SAN FRANCISCO, CA– Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC) is pleased to announce its participation in the AILA DREAM Defenders (AD2), a pro bono program supporting undocumented young adults who are facing deportation. E4FC is one of seven organizations that have come together to match qualifying undocumented young adults with immigration attorneys who will provide legal services free of charge. The AILA DREAM Defenders program is a collaboration between E4FC, American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA), the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, the National Immigration Law Center, DREAM Activist, United We Dream, and the National Immigrant Youth Alliance, AD2 is the first national partnership of its kind.
For the past two years, E4FC has provided free, online legal analysis of possible immigration remedies and forms of deportation relief for DREAMers -- young immigrant adults ages 35 or under who would qualify for the proposed federal DREAM Act. DREAMers can go online and submit a comprehensive intake form, which is reviewed by E4FC’s team of attorneys, legal experts, and immigrant student team members. Through its Legal Services, E4FC has provided nearly 300 undocumented DREAMers nationwide with a thorough analysis of their possible immigration remedies.
E4FC recognizes that online services and written guides are not enough. “Most DREAMers come to us because they cannot afford an attorney and because they’re afraid to seek out help. They need someone whom they can trust,” says DREAMER Krsna Avila, who serves as E4FC’s Legal Services Manager. “This collaboration is exciting because we can better connect students with attorneys and organizations who will fight vigorously for their right to stay in the US.”
“President Obama says that Dream Act students aren’t being deported, but I hear about Dreamers who are being deported all the time,” says DREAMer Irving Pineda, who serves as E4FC’s Legal Services Intern. “DREAMers often don’t have money or information they need to get reputable legal assistance. I’m glad we’ll be able to help more students get the help they need to remain in this country.”
Despite a continuous conversation on the national level regarding the DREAM Act and how it would benefit America, Congress has yet to pass legislation. While that debate continues, undocumented young adults are facing deportation at record-high levels. For that reason, the AILA DREAM Defenders partnership will be in effect at least until the bill passes.
To qualify for relief under the DREAM Act, an individual must have come to the U.S. before turning 16-years-old and must be under the age of 35; he or she must have lived in the U.S. for at least five years and graduated from high school or passed an equivalency exam; additionally, he or she must have good moral character and must either attend college or enlist in the military for two years.
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The mission of Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC) is to help immigrant students realize the American dream of college and citizenship. E4FC provides scholarships, legal services, mentoring, and professional internships to immigrant students who have grown up in the United States but face challenges due to financial need and immigration status. Visit: e4fc.org. For more information specifically about E4FC’s Legal Services, please visit: e4fc.org/legalservices.html