AILA Joins National Partners to Launch Deferred Action Website
August 17, 2012
CONTACTS:
George Tzamaras or Belle Woods
202-507-7649 / 202-507-7675
gtzamaras@aila.org / bwoods@aila.org
Online Portal to Assist Immigrants Brought to the U.S. as Children and Protect Against Notario Fraud
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is proud to be part of the national effort to launch a website which is designed to help immigrants brought to this country as children understand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative. Through DACA, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will grant two-year, renewable, reprieves from deportation to eligible young immigrants who meet certain criteria.
The site, Own the Dream (www.weownthedream.org) or Únete al Sueño (www.unetealsueno.org) in Spanish, offers an online self-screening tool for DACA applicants so they can understand their eligibility for the initiative and a searchable directory of listings for free or low-cost nonprofit immigration legal services providers in all 50 states. Along with a calendar of community events, such as information sessions and application workshops, the site includes links to news about the Deferred Action program and frequently asked questions.
"AILA's national organization was thrilled to work with a coalition of immigrants' rights groups, including DREAMers themselves, to leverage the power of technology and social media to help young immigrants. This important tool will ensure that DREAMers have solid, reliable information that will help prevent them from being taken advantage of by notarios and the unscrupulous. AILA members across the nation are participating in community forums and clinics to help these young people safely step out of the shadows and openly contribute to our economy and society," said AILA President Laura Lichter.
The site uses a technology platform developed by Pro Bono Net, a national nonprofit that works to increase access to justice, which is used to support broad-based networks of legal aid, civil rights and pro bono lawyers.
Along with AILA, Own the Dream campaign partners include AFL-CIO, America's Voice Education Fund, American Immigration Council, Asian American Justice Center, Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Educators for Fair Consideration, Farmworker Justice, Immigration Advocates Network, Mi Familia Vota, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, National Council of La Raza, National Immigration Law Center, National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, PICO National Network, Presente.org, Pro Bono Net, Service Employees International Union, and United We Dream.
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The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.