AALDEF Announces Free Legal Clinics for Undocumented Youth on Obama’s New Immigration Policy

July 10, 2012 – On June 15, 2012, the Obama administration announced that it would grant “deferred action” status to undocumented youth who qualify for administrative relief. The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) will hold a series of legal clinics to provide free legal advice and representation to young people who qualify under this directive. These clinics will help to support the work of AALDEF’s undocumented Asian American youth group.

The first legal clinic will be at AALDEF’s office on Thursday, July 12, 2012 from 3pm – 7pm. Additional clinics will be scheduled in upcoming weeks.

“This new directive is a good first step,” said Bethany Li, staff attorney at AALDEF. “But for this policy to make any difference, undocumented Asian American youth need to understand its effect and continue to be at the forefront in asserting their rights. These legal clinics combined with the youth group will help to push the discussion around our immigration policy forward.”

AALDEF is also providing resources for undocumented youth on its website, including an in-depth set of FAQs on deferred action eligibility, which explains who qualifies for deferred action, and how this policy affects removal proceedings and encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

AALDEF is seeking pro bono assistance to staff our free legal clinics for undocumented youth. For more information, please contact staff attorney Bethany Li at 212 966-5932 ext 213 or [email protected].

The legal clinics are only open to youth who potentially qualify for deferred action status and are seeking legal advice. They are not open to the press.