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Diary from Baby Jail

March 21, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Each year, law student volunteers from the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)’s chapter at Yale Law School travel to the nation’s largest immigration detention center in Dilley, Texas. Kayla Morin is one of 12 students who spent her spring break helping detained families pursue asylum in the United States.

Guest Post by Kayla Morin

Dilley Day 0: Orientation
We arrived in Dilley, Texas, a small town of 3,674 people about an hour away from San Antonio. I was first struck by how desolate an area this was. Everywhere I looked there was either a deserted building, a store that had gone out of business, or flat, empty space.

As evening approached we made our way to the “Ranch” for orientation with the Dilley Pro Bono Project (DPBP). We passed by a men’s prison on the way. Incarceration, it appears, drives this town economically.

During orientation, we talked about the tension between advocating for a particular client and fighting against the system in general, which reminded me of our discussions in the ASAP seminar at Yale. In this political moment, the DPBP staff has opted to focus on advocating for individuals, just as we are in the ASAP seminar. Strategically, I think this is the right choice.

Dilley Day 1:
We arrived at the detention center at 7:30 a.m. I had never been inside a prison facility before, so the whole experience felt a bit surreal. I paired up with a Yale student to tackle our first preliminary asylum interview preparation session. As we worked with this client, we were able to help her organize what was at first a series of horrific events into a legally articulable claim. I had the incredible opportunity to accompany the client to a preliminary asylum interview, which is the first step in winning asylum in the United States.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the officer was kind and generous. The interview went well. It was heartening to see the client respond to questions in the way we had practiced, while staying truthful to her experiences. I felt like our preparation had made a difference in how she articulated her claim. She strongly presented her claim, and explained when and why she fled her home country. The asylum officer allowed me to directly question the client at the end of the interview, which I felt strengthened some points in her case. I also was able to give a closing statement. At the end of the interview, the asylum officer let her know that she would likely receive a positive decision.

I did two more interview preparation sessions. I was struck by how strong these women are, and how they will do absolutely anything for their children. One of the women started crying as we spoke to her about her claim. I hated feeling like I was hurting her, but I also desperately wanted her to get a positive decision with the asylum office. I left the day feeling a tension between advocacy and compassion.

Dilley Day 3:
By day three, I had a better grasp of the process and began to prep clients more quickly. On this day, one moment in particular stood out. It was mid-afternoon, and I was helping clients fill out their intake forms. A woman raised her hand for help, and I walked over to ask her what she needed. She told me that she couldn’t write, so I sat down and slowly had her spell out her name, the name of her child, and the name of her husband. When I asked for her date of birth, she told me 1998. I have a younger sister Sophie who was also born in 1998. I couldn’t help but compare the two. This woman and my sister are the same age, but the woman cannot read or write, has a four-year-old son, and is imprisoned in the United States. No one—let alone a nineteen-year-old—should have to go through what she’s been through. I can’t bear the thought of my sister having to go through the same thing. We come from a place of such privilege, just by virtue of the fact that we can read and write. I don’t think I’ll ever forget this.

I also heard some absolutely horrific things today: repeated rapes that continued for decades; death threats; knife attacks; extreme poverty; the heartbreak of leaving a child behind; hunger; fear; and too much more to recount. At some point the stories start blending together. One woman spoke of going to church, and then returning home to have her husband hit her with a Bible. He did so after reading the verse that wives should submit to their husbands.

None of these women left their homes, their livelihoods, and their families behind without a reason to go. They didn’t risk the lives of their children and themselves without an explanation. Each of them left out of necessity. And now that they’re in the United States, they are again faced with a system that’s unjust and wrong. My heart breaks to hear about the hardship these women have faced, and the different type of hardship they’ll face throughout their legal battle and transition to the United States.

These women are the focus of our spring break trip in Dilley. However, I’ve also considered how this trip affects me personally. I’m a Christian, and have been one all my life. At this point, I’m not sure if the trip has strengthened or weakened my belief in God. There is so much inexplicable cruelty, injustice, and suffering in the world. The fact that my sister can read, that she doesn’t have a four-year-old child, and that she comes from a loving, stable family is pure luck. The fact that we were born in the United States is pure luck. How could God allow such random suffering and injustice in the world? I don’t know.

But then I see these women, their resilience, strength, and fierce love for their children. I see them struggle through interviews with tears in their eyes. I offer them a break during the interviews, but they almost never need one. They are determined to tell their stories and create a better life for their children. They always greet me with a smile, and when I ask how they’re doing, always answer bien. Some of them add, “Gracias a Dios.” And I know that if these women still believe in God after everything they’ve been through, that I can, too.

Dilley Day 4:
Today I almost cried in a meeting with a client. After all of the horrific things I’ve heard this week, I felt especially disheartened while hearing a woman describe how U.S. officials had treated her at the border. This woman told me that at an interview with an ICE official, a man told her that she didn’t belong here and that she was making it worse for people who already lived in the United States. He called her derogatory names. When her daughter was brought up, he said that the daughter was not a blessing from God.

For some reason, I reacted to this more emotionally than I had when hearing other unthinkable things these women had suffered. I think this statement affected me in that way because even after everything these women have been through, they will still face discrimination in the United States. I want their suffering to end once they cross the border. In reality, I know that can’t be true.

I often felt like I was perpetuating these women’s suffering as well. I hated having to ask them sensitive, probing questions, and hated forcing them to recount the most traumatic episodes in their lives. On one occasion, though, I was able to set up a call with a woman’s relative who lived in the United States. She lit up when her relative answered the phone. For once, I finally felt like I was helping in a direct and tangible way. I also felt helpful when I helped the women fill out forms. The women were so concerned that any error on their forms would negatively impact their case. One woman’s black pen ran out, and she switched to another with blue ink. She worried that the change in color would somehow mess up her application for asylum. I assured her that it wouldn’t, but I felt awful that these women live with fear, worry, and confusion as they try to navigate the incomprehensible asylum system.

Dilley Day 5:
I started the day by helping to prep a client with a tough case. My partner and I eventually found a category into which her asylum claim fit, and in so doing, I realized that I really liked legal work. I enjoyed thinking creatively and problem solving to organize a set of facts to satisfy a legal standard. I liked wearing the “detective” hat, and liked the sense of accomplishment of having figured out the best way to frame a client’s story.

After lunch, I helped give release presentations to the women. A classmate and I were escorted over to another building to give the talk. Other than DPBP’s office, I had been to two other buildings inside the facility: the asylum office and this building for the release presentation. Each time I moved around the facility, a guard would escort me to another building. I did not feel free. Though they call the facility a “family residential center,” it’s a prison. One of the DPBP staff called it a “baby jail”—even harmless infants are detained.

I was escorted into a non-descript room with pews lined up in rows. The room felt eerily like a church, but when I asked a woman if this was the iglesia, she said no. That afternoon, I gave three release presentations, during which I described the next steps these women would take to apply for asylum. I explained the grillete, or ankle monitor, to them, and described how bail worked. I told them they had to go to appointments with ICE and with the court, and to notify both if they changed their address. I encouraged them to find an attorney as soon as possible.

At one point in the talk, I handed out a list of legal resources to the women based on the city or state they were headed next. I was surprised by the variety of places where these women had relatives—Utah, Wisconsin, Ohio, Idaho, and Washington, for example, were all mentioned. I was encouraged that the women had somewhere to go and someone to live with, but hoped that they weren’t headed to reunite with a family member who had abused them in the past.

Though the release presentation is one of the happier times at the jail, I still left with a feeling of dread in my stomach for these women. I presented a vast amount of information in a short amount of time, sometimes yelling over babies’ wails. I handed out a packet of information to them, but some can’t read. Even for those who can, the system is still enormously convoluted. I tried to emphasize that they call the 800 number once a week to check on their court dates, but I know from experience that many of them will miss court dates. Others may miss the one-year filing deadline.

On top of navigating the legal system, the women will have to find a place to live, obtain a work permit, put their kids in school, provide for their children, and likely deal with physical, mental, or emotional trauma for the rest of their lives. Their bravery and strength amaze me, but I know that adjusting to the United States won’t be easy.

As I gave the release presentations, I was reminded of our work with our ASAP client. She has been in the legal system for years. She’s had to retell her story over and over again to government officials and lawyers and law students. At the same time, she cares for her two young children and works what I’ve gathered is a full-time job.  The clients released from Dilley likewise have a long road ahead of them.

I’m scared for them. But I also know that if they made the arduous journey up to the United States that they are tough as nails. Through force of will they came here to make a better life for themselves and their children. They maintain, at least outwardly, a positive demeanor and unwavering faith in God. They smiled, laughed at my poor jokes, and always thanked us for our help. They treated their children with love and affection.

One of the law students on the trip told us that she tried to end every interview by empowering the women. She would say, “You are a woman. Because of this you are strong and brave. You are an amazing mother to your children, and you will build a better life here.” Some of these women have probably never heard these words of encouragement. But they couldn’t be more true.

DIARIO DE LA CÁRCEL DE BEBÉS

21 de marzo de 2018

Cada año, los estudiantes voluntarios de derecho del capítulo del Proyecto de Apoyo para Solicitantes de Asilo (o ASAP por sus siglas en inglés) en la Facultad de Derecho de Yale viajan al centro de detención de inmigrantes más grande del país en Dilley, Texas. Kayla Morin es una de los 12 estudiantes que pasaron sus vacaciones de primavera ayudando a familias detenidas a solicitar asilo en los Estados Unidos.

Escrito por Kayla Morin

Día 0 en Dilley: Orientación

Llegamos a Dilley, Texas, un pequeño pueblo de 3.674 personas a una hora de San Antonio. Primero me sorprendió lo desolada que era esta área. Dondequiera que miraba, había un edificio desierto, una tienda cerrada, o un espacio plano y vacío.

A medida que se acercaba la noche, nos dirigimos al “Rancho” para orientarnos con el Proyecto Dilley Pro Bono (DPBP, por sus siglas en inglés). Pasamos por una prisión de hombres en el camino. El encarcelamiento, al parecer, impulsa la economía de esta ciudad.

Durante la orientación, hablamos sobre la tensión entre abogar por un cliente en particular y luchar contra el sistema en general, lo que me recordó de nuestras discusiones en el seminario ASAP en Yale. En este momento político, el personal de DPBP ha optado por centrarse en abogar por las personas, tal como hacemos en el seminario ASAP. Creo que esta es la elección correcta y estratégica.

Día 1 en Dilley:

Llegamos al centro de detención a las 7:30 a.m., nunca antes había estado dentro de un centro penitenciario, así que toda la experiencia se sintió un poco surrealista. Me junté con un estudiante de Yale para abordar nuestra primera sesión preliminar de preparación para la entrevista de asilo con una clienta. Pudimos ayudar a la clienta a organizar lo que al principio fue una serie de eventos horribles en un reclamo legal. Tuve la increíble oportunidad de acompañar a la clienta a una entrevista preliminar de asilo, que es el primer paso para obtener el asilo en los Estados Unidos.

Me sorprendió gratamente descubrir que el oficial era amable y generoso. La entrevista salió bien. Fue alentador ver a la clienta responder a las preguntas en la forma en que habíamos practicado, sin dejar de ser sincera con sus experiencias. Sentí que nuestra preparación había marcado la diferencia en cómo articuló su solicitud. Ella presentó fuertemente su reclamo y explicó cuándo y por qué huyó de su país de origen. El funcionario de asilo me permitió interrogar directamente a la clienta al final de la entrevista, lo cual sentí que fortaleció algunos elementos de su caso. También pude dar una declaración final. Al final de la entrevista, el funcionario de asilo le hizo saber que probablemente recibiría una decisión positiva.

Hice dos sesiones más de preparación de entrevistas. Me sorprendió lo fuertes que son estas mujeres y cómo harían absolutamente cualquier cosa por sus hijos. Una de las mujeres comenzó a llorar cuando le hablamos sobre su caso. Odiaba sentir que la estaba re-traumatizando, pero también quería desesperadamente que le tocara una decisión positiva para su asilo. Terminé el día sintiendo una tensión entre la defensa y la compasión.

Día 3 en Dilley:

Para el tercer día, comprendía mejor el proceso y llegué a preparar a los clientes más rápidamente. En este día, un momento en particular se destacó. Era media tarde y estaba ayudando a las clientas a completar sus formularios de admisión. Una mujer levantó la mano en busca de ayuda, y me acerqué para preguntarle qué necesitaba. Ella me dijo que no sabía escribir, así que me senté y lentamente la ayudé a que deletreara su nombre, el nombre de su hijo y el nombre de su esposo. Cuando le pregunté su fecha de nacimiento, me dijo que nació en 1998. Tengo una hermana menor, Sophie, que también nació en 1998. No pude evitar comparar a las dos. Esta mujer y mi hermana tienen la misma edad, pero esta mujer no sabe leer ni escribir, tiene un hijo de cuatro años y está encarcelada en los Estados Unidos. Nadie, y mucho menos una persona joven de diecinueve años, debería tener que pasar por lo que ella ha pasado. No puedo soportar la idea de que mi hermana tenga que pasar por lo mismo. Venimos de un lugar tan privilegiado, sólo por el hecho de que podemos leer y escribir. No creo que vaya a olvidar ese momento.

También escuché algunas cosas absolutamente horribles hoy: repetidas violaciones que continuaron durante décadas; amenazas de muerte; ataques con cuchillo; pobreza extrema; la angustia de dejar atrás a un niño; hambre; temor; y mucho más para contar. En algún momento las historias comienzan a mezclarse. Una mujer habló de ir a la iglesia y luego regresar a casa a que su esposo le golpeara con una Biblia. Lo hizo después de leer el versículo que las esposas deben someterse ante sus esposos.

Ninguna de estas mujeres abandonó sus hogares, sus medios de vida y sus familias sin una razón para irse. No arriesgaron la vida de sus hijos ni de ellas mismas sin un por qué. Cada una de ellas se fue por necesidad. Y ahora que están en los Estados Unidos, nuevamente se enfrentan a un sistema injusto e incorrecto. Me rompe el corazón escuchar las dificultades que han enfrentado estas mujeres y los diferentes tipos de dificultades que enfrentarán durante su batalla legal y su transición a los Estados Unidos.

Estas mujeres son el centro de nuestro viaje de vacaciones de primavera en Dilley. Sin embargo, también he considerado cómo este viaje me afecta personalmente. Soy cristiana y lo he sido toda mi vida. En este punto, no estoy segura de si el viaje ha fortalecido o debilitado mi creencia en Dios. ¡Hay tanta crueldad inexplicable, injusticia y sufrimiento en el mundo! El hecho de que mi hermana sabe leer, que no tiene un hijo de cuatro años y que proviene de una familia amorosa y estable es pura suerte. El hecho de que nacimos en los Estados Unidos es pura suerte. ¿Cómo podría Dios permitir tal sufrimiento aleatorio e injusto en el mundo? No lo sé.

Pero luego veo a estas mujeres, su capacidad de recuperación, fuerza y ​​amor feroz por sus hijos. Las veo luchar a través de entrevistas con lágrimas en los ojos. Les ofrezco un descanso durante las entrevistas, pero casi nunca lo aceptan. Están decididas a contar sus historias y crear una vida mejor para sus hijos. Siempre me saludan con una sonrisa, y cuando les pregunto cómo les va, siempre responden que bien. Algunas de ellos agregan, “Gracias a Dios”. Y sé que si estas mujeres todavía creen en Dios después de todo lo que han pasado, yo también puedo.

 Día 4 en Dilley:

Hoy casi lloré en una reunión con una clienta. Después de todas las cosas horribles que escuché esta semana, me sentí especialmente desanimada al escuchar a una mujer describir cómo la habían tratado los funcionarios estadounidenses en la frontera. Esta mujer me dijo que en una entrevista con un funcionario de ICE, un hombre le dijo que ella no tenía nada que hacer aquí y que estaba empeorando las cosas para las personas que ya vivían en los Estados Unidos. Le dijo cosas despectivas. Le dijo que su hija no era una bendición de Dios.

Por alguna razón, reaccioné a esto más emocionalmente que cuando escuché otras cosas impensables que estas mujeres habían sufrido. Creo que esta declaración me afectó de esa manera porque incluso después de todo lo que han pasado estas mujeres, aún enfrentarán discriminación en los Estados Unidos. Quiero que su sufrimiento termine una vez que crucen la frontera. En realidad, sé que eso no es la realidad.

A menudo sentía que también perpetuaba el sufrimiento de estas mujeres. Odiaba tener que hacerles preguntas sensibles y de sondeo, y odiaba obligarlas a contar los episodios más traumáticos de sus vidas. Sin embargo, en una ocasión pude configurar una llamada con un pariente de una mujer que vivía en los Estados Unidos. Se encendió cuando su pariente contestó el teléfono. Por una vez, finalmente sentí que estaba ayudando de una manera directa y tangible. También me sentí útil cuando ayudé a las mujeres a completar formularios. Las mujeres estaban tan preocupadas que cualquier error en sus formularios pudiera perjudicar su caso. El bolígrafo negro de una mujer se agotó y ella cambió a otra con tinta azul. Le preocupaba que el cambio de color estropeara de alguna manera su solicitud de asilo. Le aseguré que no sería así, pero me sentí muy mal porque estas mujeres viven con miedo, preocupación y confusión mientras intentan navegar por el incomprensible sistema de asilo.

Día 5 en Dilley:

Comencé el día ayudando a preparar a una clienta con un caso difícil. Mi compañero y yo finalmente encontramos una categoría en la que encajaba su solicitud de asilo, y al hacerlo, me di cuenta de que realmente me gustaba el trabajo legal. Disfruté pensando creativamente y resolviendo problemas para organizar un conjunto de hechos para satisfacer un estándar legal. Me gustaba tener que trabajar como “detective”, y me gustaba la sensación de logro de haber descubierto la mejor manera de enmarcar la historia de una clienta.

Después del almuerzo, ayudé a dar charlas de excarcelación a las mujeres. Nos llevaron a mí y a otro compañero de clase a otro edificio para dar la charla. Aparte de la oficina de DPBP, había estado en otros dos edificios dentro de las instalaciones: la oficina de asilo y este edificio para la charla de excarcelación para cuando se liberan de detención. Cada vez que me movía por las instalaciones, un guardia me escoltaba a otro edificio. No me sentía libre. Aunque le llaman a la instalación un “centro residencial familiar”, la realidad es que es una prisión. Uno de los miembros del personal de DPBP lo calificó de “cárcel para bebés”; porque detienen incluso a infantes.

Me llevaron a una habitación sin gracia con filas de bancos. La habitación daba la rara sensación como de una iglesia, pero cuando le pregunté a una mujer si era una iglesia, me respondió que no. Esa tarde, hice tres presentaciones de charlas de excarcelación, durante las cuales describí los próximos pasos que estas mujeres tomarían para solicitar asilo. Les expliqué del monitor de tobillo, y les describí cómo funcionaba la fianza. Les dije que tenían que ir a las citas con ICE y con el tribunal, y notificar a ambos si cambiaban de dirección. Los animé a buscar un abogado lo antes posible.

En un momento de la charla, entregué una lista de recursos legales a las mujeres en función de la ciudad o el Estado al que se dirigían a continuación. Me sorprendió la variedad de lugares donde estas mujeres tenían parientes: Utah, Wisconsin, Ohio, Idaho y Washington, por ejemplo, fueron mencionados. Me alivió que las mujeres tuvieran un lugar a donde ir y con quién vivir, pero esperaba que no les tocara reunirse con un miembro de la familia que hubiera abusado de ellas.

Aunque la presentación de charla de excarcelación es uno de los momentos más felices en la cárcel, todavía me fui con una sensación de sosiego en el estómago por estas mujeres. Presenté una gran cantidad de información en un corto período de tiempo, a veces gritando sobre el llanto de los bebés. Les entregué un paquete de información, pero algunas no saben leer. Incluso para aquellas que sí saben, el sistema sigue siendo enormemente complicado. Traté de enfatizar la importancia de llamar al número 800 una vez por semana para verificar sus fechas de Corte, pero sé por experiencia que muchas de ellas perderán las fechas de Corte. Otras pueden perder la fecha límite de solicitud de asilo dentro del primer año de haber llegado a los EEUU.

Además de navegar el sistema legal, las mujeres tendrán que encontrar un lugar para vivir, obtener un permiso de trabajo, poner a sus hijos en la escuela, mantener a sus hijos y probablemente lidiar con traumas físicos, mentales o emocionales por el resto de su vida. Su valentía y fuerza me asombran, pero sé que adaptarse a los Estados Unidos no será fácil.

Mientras daba las presentaciones de charla de excarcelación, recordé nuestro trabajo con nuestra clienta de ASAP. Ella ha estado en el sistema legal durante años. Ella ha tenido que volver a contar su historia una y otra vez a funcionarios gubernamentales, abogados y estudiantes de derecho. Al mismo tiempo, ella cuida de sus dos hijos pequeños y mantiene un trabajo a tiempo completo. Las clientas liberadas de Dilley también tienen un largo camino por delante.

Tengo miedo por ellas. Pero también sé que si ya pudieron superar el duro viaje a los Estados Unidos, son fuertes como una roca. Por fuerza de voluntad vinieron aquí para mejorar su vida y la de sus hijos. Mantienen, al menos externamente, una actitud positiva y una fe inquebrantable en Dios. Sonrieron, se rieron de mis chistes terribles y siempre nos agradecieron por nuestra ayuda. Trataron a sus hijos con amor y afecto.

Una de las estudiantes de Derecho en el viaje nos dijo que ella trató de terminar cada entrevista empoderando a las mujeres. Ella decía: “Eres una mujer. Por eso eres fuerte y valiente. Eres una madre increíble para tus hijos y construirás una vida mejor aquí”. Algunas de estas mujeres probablemente nunca habían escuchado esas palabras. Pero no podrían ser más ciertas.

 


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Members Fight Work Permit Delays

Janis Jin   March 31, 2021

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. This quarter, thousands of ASAP members successfully defended their ability to work legally in the U.S.!  Thanks to…
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ASAP Reaches 75,000 Members

Janis Jin   March 24, 2021

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. We are excited to share that the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) now has 75,000 members! We have…
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W.L. Receives Her Work Permit

Janis Jin   January 12, 2021

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. ASAP member W.L., whose advocacy played a critical role in the lawsuit CASA v. Wolf, has received her…
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Judge Blocks New Asylum Rule

Janis Jin   January 11, 2021

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. BREAKING NEWS: On January 8, 2021, a federal judge decided that the government cannot change the asylum process…
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ASAP Staff Spotlight: Anne

Janis Jin   December 15, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO.  We are excited to spotlight Anne Recinos, Co-Legal Director at the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP). Anne is…
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ASAP Grows Membership

Janis Jin   September 9, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. We are excited to share updates about how the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has grown in response…
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Summer Reflections

Janis Jin   September 9, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. This summer ASAP was lucky to host legal interns Andrea Barrientos and Daniel Ocampo and legal fellow Clare…
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Sullivan’s Photo Story

Janis Jin   August 26, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. We are excited to share a photo story from Sullivan, a member of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project…
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Work Permits for Non-ASAP Members

Dorothy Tegeler   August 25, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Last updated on September 14, 2020. ASAP is currently challenging two new rules designed to prevent many asylum…
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ASAP Fights Biased Courts

Janis Jin   August 24, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. ASAP’s federal lawsuit challenging bias in the immigration court system will move forward, thanks to the recent ruling…
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New Asylum Application Toolkit

Janis Jin   July 31, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has released a new toolkit for advocates to help asylum seekers prepare…
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270 Damages Cases Placed

Janis Jin   June 20, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. ASAP connected over 270 asylum seekers with pro bono attorneys to help them file monetary damages claims against…
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Challenges During COVID-19

Janis Jin   June 18, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. For asylum seekers like Katherine, COVID-19 has made our immigration system even harder. Katherine was pregnant with twins…
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Eleven New Infographics

Janis Jin   June 17, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. ASAP has released 11 new infographics on the asylum process in Spanish! On topics ranging from how to check…
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ASAP Staff Spotlight: Dennise

Janis Jin   June 16, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. We are excited to highlight Dennise Moreno, one of our newest staff attorneys in ASAP’s Legal Emergency Department….
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Remote Trainings During COVID-19

Janis Jin   June 10, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has facilitated remote legal aid trainings for hundreds of attorneys and advocates…
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COVID-19 Resources

Dorothy Tegeler   April 9, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Over the past several weeks, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) staff have been working to share information and…
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Mom Takes Control of Her Case

Dorothy Tegeler   April 7, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Alejandra got her asylum case on track after joining one of ASAP’s online communities and accessing our resources…
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How to provide legal aid remotely

Dorothy Tegeler   March 26, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. During these turbulent times, ASAP is continuing to work on behalf of asylum seekers and helping other organizations…
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Training 200+ Pro Bono Attorneys

Janis Jin   March 25, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has trained over 200 pro bono attorneys to help separated families sue…
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A Deportation Prevented

Dorothy Tegeler   March 25, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. With ASAP’s help, Claudia was able to focus on childbirth rather than worry about missing her immigration hearing….
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ASAP Fights for Work Permits

Janis Jin   March 24, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. ASAP is fighting back as this administration tries to make it virtually impossible for asylum seekers to work…
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Guest Post: Applying for Asylum

Conchita Cruz   February 3, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Macy is a member of our online community for asylum-seeking mothers. She wrote this post to share with…
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Guest Post: Volunteering in Texas

Conchita Cruz   January 31, 2020

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Hannah Duncan is an ASAP volunteer and a student at Yale Law School. Hannah and other students traveled…
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Immigration Court Video Series

Dorothy Tegeler   December 16, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. ASAP has released a four part video series about how to navigate the immigration court process. The Spanish-language…
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Guest Post: Getting a Work Permit

Dorothy Tegeler   December 9, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Mirna is a member of our online community for asylum-seeking mothers. She wrote this post to share with…
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Family Wins 4-Year Legal Battle

Conchita Cruz   December 3, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Yolanda and her son are no longer living in fear of imminent deportation, after reversing their deportation order…
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Lessons from the Mexico-U.S. Border

Conchita Cruz   November 26, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Earlier this month, ASAP’s Legal Emergency Room (Legal ER) team – Dennise Moreno, Nicole Tan, and Liz Willis…
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ASAP Fights Proposed DHS Rule

Conchita Cruz   November 8, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. ASAP is fighting government efforts to make it impossible for asylum seekers to work in the United States….
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Family Closer to Reunification

Conchita Cruz   September 30, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. This summer, ASAP took on the challenge of bringing Leticia back from Guatemala and reuniting her with her…
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ASAP Becomes Standalone Nonprofit

Swapna Ready   September 27, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is excited to announce that we are now an independent nonprofit organization!…
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Mother Overturns Deportation Order

Conchita Cruz   September 25, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Naomi and her children are no longer living in fear of detention and imminent deportation. Now they can…
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ASAP Staff Retreat in Alabama

Conchita Cruz   September 24, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Last week the ASAP team traveled to Alabama for a wonderful staff retreat. During the retreat, we spent…
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Hearings in Two States in Same Week

Conchita Cruz   September 4, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The government expected Luz to appear in two different immigration courts thousands of miles apart – in the…
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ASAP Grows Systemic Reform Team

Conchita Cruz   September 2, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. ASAP has expanded its Systemic Reform department, welcoming two new staff members to our team: Litigation Paralegal Marilyn…
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ASAP Staff Spotlight: Daniela

Conchita Cruz   August 30, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. We are excited to introduce Daniela Rodriguez as ASAP’s Executive Assistant! Daniela migrated to the United States from…
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Victory in Legal ER

Conchita Cruz   August 13, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Zulema accessed emergency legal aid and averted deportation for herself and her family. We met Zulema in our…
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Response to Threat of Raids

Conchita Cruz   July 24, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) responded to the threat of immigration raids on asylum seekers this summer….
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ASAP Staff Spotlight: Marilyn

Conchita Cruz   July 23, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. We are excited to introduce Marilyn E. Alvarado, ASAP’s new litigation paralegal! Marilyn is a native New Yorker…
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ASAP Sues to Stop Deportations

Conchita Cruz   July 11, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. ASAP joined with three other legal services organizations in suing the government to stop the deportations of thousands…
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ASAP Launches New Online Community

Conchita Cruz   July 1, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. ASAP is excited to announce the launch of a new online community for all Spanish-speaking adults who are…
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ASAP Intern Spotlight: Edith

Janis Jin   June 30, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. This summer ASAP has been very grateful to host Legal Intern Edith Lerner, whose work has played in…
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Victory for Family Suing ICE and CBP

Dorothy Tegeler   June 13, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. ASAP clients Suny Rodríguez and her minor son settled a first-of-its-kind federal lawsuit against U.S. Customs and Border…
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Lawsuit for Reunited Families

Conchita Cruz   June 10, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. For families separated at the border, reunification was only the first step towards safety and justice. These families…
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ASAP Staff Spotlight: Jasmina

Conchita Cruz   June 7, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. We are very excited to introduce Jasmina Nogo, ASAP’s newest Staff Attorney! Jasmina came to the United States…
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Winning Asylum Against the Odds

Conchita Cruz   May 31, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. ASAP represented Andrea in reopening her asylum case, after she received a deportation order. When Andrea first contacted…
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Mom Represents Herself And Wins

Conchita Cruz   April 14, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Last month, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) helped Emily prepare a motion to move her case from…
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ASAP Staff Retreat in Chicago

Conchita Cruz   April 3, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The ASAP team convened in Chicago last week for an action-packed staff retreat. After a few in-person meetings…
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IRAP Litigation Partnership

Dorothy Tegeler   March 7, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. ASAP and the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) are excited to announce our partnership to bring litigation on…
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ASAP Staff Spotlight: William

Conchita Cruz   March 6, 2019

Communications and Development Associate William Montgomery says: “I feel so lucky to be a part of this team and to…
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ASAP Featured in Legal Journal

Dorothy Tegeler   March 5, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is proud to be featured in Professor Lindsay Harris’s recent article in…
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Victory in Legal ER

Dorothy Tegeler   February 28, 2019

  Zulema accessed emergency legal aid and averted deportation for herself and her family. We met Zulema through our online community…
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ASAP Partner Spotlight: MSHRP

Dorothy Tegeler   January 23, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is proud to partner with the Mount Sinai Human Rights Program (MSHRP),…
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A Volunteer’s Week in Dilley

Dorothy Tegeler   January 19, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. ASAP at Yale member, Hannah Duncan, traveled to the Mexico-U.S. border to provide assistance to families at the…
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Deportation Reversed for Family

Dorothy Tegeler   January 18, 2019

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. After working with the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) to successfully reverse her deportation order, Maria shared: “I…
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ASAP’s Second Annual Report

Conchita Cruz   November 29, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has released our second Annual Report! ASAP’s online community member, Libia shared:…
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ASAP Condemns New Border Rule

Dorothy Tegeler   November 9, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) condemns the new interim final rule limiting the ways families fleeing violence…
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Co-Founder Grows Policy Work

Swapna Ready   October 15, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. We are excited to announce the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) co-founder Conchita Cruz has received a two-year…
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After Reunification, Fight Continues

Dorothy Tegeler   October 14, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Javier, an asylum-seeking father recently reunited with his child, said, “I was separated from my son who is seven…
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ASAP Supporters Take Action

Dorothy Tegeler   October 12, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Two weeks ago, we called on our supporters to take a stand against the inhumane detention of immigrant…
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ASAP Condemns Detention of Children

Dorothy Tegeler   September 17, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Last week the Trump administration proposed new regulations that would allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to…
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A Summer Fighting for Families

Dorothy Tegeler   August 30, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Through a difficult summer filled with heart-wrenching news and attacks against asylum seekers, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project…
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Victory for Mother and Daughter

Dorothy Tegeler   August 17, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. After receiving news of a victory in her case, Libia shared her reflections about navigating the immigration system:…
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New Guide for Border Advocates

Swapna Ready   July 30, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Access to an attorney while in detention could mean life or death for asylum-seeking families fleeing unspeakable violence….
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ASAP is Hiring

Dorothy Tegeler   July 26, 2018

The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is now hiring a Development Associate and an Immigration Staff Attorney! ASAP serves over 2,800…
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ASAP Fights for Families

Dorothy Tegeler   June 29, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has heightened attacks on asylum seekers and their families. In an effort…
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ASAP Helps Client Find New Beginning

Dorothy Tegeler   June 27, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. After fighting to reverse her deportation order, our client Andrea shared this message: “I am happy and grateful…
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ASAP Co-Founders Speak Out

Swapna Ready   June 2, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. In response to the Trump administration’s recent policy changes, ASAP’s staff have spoken out on various publications and…
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ASAP Receives Outpouring of Support

Dorothy Tegeler   June 1, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. In recent weeks, ASAP has been deeply grateful for the major outpouring of support. Thousands have donated, joined…
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ASAP Fellowship Sponsorship

Dorothy Tegeler   May 28, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) at the Urban Justice Center seeks to sponsor law students and recent…
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ASAP Issues Policy Report

Dorothy Tegeler   May 22, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Did you know that 85% of the more than 24,000 asylum-seeking families ordered deported from July 2014 to…
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Reflections from ASAP’s Interns

Swapna Ready   May 20, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Read on for our interns’ reflections from this past semester: Cindy Zhunio “Coming from a large undocumented community,…
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Mothers Build Strength in Community

Dorothy Tegeler   May 11, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Updated June 22, 2018 Our private online community is growing! The group has expanded by nearly 100 members…
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ASAP Welcomes New Staff

Dorothy Tegeler   April 10, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. We are excited to welcome Evelyn Núñez and Nicole Tan as the newest additions to the Asylum Seeker…
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Client Wins Challenging Appeal

Dorothy Tegeler   April 2, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Four months after refusing to grant Cristina’s appeal and reverse her deportation order, the Board of Immigration Appeals…
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ASAP Joins Greater Sum 2018 Cohort

Dorothy Tegeler   April 1, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is excited to announce that we are now members of The Greater…
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Diary from Baby Jail

Dorothy Tegeler   March 21, 2018

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Each year, law student volunteers from the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)’s chapter at Yale Law School travel…
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ASAP’s First Annual Report

Dorothy Tegeler   December 6, 2017

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has released our first ever Annual Report! ASAP client Sandra says, “As someone…
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ASAP Seeks An Immigration Paralegal

Swapna Ready   December 6, 2017

The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is looking for an immigration paralegal to join our team! The paralegal’s responsibilities will…
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Tribune Op-Ed: Sessions is Wrong

Dorothy Tegeler   December 1, 2017

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) board member Michelle Mendez and co-founder Swapna Reddy write in the Chicago Tribune:…
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#GivingTuesday Success

Swapna Ready   November 29, 2017

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is excited to announce that our #GivingTuesday campaign was a success! With…
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ASAP Wins J.M.K. Innovation Prize

Dorothy Tegeler   November 21, 2017

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has been named one of ten winners of the 2017 J.M.K. Innovation…
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Emergency Motions to Reopen Project

Dorothy Tegeler   October 17, 2017

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is excited to announce a 96% win rate for our emergency motions…
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Raising Awareness in October

Dorothy Tegeler   October 16, 2017

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. October has been a busy month as our co-founders presented at events and trainings for: the American Bar…
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Client Fights Fraud, Inspires Others

Dorothy Tegeler   October 4, 2017

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)’s client Luna fled to the United States after her siblings were murdered…
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Volunteer Profile: Joanne Lee

Dorothy Tegeler   October 1, 2017

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Volunteer Joanne Lee, Yale law student and Co-President of the YLS chapter of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project…
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ASAP Welcomes New Staff

Dorothy Tegeler   September 1, 2017

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. We are excited to have co-founders Dorothy Tegeler and Liz Willis officially join our staff! Dorothy is joining…
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Great Fundraising News

Dorothy Tegeler   July 6, 2017

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Thank you to the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Conant Family Foundation, and Echoing Green for supporting our work and…
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Lawsuit Against ICE Moves Forward

Dorothy Tegeler   May 25, 2017

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)’s client Suny Rodriguez sued the U.S. government for its mistreatment of her…
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Mother and Newborn Reunited

Dorothy Tegeler   May 14, 2017

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. A few months ago, a woman reached out to us through the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)’s online…
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Asylum Win for North Carolina Family

Dorothy Tegeler   April 30, 2017

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Sandra and her father were mayoral candidates in Central America, when her father was murdered. After his murder,…
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Student Reflection from Detention

Dorothy Tegeler   March 20, 2017

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Guest Post by Iva Velickovic, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) Volunteer Last Thursday, I practiced counting to ten…
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Op-Ed: Deportation Could Mean Death

Dorothy Tegeler   March 9, 2017

ESPAÑOL ABAJO. Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) co-founders Conchita Cruz and Swapna Reddy published an op-ed in TIME highlighting the…
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