San Francisco Immigrants Can Receive Free Legal Consultations on Naturalization from AILA Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 21, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - This Saturday, June 29, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), in partnership with San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative, will offer free immigration law services focused on naturalization applications. Dozens of immigration attorneys will be available to answer questions and assess each participant's situation as it relates to the naturalization process and will make direct positive contributions to aspiring new citizens by helping to remove cost, access, language, and knowledge barriers. The event, the third Pro Bono Clinic held in conjunction with AILA's Annual Conference, will take place at the University of California Hastings College of Law and cases will be handled on a first come, first served basis. At last year's event in Nashville, TN, AILA members helped over 200 immigrants and they hope to help many more at this year's event which is held during AILA's 57th Annual Conference this week at the Hilton, San Francisco Union Square.

"Nearly 4,000 AILA members will converge on San Francisco to share and add to their immigration law expertise. While we are here, in one of the most multi-cultural cities in the United States, we want to again give back to the local community and offer our services to those who need them most," said AILA Executive Director Crystal Williams.

Partnering with AILA this year is the San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative made up of local immigration-focused nonprofits including Self-Help for the Elderly, Asian Law Caucus, Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach, Catholic Charities CYO, International Institute of the Bay Area, Jewish Family and Children's Services, and La Raza Community Resource Center.

All interested individuals are encouraged to attend this event, including members of the press.

AILA Pro Bono Immigration Clinic
Saturday, June 29, 2013
10:00 am-2:00 pm
University of California Hastings College of Law
198 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102

Volunteer interpreters in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and other languages will be in attendance.