Approximately 140 Afghan asylum seekers have settled in Asheville and the surrounding area following the Taliban takeover of their country last August. These evacuees fled Afghanistan immediately when Taliban seized power—leaving without saying goodbye to parents, siblings, or adult children, because they faced persecution and death at the hands of the Taliban. They did not have time to pursue refugee status.
Without refugee status, Afghan asylum seekers must file an asylum application within one year of entering the U.S., which for most is August 2022. For most Afghan evacuees in WNC, asylum is the only option for securing permanent, legal status to remain in the U.S. so they can build a safe, stable life.
Pisgah Legal Services had hoped that Afghan Asylum seekers settled in WNC would receive help to apply for asylum from national organizations doing this work. However, we learned in March that few local Afghans have been able to secure legal help through these organizations, so PLS seems to be the only option for free legal help for these newcomers to meet their deadlines.
We have launched an Afghan Asylum Project that will assist local Afghan asylum seekers to submit asylum applications within a very short timeline, by August 1st. We expect to assist 40-50 Afghan heads of household with applications that will impact a total of about 100+ people.
In order to help the Afghan evacuees in our community meet their deadlines to submit asylum applications, Pisgah Legal needs the assistance of 10 to 20 volunteer attorneys. Volunteers do not need to have immigration law experience.
Details of Volunteer Opportunity
- Info Sessions: PLS is hosting brief (20 minute) information sessions for attorneys on April 12 at 9am and April 18 at 12:30. Email katierm@pisgahlegal.org for Zoom links.
- Training & Support: Training will be provided to all volunteer attorneys on April 21, 12noon to 1:30pm via Zoom and volunteers will also be asked to review additional training materials. The training will be recorded for anyone who cannot attend live. Volunteer attorneys will have the support and guidance of practicing immigration attorneys throughout the project. Immigration attorneys will review all asylum applications prepared by volunteers before they are submitted.
- Meetings with Clients: Volunteers will meet with Afghan clients at clinics and/or individual appointments in May and June to prepare their asylum applications (I-589 forms). Caseworkers and volunteers are working with clients to compile necessary information and documentation for their applications prior to their meetings with attorneys. Immigration attorneys will review and submit all applications in July.
- Extent of Volunteer Work: We expect that individual cases may take up to 10 hours of time from a pro bono attorney. Volunteers can determine how many cases they can take. We welcome your help even if with just one case. Pisgah Legal will only be assisting local Afghans with completing their asylum application; we expect to collaborate with Washington, D.C.-based attorneys to assist our clients with their asylum interviews that will take place in Arlington, VA this fall.
Please contact Katie Russell Miller at Katierm@pisgahlegal.org or 828-210-3420 to sign up for training or with questions.