I'm looking for resources in the Washington, DC area that will help an
impoverished refugee 1)petition the us govt. for asylee status (I
think he needs a lawyer for this) and 2)resettle in the usa.  this
person plans to come to the USA on a visitor's visa for one month and
begin proceedings when he arrives. He does not have Priority 1 Status.  These
services must be free or as cheap as possible.  What are his options
in terms of cost and quality?

This kit (link below) which retails for $60 is specifically made for
do-it-yourselfers who wish to understand and apply for asylee status.
It contains statistics of recent asylee acceptances, all necessary
forms, and lists of contacts for embassies & consulates. You can call
us-immagration.com's phone number (800-814-1555) for more info on this
do it yourself kit. On top of this, I would contact your local
immigration office which may be able to provide contact info for
lawyers in your area who are willing to do pro bono (for free) work on
a case to case basis.


Additional Links:

Do-it-yourself Asylee Application Kit:
http://www.us-immigration.com/store/browse/showProduct/112


Search Strategy:

asylee:
://www.google.com/search?q=asylee


If you have any further questions please feel free to clarify your
question and I will respond as soon as possible. Thank you and good
luck!
skermit-ga

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Request for Answer Clarification by hotsocks-ga on 22 May 2002 06:09 PDT

That's one option.  However, I need all the pro bono/cheap options in
the area. i.e., services and organizations.

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Clarification of Answer by skermit-ga on 22 May 2002 11:50 PDT

Yesterday, larre-ga listed a couple good contacts in the D.C. area for
pro bono work, but here is a directory which can supplement that list.
Here's a list compiled by dcbar.com which lists law firms and advice
clinics which participate in their pro bono directory. They should
give you the help and advice you need. Clarify if you need more help
and I will be glad to answer!
skermit-ga

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Clarification of Answer by skermit-ga on 22 May 2002 13:13 PDT

Oops... here's the list:

DCBar.org's Pro Bono List:
http://www.dcbar.org/pro_bono/lawlist.html

I wanted to know all the inexpensive resources available in my area. 
Instead I got a link to a do-it-yourself kit and a list of lawyers. 
Seems like a one dollar response to a 10 dollar question.

The following addresses, telephone numbers and a website link for
Legal Aid programs in the Washington D.C. area might also be useful.
Many legal aid programs offer professional legal services to those who
could not otherwise afford them.

DC Law Students In Court
806 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 371-9224

DC Law Students In Court Program
806 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 638-4798

Neighborhood Legal Services Program 
1213 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington, DC 20020 
(202) 678-2000

Neighborhood Legal Services Program
701 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 682-2700

http://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/center/spec_services/immigration.html

~Larre-ga

I need to caution that you, as well as your refugee friend,
  should consider ethics and legality of such a plan.

  It used to be known among potential immigrants that one
  'should play it straight' with US government and say if he
  wants to visit or immigrate.

  It used to be  more dificult to get legal permanent residence once one
  arrived on the tourist visa. I belive one still has to state the
  purpose of the travel - in writing - and can be used against him.

  Things are not what they used to be (unfortunately) but still,
  the one agency to contact should be: UNHCR , UN agency which
  has task to protect refugees and which has program to resettle
  them and can issue so called 'stateless status' and passport.
  http://www.unhcr.ch

  The first agency should be one of the many organisation in country he is
  in, or country to which he escaped to prevent presecution.
   One such agency is www.ircsf.org/ the International Rescue Committee
  (IRC) is the leading nonsectarian, voluntary organization providing relief ..

  These agencies have relationship with US (non-gov) agencies which can
  sponsor a refugee to come to US. That is important, both legally and
  for practical reasons too. (Of course, you can sponsor him/her yourself).

  The religious groups too (here and abroad) have groups who deal with this
  - I would start there - rather then with looking for a lawyer.
   It does take experience and good relations with INS to do it right.
 need to metion that you, as well as your refugee friend
  should consider ethics and legality of such a plan.

  It used to be known among potential immigrants that one
 'should play it straight' with US government and say if he
 wants to visit or immigrate.

   It used to be  more dificult to get legal permanent residence once one
   arrived on the tourist visa. I belive one still has to state the
    purpose of the travel - in writing.

     Things are not what they used to be (unfortunately) but still,
 the one agency to contact should be: UNHCR , UN agency which
    has task to protect refugees and which has program to resettle
    them and can issue so called 'stateless status' and passport.
    http://www.unhcr.ch