Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
SCIJ’s Law and Immigration Training Program engages students in gaining a broad overview of immigration law so they’re prepared to provide legal services to immigrants, learning about the history and systemic issues with US immigration, and building skills in community organizing and advocacy.
Why Get Trained?
When an asylum seeker does not have legal representation, immigration courts in the US deny 90% of cases. By getting trained, you can make a difference. With representation, asylum seekers are five times more likely to win their case. With nearly 500,000 pending asylum cases, there are too many for lawyers to handle on their own.
Our Approach
SCIJ’s Law and Immigration Training Program trains students so they have the skills to be effective immigration legal advocates, can qualify for accreditation, and are dedicated to a life of immigrant justice and social change. The program includes lecture-style presentations and hands-on exercises, in addition to workshops about community organizing.
Sign-Up
Any student enrolled at a partner school can join the Program for free. The only requirement for students is that they commit to completing the training program.
Broad Overview of Immigration Law
Students gain a broad overview of core immigration law concepts, practical skills, and experiences to be effective advocates.
Community Organizing
Students are trained in both the technical skills of immigration law and the knowledge to understand why the US immigration system is the way it is and how they can change it by utilizing community organizing strategies.
Mobilize
After completing SCIJ’s training program, students begin applying their skills through SCIJ’s immigration clinics located at partner schools.
How Are You Trained?
Students are trained through SCIJ’s Law & Immigration Program, a 13-session, 45-hour intensive series of workshops that prepares students to provide legal services to asylum seekers and to organize for immigrant justice.
Any student enrolled at one of SCIJ’s partner schools can sign up for the Program. The Program is offered during fall semesters and prepares students to begin working on cases in SCIJ’s clinic by the spring semester. During the fall of 2020, the training will be delivered online.
The training includes approximately 27 hours of instruction, and 15 hours of self-directed and applied learning. There is also a 3-hour final exam. Students must receive a passing grade on the final exam in order to be eligible to work on immigration cases.
What Are you Trained to Do?
Legal Justice
SCIJ’s training Program provides students with an overview of core immigration law concepts, practical skills, and experiences to be an effective advocate. In addition, by completing this program, students will have the training background necessary to apply for Accreditation with the Department of Justice.
Community Organizing
SCIJ’s training Program takes a socio-historical, systemic approach to understanding the legal system. SCIJ trains students in both the technical skills of immigration law and the knowledge to understand why the US immigration system is the way it is and how they can change it by utilizing community organizing strategies.
Some of the Topics Covered
- Affirmative and Defensive Asylum
- Removal Orders and Proceedings
- Legal Ethics and Case Management
- Public Narrative
- Relational Organizing
