For Immediate Release
Contacts: Debbie Smith, Immigration Advocates Network
Phone: (415) 394-0785 E-mail: dsmith@immigrationadvocates.org
Mark O’Brien, Pro Bono Net
Phone: (212) 760-2554 x480 Email: mobrien@probono.net
Immigrants’ Rights Organizations Launch New Site, Aiming to Promote Collaboration and Build Community
Immigration Advocates Network provides “one-stop resource” for advocates
NEW YORK (April 10, 2008) - The Immigration Advocates Network (IAN), a collaboration of leading immigrants’ rights organizations, announced the launch of its free website for non-profit advocates, organizers and service providers, www.immigrationadvocates.org.
IAN will promote more effective and efficient communication among existing immigration organizations by providing easily accessible and comprehensive online resources on a password-protected website. Features for legal service providers, organizers and public interest advocates include a library with manuals and sample materials; podcasts, videos and online trainings with immigration experts; a national calendar of trainings and events; timely news and alerts; and listservs on immigration law topics.
During the last decade, the foreign-born population of the U.S. grew significantly, with many of these new immigrants settling in rural areas without adequate legal services, and without adequate training, mentoring, and technical support for immigration advocates.
“By creating an online community of providers and advocates, including live access to online trainings and resources, IAN will help reduce isolation for programs in rural areas or areas with few providers,” said Mark O’Brien, Pro Bono Net Executive Director.
IAN’s first phase will include information on family-based immigration, immigration and crimes, naturalization, raids, driver’s licenses, and immigration program management.
IAN is “the best one-stop resource on the web for non-profit lawyers, organizers and advocates committed to the defense of immigrants,” said Ira Kurzban, author of the renowned Immigration Law Sourcebook and one of the most prominent litigators in the field.
Leveraging a technology platform developed by Pro Bono Net, which is used to support broad-based networks of legal aid, civil rights and pro bono lawyers, IAN represents an innovative model for disseminating immigration-related content and advocacy tools to nonprofit practitioners across the country.
“By using new technology, IAN brings the advocacy community into the 21st century with critical tools, information and coordination,” said Lucas Guttentag, Director of the Immigrants’ Rights Project of the ACLU. “IAN will enormously enhance our collective efforts to protect the rights of low income immigrants.”
IAN’s partners include the ACLU Immigrant’s Rights Project, the ABA Commission on Immigration, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Foundation, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, the National Immigration Law Center, the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, Pro Bono Net and the Advocates for Human Rights. Funding for IAN is partly provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
IAN invites non-profit advocates, organizers and legal service providers to join by registering at www.immigrationadvocates.org.
About Pro Bono Net
Pro Bono Net (www.probono.net) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to justice through innovative uses of technology and increased volunteer lawyer participation. Pro Bono Net's platforms have been adopted in 30 states and regions, reaching approximately two-thirds of the poverty population and lawyers in the United States. For more information, please visit www.probono.net.