Several hundred volunteers are needed to help over 200 asylum seekers get their applications completed in just one day. This legal clinic is a joint collaboration—the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, the Riverton Park United Methodist Church legal team, Colectiva Legal del Pueblo, and the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice Northwest. In light of the November elections, it's a meaningful way to spend MLK Day and to focus on Beloved Community on inauguration day. 

A legal clinic this large will require hundreds of volunteers in a variety of roles. Review the roles and sign-up below. The clinic will be at a site in SeaTac. To ensure the safety of the asylum seekers, all volunteers will receive more details once they sign up.

• Interpreters Spanish, Lingala, French or Portuguese interpreters with a high proficiency will work with a Form Filler and an asylum applicant to ensure that the applicant’s information is translated accurately. Interpreters must be patient and able to work in a noisy environment. Please complete this sign-up for interpreters.

• Form Fillers work with an asylum applicant to draft the asylum application. In most cases, you'll be partnered with an interpreter. Form Fillers can be immigration paralegals, non-immigration lawyers, law students, accredited representatives, or community members who have experience completing multiple I-589 applications. Form Fillers must be patient, detail-oriented and able to work in a noisy environment. Immigration attorneys will join you and the asylum seeker after an initial draft is completed. You must bring a laptop computer to the clinic. Sign-up for form fillers and you'll receive more details.

• General Assistance Volunteers handle many different roles (see below). Speaking Spanish, Portuguese or French will be helpful in some of these positions, but your proficiency does not have to be high. Please complete this sign-up for general volunteers and indicate which of the following role(s) you’re most interested in.
• Tech/ IT Support - Help with computer, printer, and copier set up, and troubleshooting throughout the day.
• Greeter - Welcome and engage participants waiting to enter. The ability to speak Spanish, French or Portuguese is helpful, but not required.
• Registration/ Check In - Volunteers in this role must have excellent organizational skills and high attention to detail. 
• Trackers - Volunteers in this role must have excellent organizational skills, high attention to detail and ability to work under pressure. These volunteers will keep track of applicants’ progress and attorney assignments.
• Verification Specialists will need high attention to detail and ability to work under pressure. These volunteers will review documents for signatures, accuracy and completeness.
• Runners - Accompany participants from one station to the next and/or distribute printed applications.
• Hospitality - Set up provided food and keep the break room stocked with snacks and beverages.
• Copying - These volunteers will need to be able to work under pressure and have high attention to detail.
• Exit/Checkout Station - Receive final copies of applicants’ forms to check completeness. Provide applicants with copies of finished documents and put original and copies in correct file boxes. Volunteers in this role must have excellent organizational skills and high attention to detail. The ability to speak Spanish, French or Portuguese will be helpful. 

The clinic will run from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Please plan to arrive promptly for a short orientation and registration at 8:30 a.m. Many volunteers will finish before 6 p.m., but please be available to stay all day if needed. Snacks, coffee, water and other beverages will be available, and pizza will be provided for lunch.

If you have initial questions, feel free to contact UUCer Pam Smith Mentz. Pam volunteered at several of the monthly legal clinics hosted during 2024 and will also be at this January 20 legal clinic.