Asylum Law

Since 1978, Human Rights First has worked to protect and promote fundamental human rights around the world. Human Rights First’s Refugee Protection Program assists indigent refugees from all backgrounds who have fled persecution on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, and who are seeking asylum in the United States.

Many of these asylum seekers are in urgent need of legal representation to assist them in asylum proceedings before immigration judges. Other asylum seekers need representation before the Asylum Office at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

On Tuesday, June 3, 2008, Human Rights First will sponsor a training seminar for attorneys interested in becoming volunteers with our asylum legal representation program. The seminar will take place at the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, located at 919 Third Avenue (between 55th and 56th Streets), New York, NY 10022. The training will begin promptly at 5:00 p.m. and will run until 7:30 p.m., with registration from 4:30 p.m. to 4:55 p.m. Two immigration judges, an asylum officer, a psychologist who has experience working with survivors of torture, and asylum program staff will speak on techniques of representing asylum applicants and recent developments in asylum law.

Application for CLE accreditation of this program in New York is currently pending.


The training is free of charge to all interested attorneys, and no prior experience in immigration law is necessary. Participants should RSVP to Elisabeth Centeno at centenoe@humanrightsfirst.org or 212-845-5291.

Human Rights First is a non-governmental organization which works to promote international human rights and refugee protection. Human Rights First’s Refugee Protection Program has played a leading role in advancing fairness and non-discrimination for those seeking political asylum in the United States. The Chairman of Human Rights First is William D. Zabel. Michael Posner is Human Rights First’s President, and Maureen Byrnes is the Executive Director.