Many immigrants in removal proceedings face the harsh prospect of being deported from the United States because they cannot afford competent attorneys. Nationally, only 50% of immigrants are represented; for detained immigrants, just 16% have representation. In New Jersey, the number of detention beds totals about 2,350 — a 47% increase over 2011 — which means that thousands of immigrants are detained every year in the state.
On Friday, January 25, 2013, the Immigrant Rights Clinic at Rutgers School of Law–Newark will host a roundtable discussion titled “Building Justice: Increasing Quality Immigration Representation in New Jersey.” Topics to be covered include the gap in legal representation for immigrants and steps that should be taken to increase the capacity of legal service providers, promote pro bono representation, expand legal orientation and legal representation programs, and educate the public and government officials about these challenges.
There is no charge to attend but pre-registration is required. To register or if you have questions, contact Stephanie Robins at stephanie.robins@rutgers.edu.
The final program can be found here.
| What: | “Building Justice: Increasing Quality Immigration Representation in New Jersey” | |
| Who: | Confirmed Speakers: Dean John J. Farmer, Jr., Rutgers School of Law–Newark The Hon. Michael Chagares, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Juan P. Osuna, Director, Executive Office for Immigration Review Amy Gottlieb, American Friends Service Committee Mark Parry, American Immigration Lawyers Association, New Jersey Chapter Anju Gupta, Assistant Professor of Law and Director, Immigrant Rights Clinic, Rutgers School of Law–Newark Contributors to Roundtable Discussion: Catherine Weiss, Chair, Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest, and Partner, Lowenstein Sandler LLP Daniel Weiss, Esq., Law Offices of Daniel L. Weiss, LLC Eleanor Acer, Director, Refugee Protection Program, Human Rights First Elissa Steglich, Managing Attorney, Immigrant Rights Program, American Friends Service Committee Joanne Gottesman, Clinical Professor of Law and Director, Immigrant Justice Clinic, Rutgers School of Law–Camden Lawrence Lustberg, Director of the John J. Gibbons Fellowship in Public Interest and Constitutional Law; Chair, Criminal Defense, Gibbons PC Lori Nessel, Professor of Law and Director, Center for Social Justice, Seton Hall Law Morgan Alen, Pro Bono Coordinator, Kids in Need of Defense-Newark Oren Root, Director, Center on Immigration and Justice, Vera Institute of Justice Melissa Castro, Deputy Outreach Director for U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Newark office Robert C. Brady, Director, Gibbons P.C. Cindy K. Miller, Deputy Director, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Stacy Caplow, Professor of Law, Brooklyn Law School Raquiba Huq, Supervising Attorney, Immigration Project, Legal Services of New Jersey Foundation representatives and experts American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) members New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) members New Jersey law schools Attendees | |
| When: | 9 am – 2:00 pm, Friday, January 25, 2013 | |
| Where: | Rutgers School of Law–Newark |
The roundtable is co-sponsored by: American Friends Service Committee, City Bar Justice Center, Human Rights First, Kids in Need of Defense, Lowenstein Sandler LLP, Rutgers School of Law–Camden, Rutgers School of Law–Newark, and Seton Hall Law Center for Social Justice.