Students from the UALR Bowen School of Law recently completed training for a unique volunteer opportunity with the Diocese of Little Rock’s Catholic Charities Immigration Services.

They will help respond to the need for volunteers to provide assistance when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) conducts en­forcement actions at Arkansas workplaces. Students will help Catholic Charities’ staff and attorney volunteers mobilize a team, set up a processing center, and establish intake procedures for determining the legal status of detained individuals.

“Our students have the chance to learn so much through their participation in this program,” said Kelly Terry, assistant professor and director of Pro Bono Opportunities. “They will receive training in basic immigration law, which is a growing practice field, as well as have the opportunity to learn and practice their client counseling and interviewing skills.”

Student volunteers will conduct intake interviews with clients, prioritize clients for assignment, refer clients to appropriate services, and coordinate with Catholic Charities’ staff and volunteer attorneys to provide services to clients.

Catholic Charities Immigration Services provides low-cost immigration counsel­ing and support services to families and individuals who are eligible for immigra­tion benefits, educates immigrants about their civil and legal rights, and advocates to ensure that immigrants are treated with dignity and respect regardless of legal status.

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