Colorado Asylum Center

Our Mission

Emma Shinn — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 10:43:19 +0000

Our Mission

Our mission is to protect the rights of asylum seekers through zealous representation and advocacy.

We provide asylum seekers with education about their rights, information about the process of applying for protection in the United States, direct legal representation in some cases, and a chance for all asylum seekers to find a supportive community.

What We Do

We want every asylum seeker who requests protection from our community to experience a full and fair consideration of their application under our nation’s laws. In some cases, CAC will provide direct legal representation to asylum seekers before the immigration courts, federal courts, and administrative agencies. CAC organizes and sponsors pro bono legal services workshops to expand the availability of legal advice and services to more people who need the help of an attorney to move their own case forward, including asylum seekers who have had their deportation proceedings accelerated through the Family Unit Docket.

In addition to providing legal services directly to those who need them, CAC and its attorney volunteers also engage in advocacy on behalf of asylum seekers, urging our government representatives to take action to abandon inhumane policies and practices – including the “Migrant Protection Protocols” – in favor of improvements in law that will demonstrate our country’s commitment to due process and to providing protection to those whose lives and freedom are endangered by persecution. CAC collaborates with journalists and human rights advocates nationwide to educate our leaders and the public about the effects of unjust policies on real asylum seekers and their families.

Where We Work

You will find us everywhere you find asylum seekers! CAC endeavors to provide direct representation to asylum seekers before the immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the federal courts. We will also represent asylum seekers before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

We are physically located in Denver, Colorado. However, we will accept clients nationwide, including individuals and families who are being returned to Mexican border towns through the “Migrant Protection Protocols.”

Facts About Asylum Seekers

Emma Shinn — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 08:01:09 +0000

There are more than 800,000 pending cases before the United States immigration courts. Many are cases of those seeking asylum in the United States. Asylum seekers accounted for nearly half of the 305,899 new cases filed in 2018.
In our current political climate, asylum seekers are being denied a fair day in court to present their applications for protection. Between expedited processing of families seeking asylum, to the Migrant Protection Protocols and port courts, asylum seekers are being rushed through a process in appearance only, without access to counsel.
More than. 37,000 people have been forced into Mexico to wait to ask for asylum in the United States. These asylum seekers are in real danger; they are regularly kidnapped, raped, and extorted by criminals in Mexico, including Mexican government officials.
Access to counsel is vital in asylum cases. Asylum seekers are at least 5 times more likely to win asylum when represented. https://immigrationforum.org/article/fact-sheet-u-s-asylum-process/

Pro Bono Asylum Workshops

Emma Shinn — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 09:13:44 +0000

We offer monthly “Pro Bono Asylum Application Workshops” for families on the expedited “Family Unit Docket” at the Denver Immigration Court.

CAC and its attorney and community volunteers provide information and direct representation to asylum seekers who must complete Form I-589, Application for Asylum, which is the first step to request asylum. If an asylum seeker who is in removal (deportation) proceedings does not submit this form in English, he or she will be ordered deported from the United States.

Court Watch

Emma Shinn — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 09:11:14 +0000

CAC organizes and trains volunteers to observe hearings of asylum seekers assigned to the expedited “Family Unit Docket” at the Denver Immigration Court. The Court Watch Program collects data on observed violations of due process that asylum seekers are experiencing as a result of the Family Unit Docket.

Representing Asylum Seekers

Emma Shinn — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 09:08:42 +0000

Representing asylum seekers returned to Mexico under the “Migrant Protection Protocols” (“remain in Mexico” program).

More than 40,000 people who have expressed a fear of return to U.S. border officials have been placed into deportation proceedings and returned to Mexico to await their hearings in U.S. immigration courts. These asylum seekers are in terrible danger. Participants in the “Migrant Protection Protocols” have been kidnapped, raped, and extorted by criminals in Mexico, and have even been directly abused by Mexican government officials. CAC attorneys will provide legal services to these most vulnerable asylum seekers.

Teaching Young Children

Emma Shinn — Fri, 13 May 2016 08:42:56 +0000

The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional qualifications or credentials from a university or college. These professional qualifications may include the study of pedagogy, the science of teaching. Teachers, like other professionals, may have to continue their education after they qualify, a process known as continuing professional development. Teachers may use a lesson plan to facilitate student learning, providing a course of study which is called the curriculum.

A teacher’s role may vary among cultures. Teachers may provide instruction in literacy and numeracy, craftsmanship or vocational training, the arts, religion, civics, community roles, or life skills.

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”
― Malala Yousafzai

A teacher who facilitates education for an individual may also be described as a personal tutor, or, largely historically, a governess. In some countries, formal education can take place through home schooling. Informal learning may be assisted by a teacher occupying a transient or ongoing role, such as a family member, or by anyone with knowledge or skills in the wider community setting. Religious and spiritual teachers, such as gurus, mullahs, rabbis, pastors/youth pastors and lamas, may teach religious texts such as the Quran, Torah or Bible.

Teaching may be carried out informally, within the family, which is called homeschooling, or in the wider community. Formal teaching may be carried out by paid professionals. Such professionals enjoy a status in some societies on a par with physicians, lawyers, engineers, and accountants. A teacher’s professional duties may extend beyond formal teaching. Outside of the classroom teachers may accompany students on field trips, supervise study halls, help with the organization of school functions, and serve as supervisors for extracurricular activities. In some education systems, teachers may have responsibility for student discipline.Around the world teachers are often required to obtain specialized education, knowledge, codes of ethics and internal monitoring.

There are a variety of bodies designed to instill, preserve and update the knowledge and professional standing of teachers. Around the world many governments operate teacher’s colleges, which are generally established to serve and protect the public interest through certifying, governing and enforcing the standards of practice for the teaching profession.