The immigration law clinic at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law is assisting the local Afghan community with weekly workshops assisting refugees in filing out humanitarian parole applications. More than 30 McGeorge students have provided assistance recently, all under the leadership of Blake C. Nordahl, Immigration Law Clinic Director; Staff Attorney Kishwer Vikaas; and Professor Emerita Julie Davies.
“Sacramento has one of the largest Afghan populations in the country — with thousands more estimated to arrive in the coming months,” Vikaas said. “Our clinic students have taken the lead in organizing assistance to our Afghan neighbors — from organizing clothing drives to fundraisers for filing fees to helping with legal services.”
Some of the largest Afghan communities, about 11,000 people, live in Sacramento, some 50 miles north of McGeorge School of Law’s location in Stockton, Calif. Clinic attorneys and students have been providing support to 12 families. Petitions for Humanitarian Parole have been filed on behalf of loved ones still in Afghanistan, and recently arrived refugees have also received assistance on behalf of the clinic. The clinic also is working with local non-profit organizations to arrange for asylum applications for the recent arrivals.
Humanitarian parole petitions require an affidavit of support from sponsors whose income exceeds the poverty limit by 100-125%. Without sponsors, a petition cannot be filed. The Office of Advancement is running fundraisers to help the clinic continue to provide pro bono legal support for refugees.
“Our students have been wonderful ambassadors for McGeorge,” Nordahl said. “This project is one of the hardest we have undertaken given the circumstances our clients and their families in Afghanistan are facing. But our students’ professionalism, empathy, and dedication have kept everyone motivated.”
