:53)
- Asylum Grounds: Particular Social Groups (17:09)
- Corroboration and Credibility (13:54)
- Completing the Form G-28 (only for paper filings) (5:44)
- Completing the Form I-589
- Preparing the Declaration (Includes Samples) (10:15)
- Gathering Client-Specific Evidence (4:14)
- Tips on Drafting and Using Witness Statements (7:14)
- Common Afghan and U.S. Civil Documents Your Clients May Have (9:44)
- Obtaining Translations of Documents
- Country Conditions (8:58)
- The Memo of Law and List of Exhibits (Includes Samples)
- Submitting the Asylum Application Online
- What Happens After Submission: Receipt, Biometrics, Interview
- What to Expect During the Interview - Including Actual Interview Questions
- Mock Asylum Interview (59:29)
- Preparing the Client for the Interview (8:52)
- What to Bring to the Asylum Interview (3:41)
- Remote Appearances at the Asylum Interview (6:24)
- The Arlington, VA Asylum Office (6:49)
- Clients with Mental or Physical Challenges: Interview Tips and Best Practices (10:36)
Hi, we're VECINA!
VECINA is a nonprofit that seeks to empower immigrant justice advocates through mentoring attorneys, educating communities, and mobilizing volunteers.
Created as Part of the
Welcome Legal Alliance
The Welcome Legal Alliance is a collaborative project among the Immigration Justice Campaign of the American Immigration Council, American Bar Association Commission on Immigration, Human Rights First, VECINA, and Welcome.US to serve Afghan asylum seekers with volunteer legal assistance (both limited and full scope representation) in preparing and filing their applications before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.