About
The Legal Access Services for Reunified Families (LASRF) program, provides legal information and advice to class members and qualifying additional family members of the Ms. L., et al. v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, et al., 18-cv-00428-DMS-AHG (S.D. Cal. Oct. 16, 2023) (“Ms. L Settlement Agreement”). The Ms. L Settlement Agreement tasks EOIR with ensuring legal access and orientation to Ms. L. Settlement Class members. To carry out this settlement mandate, the EOIR’s Office of Legal Access Programs contracted with Acacia to create the LASRF program. Through a network of legal service providers, the LASRF program provides legal consultations, information, and advice to Ms. L class members, and assists them in preparing for hearings and submitted immigration-related applications. The LASRF program also serves as a crucial gateway for connecting class members and qualifying additional family members with pro bono attorneys (to the extent available). Although not a substitute for counsel, LASRF program educates class members about how to navigate the immigration case process pro se.
In Our Network
Acacia subcontracts with nine legal service providers throughout the country in order to provide LASRF program services and pro bono case placement nationally.
Services
- Individual consultations and counseling are one-on-one sessions with unrepresented individuals where providers conduct individual consultations for individuals, give legal advice about the person’s immigration circumstances, and help the individual complete necessary motions and forms.
- Pro se workshops are interactive, classroom-like sessions. The workshops inform and assist small groups of unrepresented individuals in understanding the relevant laws and procedures to be followed in pursuing a particular form of relief or in understanding special procedures in place that may apply to their own legal situation. Practitioners are able to provide legal advice to participants.
- Pro bono placement occurs where a subcontractor refers a case to a pro bono (i.e., at no cost) attorney organization, firm, law school, or other partner for representation and receives confirmation that an engagement letter was signed between the attorney or accredited representative and client. LASRF providers also provide training and mentorship to pro bono attorneys who take on class members for representation.
- Friend of the Court services occur when as an individual or organization that participates in an immigration court proceeding to assist the court in its efforts to promote a fair and efficient process in which the respondent understands the proceedings and their rights and obligations to the greatest extent possible.