Thursday, August 9, 2012

Network launches new website and announces free legal assistance


San Diego -  In response to the new program that provides relief for undocumented immigrant students, known as the Deferred Action for Child Immigrants (DACA), the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC) has formed the Dreamer Assistance Network (which consists of legal, faith and community based groups from throughout San Diego County) to inform, prepare and assist eligible youth to take advantage of this program.

Today, the Dreamer Assistance Network publicly launches its website: www.dreamerassistance.org.

The Network will assist undocumented youth by holding free informational forums, eligibility assessment events, and application assistance workshops in various locations throughout the county.   At all the events, immigration attorneys from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) will be present to provide information and answer questions

At the free application assistance workshops, AILA attorneys will also work with Network partners to assist eligible applicants in completing an application for DACA. In order to get assistance at the workshops, applicants MUST attend one of the eligibility assessment events on September 8th. 

  Upcoming events:

Friday, Aug 17 at 6-8 PM:  Information Forums on new DACA applicationThe Dreamer Assistance Network will host several community forums at which immigration attorneys will provide the most up-to-date information about the DACA application set to be released by USCIS two days earlier on August 15th.
    •    Everyone is invited but space may be limited, so come early to get your seat.
    •    Spanish interpretation will be provided.
    •    3 locations: Oceanside, San Diego, and National City
 
Saturday, Sep 8 at 9AM - 12PM:  Eligibility Assessment Events (required for workshops)
The Dreamer Assistance Network will host several events to assess the eligibility of potential DACA applicants, register the clearly eligible individuals for free application assistance workshops later in the month, and refer out others to qualified immigration attorneys for individual consultations.

Please note that those seeking application assistance at the workshops, MUST attend one of the eligibility assessment events. Eligible applicants will be registered for the workshop on a first come, first serve basis. Workshop registration is limited to 250 at each of the September workshops.
    •    Spanish interpretation will be provided.
    •    3 locations: Oceanside, San Diego, and National City

Saturday, Sep 15th at 9 AM - 3 PM:  Application Assistance Workshop in National City  
The Dreamer Assistance Network will host a free application assistance workshop at Sweetwater High School in National City for an estimated 250 people. Volunteers will assist applicants to complete the DACA application form, attach the required evidence, and prepare the application package for mailing. All applications will be reviewed by our legal team of AILA attorneys.
    •    The workshop is limited to applicants who registered at one of the September 8th Eligibility Assessment Events.
    •    In addition to being registered on the 8th, applicants will have to bring all of the required documents necessary to complete the application.
 
Saturday, Sep 22 at 9 AM - 3 PM:  Application Assistance Workshop in Oceanside  
The Dreamer Assistance Network will host a free application assistance workshop at
MiraCosta College Community Learning Center (CLC) for an estimated 250 people. Volunteers will assist applicants to complete the DACA application form, attach the required evidence, and prepare the application package for mailing. All applications will be reviewed by our legal team.
    •    The workshop is limited to applicants who registered at one of the September 8th Eligibility Assessment Events.
    •    In addition to being registered on the 8th, applicants will have to bring all of the required documents necessary to complete the application.

The Dreamer Assistance Network and San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium are powered by the Equality Alliance of San Diego County (soon to be called Alliance San Diego). For a full list of Dreamer Assistance Network partners, for more information on DACA, and to stay updated on our events, please visit www.dreamerassistance.org.

Contact: Ricardo Favela, (760) 659-3620

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