AZ Law May Further Strain Immigration Courts

From a June 10, 2010 article in the Arizona Business Gazette:   “Arizona's impending crackdown on illegal immigrants has the potential to overwhelm the state's court system with criminal and civil cases once enforcement begins, a group of Arizona immigration attorneys said. They warned that, without accompanying immigration reform to make the rules more practical and practicable, enforcement of SB-1070 could triple the number of cases almost overnight, with no additional court staffing or funds to accommodate them.” Appleseed shares the concerns of these immigration attorneys in regards to the overcrowding of the immigration court system. In June 2009, the national office of Appleseed collaborated with Chicago Appleseed to produce Assembly Line Injustice, a report calling attention to the overwhelming caseloads Immigration Judges are asked to handle. Even now, Immigration Judges have less than two hours on average to review each case file, conduct a hearing and render a potentially life-altering decision. We heard repeatedly from our interviewees that the judges simply do not have the time to conduct a full hearing and are not able to review the facts of the cases very closely. The system is already stretched past its limit and the accuracy and legitimacy of these decisions are questionable as it stands. A flood of new cases from SB 1070 would only add to the strain on our over-worked and understaffed courts. We also fear that the law will codify racial profiling, weaken local law enforcement and threaten public safety. For all of these reasons, Appleseed has called for a repeal of the Arizona immigration law. Please read our full statement for details.

Pro Bono Institute Webinar

I recently joined two of Appleseed's leading pro bono partners, Jim Rogers and Steve Schulman, in conducting an online seminar on pro bono policy advocacy. Hosted by the Pro Bono Insitute, the webinar offered participants a comprehensive look at the value of, and best approaches to, this work. The presentation included, among other things, tips on how to initiate and manage policy advocacy projects while highlighting Appleseed's successful methods and model. For a small fee, you can download the webinar here on the Pro Bono Institute website, or you can view the presentation outline for free here!

Support Appleseed with Project Dogpatch! I am pleased to announce an innovative new way to support our social justice programs: “Project Dogpatch!” Few financial portfolios have escaped the financial crisis unscathed, with some stock holdings hovering at historic lows. But these “dog” stocks, when donated to Appleseed in sufficient numbers, can amount to substantial funding for our efforts, particularly as the market improves. Meanwhile, these donations are also eligible for a charitable deduction on your 2009 tax return. The economic downturn has exacted a heavy toll on all segments of society, but stock holdings that have tanked during the crisis can now help its most vulnerable victims: those served by Appleseed’s reforms, particularly the working poor, kids in heavily minority school districts and immigrants. And of course, while Appleseed is pleased to take these "dogs" off your hands, all stock donations are welcome. Stocks that have appreciated over the year, when donated to Appleseed, are also tax deductible. Consult your tax advisor for specific tax treatment of your stock donations to Appleseed. To donate stock to Appleseed, please contact our development office at 202.347.7973 to let us know of any stock transfers so donors can be recognized!

Creating a Pro Bono Culture in Mexico Over the past several months, headlines emanating from Mexico have been overwhelmingly distressing, with the country tragically crippled by warfare among drug cartels and between those cartels and the government. By way of counterpoint, I am proud to point out some very positive work being done on the country’s behalf, piloted by some of its leading attorneys and citizens, and reinforced by lawyers and advocates on the U.S. side of the border. For years now, Appleseed has dedicated itself to fostering civic engagement, social justice, and a robust nonprofit sector in Mexico – just as it has done here in the United States. About 100 attorneys and firms have signed up to do pro bono work; dozens of projects are underway or completed; and cross-border initiatives are benefitting both Mexicans in Mexico and Mexican expatriates in the U.S. One striking example is the opening up of doors to financial institutions and capital. Our efforts and those of other social entrepreneurs will be discussed at an April 1 symposium presented by Appleseed and American University’s Washington College of Law, entitled “Creating a Pro Bono and Philanthropic Culture in Mexico.” The panels will be followed by a special evening reception co-hosted by the Embassy of Mexico and sponsored by Coca-Cola and The Raben Group. We invite all to attend in support civic activism and the pro bono spirit! Please follow this link for further details. Public interest efforts like ours – creating and sustaining a network of lawyers and other professionals dedicated to promoting civic engagement and social justice – are no substitute for domestic peace and safety, but they go a long way in ensuring that the rule of law ultimately prevails. By helping Mexico to develop a culture dedicated to justice and opportunity for all, Appleseed firmly believes that today’s violence will not be the dominant story in years to come, but rather, that ever-increasing prosperity, hope, and dedication to the rule of law permeate one of America’s closest neighbors. Perhaps that time is a long way off, but our work indeed serves as a crucial stepping stone.

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