Border BLAST will send a group of students to the U.S./Mexico border to work with a grassroots partner organization that provides free legal and social services to individuals seeking their rights. In the past, we have worked with Al Otro Lado at the San Diego/Tijuana border, the Karnes Pro Bono Project (RAICES) and the Dilley Project both at the South Texas/Mexico border, and the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project at the Arizona/Mexico border. The Border BLAST trip this year is still finalizing its partner organization, but it is likely that students will work with one of the partner organizations we have collaborated with in past years. We are also conducting outreach to other highly respected legal organizations that focus on immigration and border issues such as the Legal Aid Society of San Diego and Las Americas in Texas.
Every year, thousands of people are detained by the Department of Homeland Security. The children primarily come from Central America, while the adults come from many different countries around the world. Many of them travel to the United States seeking protection from violence and persecution in their home countries. Having language barriers, little understanding of U.S. law and court procedures, and limited financial resources, they face tremendous obstacles to winning immigration relief.
The work law students will have the opportunity to engage in may include: conducting legal intakes, participating in group workshops, completing country condition’s research, preparing applications for asylum, and other direct representation. There will also be networking opportunities with Berkeley alumni and immigration attorneys.
Time Commitment: The time commitment would be approximately 40 hours for the entire trip. Prior to our trip, we anticipate having a training session and monthly one-hour BLAST meetings to get to know one another and go over logistical information for the trip.
For more information, please contact the student leaders at borderblast@berkeley.edu.