Responding to Executive Actions: Essential Tools for Getting Immigrants Out of Detention

Please join the ACLU of Colorado, the Colorado Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN), and experienced immigration practitioners Laura Lichter, Hans Meyer, and Laura Lunn to learn how to best ensure justice for detained immigrants in Colorado.

This training will provide essential information and skills for attorneys who are new to immigration law and are interested in providing pro bono representation in bond hearings or parole requests for detained individuals in immigration proceedings in Colorado. Focusing on some of the most common forms of protection for individuals in detention, the panel of experienced attorneys will provided step-by-step analysis and overviews on how to advise immigrants of their rights when encountering law enforcement officials, represent detainees in their bond hearings, request parole from the Department of Homeland Security, background on the expedited removal process, and common defenses to deportation. The training will also include a mock hearing and break-out sessions to build practical advocacy skills. Special thanks to Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLP for hosting.

The training is free for attorneys who agree to take a pro bono bond hearing or parole request for a detained client through RMIAN. RMIAN will screen potential pro bono cases, pair attorneys with clients, and provide legal resources, mentoring, and professional liability insurance to pro bono attorneys.

WHEN:     Tuesday, April 4, 2017; 12:30pm to 6:00pm

WHERE:   Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLP
                 370 17th Street, Suite 4500, Denver, CO 80202

Additional Information Here (PDF).

RMIAN & Rollin Braswell Fisher LLC to provide a presentation on new Executive Orders and policy directives

Rollin Braswell Fisher LLC (RBF Law) and RMIAN are partnering to provide a one-hour presentation on the new Executive Orders and policy directives in immigration law, and highlight ways that Colorado lawyers can get involved in working for justice for immigrants.

RBF Law is a commercial litigation firm seeking to empower and engage lawyers who typically do not practice in the public interest area but are interested in social justice issues. RMIAN is a nonprofit dedicated to providing immigration legal services to individuals in immigration detention in Colorado, as well as to children throughout the state.

Attendees of the presentation will come away with a general understanding of legislative framework and processes of the system to enable them to provide assistance to the local immigrant community.

WHEN:     March 15, 2017, 8:00-9:00am

WHERE:   Rollin Braswell Fisher LLC
                 8350 E Crescent Pkwy, Suite 100
                 Greenwood Village, CO 80111

COST:       Lecture is free and breakfast is provided. CLE credit pending.

RSVP to JThompson@rbf.law by March 10th to reserve your space

Additional Information Here (PDF).

A Colorado class to train lawyers in representing kids with immigration issues is booked solid, with a waiting list

Denverite.com covers February 24th training offered by RMIAN, the Colorado Lawyers Committee, the Colorado Bar Association, and the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies. The sold out training covered two of the most common forms of protection for vulnerable immigrant children, asylum and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Read Full/Original Aritcle

Photo: Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

Local Organizations that Support Immigrants and Refugees in Colorado

5280 Magazine lists RMIAN atop its list of local organizations working with this underserved population in our community. Read Full/Original Article

Photo by Haley Gray

Free Legal Training: Children's Asylum Law and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

Please join the Colorado Lawyers Committee (CLC), the Immigration Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association, the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies (CGRS), and the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) for a free training to ensure justice for immigrant children in Colorado.

This training, featuring national expert Christine Lin from the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies, University of California, Hastings College of Law, will train attorneys to provide pro bono representation to children in immigration proceedings in Colorado. Focusing on two of the most common forms of protection for vulnerable children, the panel of expert trainers listed below will provide step-by-step analysis and overviews on children's asylum law and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. This training is designed for attorneys new to children's immigration law. Special thanks to the American Bar Association for funding this event and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP for hosting.

The training is free for attorneys who agree to take a pro bono immigration case through RMIAN. RMIAN will screen potential pro bono cases, pair attorneys with clients, and provide legal resources, mentoring, and professional liability insurance for pro bono attorneys.

SCHEDULE:    

8:00-8:30am:         Registration and Breakfast
8:30-8:50am:         Introductory Remarks & Immigration Law 101 (Eric Johnson
8:50-9:30am:         Children's Asylum Law (Christine Lin)
9:30-9:45am:         Break
9:45-11:05am:        Children's Asylum Law Continued (Christine Lin)
11:20am-12:30pm:  Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (Kathleen Glynn & Ashley Harrington)

WHEN:     Friday, February 24, 2017; 8:00am to 12:30pm

WHERE:   Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP
                 410 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2200, Denver, Colorado 80202

Additional Information Here (PDF).

(Photo: Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

RMIAN Works to Ensure Justice at Denver International Airport Over the Weekend

In response to President Trump's Executive order banning refugees and immigrants from seven primarily Muslim countries, RMIAN Staff Members and Board Members worked with the Colorado Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association at Denver International Airport this past weekend in order to ensure that counsel was available to any travelers or family members who needed free legal support.

"Through the chaos of the harsh new policies and the uncertainty that they brought, it was encouraging to be a witness to the outpouring of both community and legal support that ignited over the weekend," said RMIAN Detention Program Managing Attorney Laura Lunn.

RMIAN is preparing for the profound and devastating impact that the Executive orders involving interior enforcement, border policies, immigration, and refugees will have on its work with immigrant children and detained adults throughout Colorado. Your support for RMIAN's work to ensure justice for all is needed now more than ever. If you are an attorney, please consider taking a pro bono case for a detained asylum seeker or for a child who will face complex immigration proceedings alone because they cannot afford a private attorney. The need for volunteer attorneys is enormous.

Please also consider supporting RMIAN by making a donation today. Your contribution will ensure that we continue to fulfill our values statement, "We believe that justice for immigrants means justice for all."

Additional coverage of the mobilization and demonstrations at the Denver International Airport over the weekend can be found on Denverite.com and The Denver Post. 

(Photo: Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Training for Volunteer Interpreters and Translators

Please join us on Thursday, December 15, for a training on interpretation and translation nuts & bolts and best practices. Current and prospective interpreters and translators are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served. *RSVP by December 14 to Mayra Prieto at mprieto@rmian.org. 

Duties

As a volunteer interpreter, your duties may include:

• Providing language assistance during client-attorney meetings and interviews by telephone or in-person
• Translating written documents

Requirements

• Fluency in English and another language (Spanish preferred)

• Age 18+

• An interest in learning the basic skills of interpretation and translation (no professional experience required)

• Commitment to interpreters’ ethics, including confidentiality, accuracy, impartiality, respect, cultural competency, and professionalism

• Flexible hours

• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds

• Desire to support adults and children in immigration proceedings

• Proficient written communication skills

• Ability to meet deadlines and work in a timely fashion

• Access to transportation

• Must pass a federal background check and provide $15 to RMIAN for processing of check

  For more program information contact Mayra Prieto, Legal Assistant, mprieto@rmian.org 3489 W. 72nd Ave., Ste. 211 * Westminster, CO 80030 * (720) 370-9112 

More Information [PDF]

Know Your Rights

WHAT: Protection for everyone under the Colorado Law
WHEN: Friday, December 16th @ 6pm
WHERE: Westminster High School, 6933 Raleigh St, Westminster, CO 

Non-profit organizations, legal agencies, and the US Attorney for the District of Colorado’s Office have received many questions regarding immigration issues, hate crimes and other topics due to the tenor of recent debate in our country.

To address these concerns, we are sponsoring a community meeting at in the Auditorium at Westminster High School from 6-7:30 on Friday, December 16. The law of Colorado applies to and protects everyone in the state, no matter who you are and we want to ensure the trust and confidence of the community.

The meeting will be in both English and Spanish and speakers will be present to stress the commitment to fairness and to protecting everyone in our community.

Speakers

Silvia Munoz Martinez, Mexican Consulate

Matthew Kirsch, Assistant US Attorney, District of Colorado

Laura Lichter, Lichter Immigration and Immediate Past President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”)

Pam Resendiz, United For A New Economy (UNE)

Violeta Raquel Chapin, CU Law School, Immigration Clinic

Gabriela Flora, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) & American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)

Elizabeth Zambrana, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMAIN)

Master of Ceremonies (MC): Maria Zubia, Community Navigator 

Know Your Rights [PDF]

Immigration Detention in Colorado Nearly Doubles

Boulder Weekly covers the expansion of immigration detention in Colorado and RMIAN's work to provide legal services to the almost 400 Haitian nationals currently being held in Aurora. Read Full/Original Article

Photo: The Geo Group, Inc.

Representing Asylum Seekers in Credible Fear & Reasonable Fear Proceedings and Requesting Release from Detention

The number of individuals detained at the immigration detention center in Aurora, Colorado, has nearly doubled since the beginning of October 2016. In response to the dramatically increasing need for legal services for vulnerable asylum-seekers in detention – including hundreds of Haitians – RMIAN and AILA Colorado are hosting a free training on best practices in representing asylum seekers who are subject to expedited removal and placed in credible or reasonable fear proceedings.

The presentation will discuss the procedural posture of the cases, including the various stages of review. Additionally, it will cover advocacy strategies when representing clients in CFI/RFI proceedings, including:

•  CF/RF interviews with an asylum officer;

• IJ reviews of negative CFI/RFI adjudications by the Asylum Office;

• Humanitarian parole requests with ICE; and

• Bond redetermination hearings (when applicable) 

RMIAN currently is screening cases for referral and is able to provide sample materials and professional liability insurance for attorneys who are willing to offer pro bono representation to this exceptionally vulnerable population. 

WHEN: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016 4:00PM TO 5:00 PM
WHERE: HIGHLAND TAVERN, 3400 NAVAJO STREET, DENVER, CO 80211
PRESENTERS: BRITTANY HURLEY, LEGAL ORIENTATION PROGRAM SUPERVISORY ATTORNEY, RMIAN  and LAURA LUNN, DETENTION PROGRAM MANAGING ATTORNEY, RMIAN
COST: Free

To register, please contact RMIAN Legal Assistant Mayra Prieto at mprieto@rmian.org CLE credit application pending 

Informative Flyer [PDF]

Ten Local Nonprofits That Will Need Help During a Trump Presidency

Denver Westword puts RMIAN atop its List of "Ten Local Nonprofits That Will Need Help During a Trump Presidency."  Read Full/Original Article.

Photo by Anthony Camera

RMIAN Attorneys Discuss the Future of DACA on Colorado Public Radio's Colorado Matters

About 200,000 people live in Colorado without legal immigration status, according to the Pew Research Center. They and others like them across the United States came for a lot of criticism during the candidacy of President-Elect Donald Trump -- a message that resonated with many of his supporters.  Read Full/Original Article

RMIAN Statement on 2016 Presidential Election

We believe that justice for immigrants means justice for all. 

In the face of the election of a presidential candidate who has promised devastating changes to our nation’s immigration policies, the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) stands more committed than ever to working for justice for all. RMIAN will continue to fight tirelessly to advance the legal rights of our fellow Coloradans with immigrant backgrounds, particularly children throughout the state and adults in immigration detention. We stand in solidarity with immigrant communities throughout Colorado and the United States. We stand for inclusion, equality, and justice and will fight for due process and equal access to justice for all. 

“RMIAN’s commitment to the dignity and rights of the most vulnerable immigrant populations in Colorado, including children and detained adults, has never wavered, regardless of the political climate. This election will only deepen that commitment,” said Founding Board Member Hiroshi Motomura. 

Although the RMIAN community staunchly opposes the anti-immigrant measures advocated by the incoming administration, RMIAN is gratified by the resounding support of Coloradans who reject an agenda of hatred. Community members from all walks of life have stepped up in unprecedented numbers since the election to support RMIAN’s mission of ensuring justice for immigrants, and fighting the hatred, racism, misogyny and xenophobia it generated. 

RMIAN Attorney Elizabeth Zambrana states, “We are working tirelessly to ensure that our clients and immigrant communities everywhere are protected and prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. RMIAN will educate current and former DACA clients, service providers, community organizations and the general public to ensure that Colorado communities receive accurate information about their rights and how to protect themselves and others. We will use all legal tools at our disposal to secure the rights of the most vulnerable, as we always have. We stand in solidarity with immigrant communities, not only as legal allies, but as neighbors, friends and essential community members. ” 

Apart from the harsh agenda the new administration has vowed to bring to Washington in January, 2017, RMIAN already is responding to an immediate immigration detention crisis. The number of individuals detained at the for-profit GEO Group immigration detention center in Aurora has nearly doubled since the beginning of October. RMIAN is struggling to stretch existing resources to serve a vastly larger number of vulnerable asylum seekers housed there, including hundreds of Haitians who have fled unspeakable hardship. 

Please consider supporting RMIAN’s work during this extraordinarily difficult time. You can help in the following ways: 

1. If you are an attorney, contact RMIAN’s Pro Bono Coordinator Alex Gavern at agavern@rmian.org to request a pro bono case for a detained asylum-seeker or for a child who will face complex immigration proceedings alone because they cannot afford a private attorney. The need for volunteer attorneys is enormous. RMIAN will provide you with a screened referral, detailed memorandum, professional liability insurance, and a mentor. 
2. Voice your support for humane immigration policies that represent RMIAN’s values. 
3. Support RMIAN financially so we can fulfill our values statement, “We believe that justice for immigrants means justice for all.” Donations may be mailed directly to RMIAN at 3489 West 72nd Avenue, Suite 211, Westminster, CO 80030 or via RMIAN’s website www.rmian.org 

For additional information about RMIAN and ways you can help, please see www.rmian.org or contact Executive Director Mekela Goehring at mgoehring@rmian.org or (720) 370-9102. 

Sincerely, 
Patricia Medige
Mekela Goehring

RMIAN Statement on 2016 Presidential Election [PDF]