IMMIGRATION

 Post -9/11 more than 2,500 South Asians have been detained on immigration charges. Many have been deported. The FBI and the INS are focusing on Brooklyn, where South Asians (Pakistanis & Bangladeshis) live and their businesses are based. The authorities are knocking on South Asian (Pakistanis & Bangladeshis) doors late at night, questioning the residents; searching their houses and arresting those they find to be undocumented immigrants. The police are raiding apartment buildings without even presenting a warrant. When knowledgeable people protest the officials go away.

It is in this context that it was felt that there is a special need in the immigrant community particularly the South Asian community for legal assistance and counseling and in response to this need, the Council of Peoples Organization (COPO) thought of starting its Immigrant American Rights Project (IARP).

IARP is a comprehensive, community-based effort to educate the immigrants and permanent residents about their Rights and at the same time to facilitate the process for attainment of citizenship and to promote civic participation in the immigrant community so as to foster peace and friendship between various ethnic communities. IARP includes free legal assistance to victims of hate crimes, and people under detention along with educating the community about its rights through its Know Your Rights Clinic. It would also provide service to individuals seeking to become U.S. citizens including free citizenship test preparation classes; and free legal training to volunteers from within the community to enhance organizational capacity to provide essential naturalization services and train them towards Know your rights program. It is COPO’s firm belief that knowing your rights, increased civic participation and naturalization are the first steps to community self-sufficiency and empowerment.

IARP consists of :

• Know Your Rights Clinics
• Legal Access
• Community Education

One legal clinic/workshop is organized every month ( usually on Fridays) in collaboration with Cyrus D. Mehta & Associates PLLC and The Legal Aid Society.

The Legal Clinics are FREE

Check for the forthcoming clinic/workshop dates. click here