Volunteer Joanne Lee, Yale law student and Co-President of the YLS chapter of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) writes: “Near the end of my first semester of law school, I took a day off from studying for final exams to help a detained mom and her two-year-old daughter. The family was in imminent danger of being deported back to violence, and I wanted to help the family fight that. I pored over the family’s story and crafted a legal argument for their release.
It was the most meaningful thing that I did that semester. Up to that point, law school had felt like an ivory tower full of highbrow rhetoric that was completely divorced from my experiences as an immigrant of color.
ASAP grounded me. It gave me a passion that I could hold onto. When I learned a few weeks later that the family was released, I realized I had found my calling: providing legal services to underserved immigrants. Since then, I have continued to work with fellow immigrants, including through ASAP, and I won’t be stopping anytime soon.”
Latest News
How to provide legal aid remotely
During these turbulent times, ASAP is continuing to work on behalf of asylum seekers and helping other organizations and legal…
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Mom Takes Control of Her Case
Alejandra got her asylum case on track after joining one of ASAP’s online communities and accessing our resources and legal…
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Guest Post: Applying for Asylum
Macy is a member of our online community for asylum-seeking mothers. She wrote this post to share with other mothers…
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Guest Post: Volunteering in Texas
Hannah Duncan is an ASAP volunteer and a student at Yale Law School. Hannah and other students traveled to San…
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Immigration Court Video Series
ASAP has released a four part video series about how to navigate the immigration court process. The Spanish-language videos are…
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Guest Post: Getting a Work Permit
Mirna is a member of our online community for asylum-seeking mothers. She wrote this post to share with other mothers…
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Family Wins 4-Year Legal Battle
Yolanda and her son are no longer living in fear of imminent deportation, after reversing their deportation order with the…
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Lessons from the Mexico-U.S. Border
Earlier this month, ASAP’s Legal Emergency Room (Legal ER) team – Dennise Moreno, Nicole Tan, and Liz Willis – traveled…
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ASAP Fights Proposed DHS Rule
ASAP is fighting government efforts to make it impossible for asylum seekers to work in the United States. The Asylum…
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Family Closer to Reunification
This summer, ASAP took on the challenge of bringing Leticia back from Guatemala and reuniting her with her son. Leticia…
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ASAP Becomes Standalone Nonprofit
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is excited to announce that we are now an independent nonprofit organization! In July…
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Mother Overturns Deportation Order
Naomi and her children are no longer living in fear of detention and imminent deportation. Now they can present their…
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ASAP Staff Retreat in Alabama
Last week the ASAP team traveled to Alabama for a wonderful staff retreat. During the retreat, we spent quality time…
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Hearings in Two States in Same Week
The government expected Luz to appear in two different immigration courts thousands of miles apart – in the same week….
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ASAP Grows Systemic Reform Team
ASAP has expanded its Systemic Reform department in response to evolving immigration crises, welcoming two new staff members to…
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ASAP Staff Spotlight: Daniela
We are excited to introduce Daniela Rodriguez as the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project’s (ASAP) Executive Assistant! Daniela migrated to the…
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Victory in Legal ER
Zulema accessed emergency legal aid and averted deportation for herself and her family. We met Zulema in our online community…
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Response to Threat of Raids
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) responded to the threat of immigration raids on asylum seekers this summer. ASAP quickly…
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ASAP Staff Spotlight: Marilyn
We are excited to introduce Marilyn E. Alvarado, ASAP’s new litigation paralegal! Marilyn is a native New Yorker who has…
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ASAP Sues to Stop Deportations
ASAP joined with three other legal services organizations in suing the government to stop the deportations of thousands of asylum…
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ASAP Launches New Online Community
ASAP is excited to announce the launch of a new online community for all Spanish-speaking adults who are seeking asylum…
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ASAP Intern Spotlight: Edith
This summer ASAP has been very grateful to host Legal Intern Edith Lerner, whose work has played in key role…
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Victory for Family Suing ICE and CBP
ASAP clients Suny Rodríguez and her minor son settled a first-of-its-kind federal lawsuit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)…
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Lawsuit for Reunited Families
For families separated at the border, reunification was only the first step towards safety and justice. These families now face…
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ASAP Staff Spotlight: Jasmina
We are very excited to introduce Jasmina Nogo, ASAP’s newest Staff Attorney! Jasmina came to the United States as a…
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Winning Asylum Against the Odds
ASAP represented Andrea in reopening her asylum case, after she received a deportation order. When Andrea first contacted ASAP in…
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Mom Represents Herself And Wins
Last month, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) helped Emily prepare a motion to move her case from Atlanta immigration…
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ASAP Staff Retreat in Chicago
The ASAP team convened in Chicago last week for an action-packed staff retreat. After a few in-person meetings and strategy…
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IRAP Litigation Partnership
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) and the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) are excited to announce our partnership to…
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ASAP Staff Spotlight: William
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
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is proud to be featured in Professor Lindsay Harris’s recent article in Clinical Law…
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Victory in Legal ER
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
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is proud to partner with the Mount Sinai Human Rights Program (MSHRP), a program…
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A Volunteer’s Week in Dilley
ASAP at Yale member, Hannah Duncan, traveled to the Mexico-U.S. border to provide assistance to families at the SouthTexas Family…
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Deportation Reversed for Family
After working with the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) to successfully reverse her deportation order, Maria shared: “I feel at…
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ASAP’s Second Annual Report
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has released our second Annual Report! ASAP’s online community member, Libia shared: “When I…
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ASAP Condemns New Border Rule
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) condemns the new interim final rule limiting the ways families fleeing violence can seek…
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Co-Founder Grows Policy Work
We are excited to announce the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) co-founder Conchita Cruz has received a two-year fellowship from…
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After Reunification, Fight Continues
Javier, an asylum-seeking father recently reunited with his child, said, “I was separated from my son who is seven years old,…
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ASAP Supporters Take Action
Two weeks ago, we called on our supporters to take a stand against the inhumane detention of immigrant children. This…
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ASAP Condemns Detention of Children
Last week the Trump administration proposed new regulations that would allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain immigrant…
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A Summer Fighting for Families
Through a difficult summer filled with heart-wrenching news and attacks against asylum seekers, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) was…
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Victory for Mother and Daughter
After receiving news of a victory in her case, Libia shared her reflections about navigating the immigration system: “I used…
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New Guide for Border Advocates
Access to an attorney while in detention could mean life or death for asylum-seeking families fleeing unspeakable violence. Since its…
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ASAP is Hiring
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
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has heightened attacks on asylum seekers and their families. In an effort to deter…
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ASAP Helps Client Find New Beginning
After fighting to reverse her deportation order, our client Andrea shared this message: “I am happy and grateful for…
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ASAP Co-Founders Speak Out
In response to the Trump administration’s recent policy changes, ASAP’s staff have spoken out on various publications and broadcast programs…
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ASAP Receives Outpouring of Support
In recent weeks, ASAP has been deeply grateful for the major outpouring of support. Thousands have donated, joined our mailing…
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ASAP Fellowship Sponsorship
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) at the Urban Justice Center seeks to sponsor law students and recent law school…
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ASAP Issues Policy Report
Did you know that 85% of the more than 24,000 asylum-seeking families ordered deported from July 2014 to November 2016…
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Reflections from ASAP’s Interns
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) was delighted to host three college interns this past semester—Ana Ribadeneira, Liana Wang, and…
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Mothers Build Strength in Community
Updated June 22, 2018 Our private online community is growing! The group has expanded by nearly 100 members this past…
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ASAP Welcomes New Staff
We are excited to welcome Evelyn Núñez and Nicole Tan as the newest additions to the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project…
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Client Wins Challenging Appeal
Four months after refusing to grant Cristina’s appeal and reverse her deportation order, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) has…
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ASAP Joins Greater Sum 2018 Cohort
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is excited to announce that we are now members of The Greater Sum Foundation’s…
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Diary from Baby Jail
Each year, law student volunteers from the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)’s chapter at Yale Law School travel to the…
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ASAP’s First Annual Report
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has released our first ever Annual Report! ASAP client Sandra says, “As someone who did…
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ASAP Seeks An Immigration Paralegal
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
Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) board member Michelle Mendez and co-founder Swapna Reddy write in the Chicago Tribune: “Last week,…
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#GivingTuesday Success
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is excited to announce that our #GivingTuesday campaign was a success! With your help,…
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ASAP Wins J.M.K. Innovation Prize
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has been named one of ten winners of the 2017 J.M.K. Innovation Prize! Awarded…
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Emergency Motions to Reopen Project
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is excited to announce a 96% win rate for our emergency motions to reopen…
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Raising Awareness in October
October has been a busy month as our co-founders presented at events and trainings for: the American Bar Association, Building…
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Client Fights Fraud, Inspires Others
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)’s client Luna fled to the United States after her siblings were murdered and she…
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Volunteer Profile: Joanne Lee
Volunteer Joanne Lee, Yale law student and Co-President of the YLS chapter of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) writes: “Near…
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ASAP Welcomes New Staff
We are excited to have co-founders Dorothy Tegeler and Liz Willis officially join our staff! Dorothy is joining the Asylum…
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Great Fundraising News
Thank you to the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Conant Family Foundation, and Echoing Green for supporting our work and helping the…
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Lawsuit Against ICE Moves Forward
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)’s client Suny Rodriguez sued the U.S. government for its mistreatment of her and her…
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Mother and Newborn Reunited
A few months ago, a woman reached out to us through the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)’s online community for…
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Asylum Win for North Carolina Family
Sandra and her father were mayoral candidates in Central America, when her father was murdered. After his murder, Sandra began…
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Student Reflection from Detention
Guest Post by Iva Velickovic, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) Volunteer Last Thursday, I practiced counting to ten with a…
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Op-Ed: Deportation Could Mean Death
Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) co-founders Conchita Cruz and Swapna Reddy published an op-ed in TIME highlighting the importance of…
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