
CALENDAR OF EVENTS

VAAP Continuing Legal Education at VBA: Immigration Bond Practice 101
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PRESENTED BY VAAP
Immigration Bond Practice 101: Tools for Vermont Attorneys to Challenge ICE Detentions. Vermont lawyers showed up in force at the Vermont Lawyers March—now take the next step in helping Vermont legal services attorneys in bringing detained immigrants home. ICE routinely detains immigrants facing removal proceedings for no discernable reason and strategically isolates detainees in faraway detention centers, hoping they’ll give up on their meritorious applications and defenses and instead opt to self-deport. Vermont legal services attorneys are fighting back—filing Immigration Court motions for custody redeterminations and winning release. This 90-minute practical training will introduce you to immigration bond practice: how to challenge ICE detention and help reunite people with their families while their immigration cases move forward in court. Join this time-limited, high-impact effort! No prior immigration experience required, and no obligation to take on the full case after bond. Presented by attorneys from the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP). Register at https://www.vtbar.org/.

VAAP Weekly Case Rounds
Tuesday Mornings with VAAP. New, Simplified Case Rounds! Thanks to your feedback, we’ve simplified our case rounds schedule — no more alternating weeks or confusing changes! Starting now, every Tuesday on Microsoft Teams from 9-11AM:
🕘 9AM — Legal practitioners focus (attorneys, accredited reps, law students)
🕙 10AM — Lay advocates, volunteers, and community supporters focus
All are welcome at either or both sessions. General information only, not legal advice. Intros on arrival and no personally identifying information for clients, please. Come when you can, stay as long as you can, and no RSVP needed! As the National Lawyers Guild National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) remind us, building and engaging with communities of practice is the #1 way to ensure ethical, high-quality advocacy and to protect clients during this time. Thank you for helping us make immigration legal work more accessible, collaborative, and resilient!
________________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 299 027 927 804
Passcode: 7rM23u8L
For organizers: Meeting options
________________________________________________________________________________

Criminal-Immigration Law Intersections Continuing Legal Education (FREE)
CLE: Immigration Law for Criminal Defense Attorneys
Friday, June 20, 2025 | Timing to be confirmed between 12–4 PM | VLGS Burlington Office
This CLE is designed to equip federal and state public defenders, CJA panel members, and other criminal defense attorneys with foundational immigration law knowledge and practical tools to better serve noncitizen clients. Led by a cross-disciplinary team of immigration and defense attorneys, this training will cover key immigration consequences of criminal convictions, intake and referral strategies, and how evolving federal enforcement affects defense practice.

VAAP Weekly Case Rounds
Tuesday Mornings with VAAP. New, Simplified Case Rounds! Thanks to your feedback, we’ve simplified our case rounds schedule — no more alternating weeks or confusing changes! Starting now, every Tuesday on Microsoft Teams from 9-11AM:
🕘 9AM — Legal practitioners focus (attorneys, accredited reps, law students)
🕙 10AM — Lay advocates, volunteers, and community supporters focus
All are welcome at either or both sessions. General information only, not legal advice. Intros on arrival and no personally identifying information for clients, please. Come when you can, stay as long as you can, and no RSVP needed! As the National Lawyers Guild National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) remind us, building and engaging with communities of practice is the #1 way to ensure ethical, high-quality advocacy and to protect clients during this time. Thank you for helping us make immigration legal work more accessible, collaborative, and resilient!
________________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 299 027 927 804
Passcode: 7rM23u8L
For organizers: Meeting options
________________________________________________________________________________

VAAP Weekly Case Rounds
Tuesday Mornings with VAAP. New, Simplified Case Rounds! Thanks to your feedback, we’ve simplified our case rounds schedule — no more alternating weeks or confusing changes! Starting now, every Tuesday on Microsoft Teams from 9-11AM:
🕘 9AM — Legal practitioners focus (attorneys, accredited reps, law students)
🕙 10AM — Lay advocates, volunteers, and community supporters focus
All are welcome at either or both sessions. General information only, not legal advice. Intros on arrival and no personally identifying information for clients, please. Come when you can, stay as long as you can, and no RSVP needed! As the National Lawyers Guild National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) remind us, building and engaging with communities of practice is the #1 way to ensure ethical, high-quality advocacy and to protect clients during this time. Thank you for helping us make immigration legal work more accessible, collaborative, and resilient!
________________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 299 027 927 804
Passcode: 7rM23u8L
For organizers: Meeting options
________________________________________________________________________________

VAAP Weekly Case Rounds
Tuesday Mornings with VAAP. New, Simplified Case Rounds! Thanks to your feedback, we’ve simplified our case rounds schedule — no more alternating weeks or confusing changes! Starting now, every Tuesday on Microsoft Teams from 9-11AM:
🕘 9AM — Legal practitioners focus (attorneys, accredited reps, law students)
🕙 10AM — Lay advocates, volunteers, and community supporters focus
All are welcome at either or both sessions. General information only, not legal advice. Intros on arrival and no personally identifying information for clients, please. Come when you can, stay as long as you can, and no RSVP needed! As the National Lawyers Guild National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) remind us, building and engaging with communities of practice is the #1 way to ensure ethical, high-quality advocacy and to protect clients during this time. Thank you for helping us make immigration legal work more accessible, collaborative, and resilient!
________________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 299 027 927 804
Passcode: 7rM23u8L
For organizers: Meeting options
________________________________________________________________________________

VAAP Continuing Legal Education at VBA: Employment-based immigration for workforce development and removal defense
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION CO-PRESENTED BY VAAP
Employment-based Immigration: A Tool for Workforce Development and Removal Defense. Employment-based immigration tools aren’t just for corporate clients. In this advanced session, Vermont Bar Association Immigration Section Co-Chairs explore how employment pathways can intersect with humanitarian cases and removal defense strategies. From leveraging work-based visas for clients in removal proceedings to creative alternatives to employment authorization, this CLE will provide practical insights for expanding your advocacy toolbox. Ideal for practitioners ready to think outside the box and collaborate across immigration law subfields. Presented by Becky Fu von Trapp, Esq., founder of Von Trapp Immigration Law, who specializes in employment-based immigration, guiding Vermont employers and global talent through work visa and permanent residency processes; and Jill Martin Diaz, Esq., Executive Director, Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP), who focuses on humanitarian immigration law and removal defense. Register at https://www.vtbar.org/.

American Immigration Lawyers Association FREE Cross-Cultural Lawyering Webinar
Cross-Cultural Client Representation (Elimination of Bias Credit)
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
FREE to Register and Co-Sponsored by Several AILA Chapters including AILA New England
Webinar speakers. David Wilks, Immigration Partner; Yasmin Blackburn, Immigration Attorney; Brittany Faith, Immigration Attorney; Petula McShiras, Immigration Attorney; Miki Matrician, Immigration Attorney
Agenda. Inclusivity is essential to success as an immigration lawyer, but implementing inclusivity in real life can be difficult. Panelists will provide tips on how best to build confidence and trusting relationships with clients from different cultures, navigate the immigration system, and celebrate America’s diversity. Topics include:
-Confronting and eliminating inappropriate or biased remarks in the office
-Making the client experience accessible to all: from your website to your services
-Bridging your client’s cultural viewpoint to the rigid guidelines of the U.S. government and addressing potential biases by the government
-Demonstrating techniques to address biases during client representation and meeting them where they are
-Understanding your client’s culture to improve your services

VAAP Weekly Case Rounds
Tuesday Mornings with VAAP. New, Simplified Case Rounds! Thanks to your feedback, we’ve simplified our case rounds schedule — no more alternating weeks or confusing changes! Starting now, every Tuesday on Microsoft Teams from 9-11AM:
🕘 9AM — Legal practitioners focus (attorneys, accredited reps, law students)
🕙 10AM — Lay advocates, volunteers, and community supporters focus
All are welcome at either or both sessions. General information only, not legal advice. Intros on arrival and no personally identifying information for clients, please. Come when you can, stay as long as you can, and no RSVP needed! As the National Lawyers Guild National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) remind us, building and engaging with communities of practice is the #1 way to ensure ethical, high-quality advocacy and to protect clients during this time. Thank you for helping us make immigration legal work more accessible, collaborative, and resilient!
________________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 299 027 927 804
Passcode: 7rM23u8L
For organizers: Meeting options
________________________________________________________________________________

VAAP Continuing Legal Education at VBA: What Every Lawyer Should know About Immigration
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION CO-PRESENTED BY VAAP
Immigration Law 101: What Every Vermont Lawyer Should Know in 2025. Immigration law touches every practice area—from family law to employment, criminal defense to municipal governance—but few Vermont attorneys feel equipped to answer basic questions for their clients. Join the Vermont Bar Association’s newly appointed Immigration Section Co-Chairs for an accessible overview of the U.S. immigration system, with plain-language explanations of current hot topics, common client scenarios, and practical referral guidance. This session is designed for non-immigration practitioners seeking to better understand how immigration issues intersect with their work. Presented by Becky Fu Von Trapp, Esq., founder of Von Trapp Immigration Law, who specializes in employment-based immigration, guiding Vermont employers and global talent through work visa and permanent residency processes; and Jill Martin Diaz, Esq., Executive Director, Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP), who focuses on humanitarian immigration law and removal defense. Register at https://www.vtbar.org/.

Scenario and Action Planning in Times of Crisis
Scenario and Action Planning in Times of Crisis
Date/Time
Date(s) - June 5, 2025,1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Fee: $40, Register at: Register Below (scroll down)
Nonprofits are slowly learning how the current administration’s actions will impact their services, funding, and ability to achieve their mission. Navigating this uncertainty can be challenging, but utilizing scenario planning allows organizations to build resilience by identifying potential responses and adapting strategically as federal policies evolve. In this training, participants will learn basic steps in scenario planning and will explore how to use the planning process in a hands-on activity.
The first 30 minutes of this 90-minute training will go through:
How to explore external factors impacts on programming, operations, and funding.
How to prioritize factors contributing to the most likely and worst-case impacts.
And how to determine actions you can take to reduce negative impacts and risks.
In the remaining time, participants will have the opportunity to work in pairs to use these tools for their own organization. The session will end with Q&A.
Why participate?
Equips your organization with a framework to navigate uncertainty in an organized process, leading to actions that your organization can take now or later to reduce negative impacts and risks.
Empowers an organization’s staff and board to see what they can and/or should be doing now to build flexibility and resilience in the face of uncertainty.
What will you get from the training?
Simple, four sets of questions to use to explore scenarios for your nonprofit.
Tools to use to document responses to the questions and the ‘plan’.
Opportunity to practice using the tools with colleagues from other organizations.
A draft plan for your organization.

VPIRG & 50501 Community Activism Virtual Training
In Vermont's second mass immigration enforcement incident, 10 construction workers were detained on Friday in Newport. They were brought to the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans. Just last month, eight migrant workers were detained at a dairy farm in Berkshire -- half of them have already been deported.
Things are moving fast, even here in Vermont, and it's more important than ever that we stand up to the injustices happening within our communities. It's easy to disconnect from the onslaught of bad news, but I find that coming together often brings a renewed sense of hope and energy that we'll all need to succeed in this movement.
That's why I want to remind you about our No Kings Day Rally events coming up -- so we can show once more that we're one brave little state that refuses to back down.
Join us this Thursday, June 5 from 12 - 1pm for a community activism training on Zoom featuring ACLU of Vermont, 50501 Vermont, Representative Esme Cole, and VPIRG. You'll leave this free virtual training with information about:
Rally participation and details
Your legal protest rights
Safety and de-escalation strategies
Holding leaders accountable
Defending democracy and taking action
Whether you plan to join the No Kings Day Rally or not, this training webinar will offer you valuable tools sure to come in handy at future events.

National Immigration Project: Understanding Federal Court Decisions
NEW community defender training from the National Immigration Project (details below) -
⚖️ Understanding Federal Court Decisions
You may have seen a flurry of headlines over the past few months discussing immigration cases making their way through the federal courts. But what do these cases mean for you? Why does it seem that the same issue results in different decisions from different courts? What is the law where you are? This National Immigration Project training will help you understand the federal court system, teach you key vocabulary, and provide updates on two major current issues in immigration law: the Alien Enemies Act and third country deportations.
This training will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 form 1:30 am - 3:30 pm (PT) | 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm (ET). Learn more and register here.

VAAP Weekly Case Rounds
Tuesday Mornings with VAAP. New, Simplified Case Rounds! Thanks to your feedback, we’ve simplified our case rounds schedule — no more alternating weeks or confusing changes! Starting now, every Tuesday on Microsoft Teams from 9-11AM:
🕘 9AM — Legal practitioners focus (attorneys, accredited reps, law students)
🕙 10AM — Lay advocates, volunteers, and community supporters focus
All are welcome at either or both sessions. General information only, not legal advice. Intros on arrival and no personally identifying information for clients, please. Come when you can, stay as long as you can, and no RSVP needed! As the National Lawyers Guild National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) remind us, building and engaging with communities of practice is the #1 way to ensure ethical, high-quality advocacy and to protect clients during this time. Thank you for helping us make immigration legal work more accessible, collaborative, and resilient!
________________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 299 027 927 804
Passcode: 7rM23u8L
For organizers: Meeting options
________________________________________________________________________________

VAAP to Host Urgent Training for Legal Volunteers Assisting ICE Detainees Today at 8:00AM
MEDIA ADVISORY: May 30, 2025
VAAP to Host Urgent Training for Legal Volunteers Assisting ICE Detainees Today at 8:00AM
WHAT: The Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP) is urgently hosting an informal virtual training this morning for pro bono attorneys, legal workers, and interpreters interested in providing volunteer legal orientation and screening to ICE detainees currently held in Vermont correctional facilities. Members of the press and allied organizations are welcome to RSVP to observe the training as VAAP prepares to deploy volunteer legal teams statewide.
WHEN: Friday, May 31, 2025 from 8:00–9:30 AM ET
WHERE: Join the MS Teams meeting now (ID: 250 713 468 513 7; email info@vaapvt.org for passcode) or dial in by phone +1 323-433-2356,,108568444# with passcode108 568 444#.
WHY NOW: ICE detained 11 construction workers near Newport yesterday, and an additional seven ICE detainees were transferred today from Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility to Burlington Airport. VAAP confirmed that ICE detainees are now being held in multiple Vermont facilities with extremely limited access to interpreters and legal advice. Immediate legal screening and Know Your Rights support are urgently needed.
DETAILS:
This is an informal training intended to orient legal volunteers to detention-based immigration legal support.
Participants are welcome to drop in and out as needed but will be asked to introduce themselves in the chat to maintain a secure space.
The training will be recorded and shared with attendees.
VAAP is coordinating with the Vermont Department of Corrections and the Legal Defense bar to clarify procedures for smooth and effective legal visitation.
Media Access: Journalists interested in observing the training or learning more about VAAP’s detention support response may RSVP by emailing info@vaapvt.org.
Witness footage and photos of recent ICE transfers are available upon request. Learn more at www.vaapvt.org.

Pride Center VT 25th Annual Gala & Silent Auction
VAAP hopes to see partners and client communities on Thursday (5/29) for the Pride Center's 25th Annual Gala & Silent Auction.
There will be a table of Vermont Queer Law and Policy Professionals/VAAP folks there - come join us! You can get tickets & start bidding on items here.
The Pride Center is facing serious cuts to their HIV services funding and needs our community's support. If you're not able to make it in person, you can still donate or bid on any of the auction items online up until 7:30pm on Thursday night.
There's something for everyone: spa packages, children's birthday packages, restaurant gift cards, XC ski passes, tattoos, gardening help, cooking classes, and so, so much more!
A deep thank you to everyone who is stepping up for our queer hub in this moment of challenge.

Common Good VT: De-escalation Training for frontline workers
De-Escalation Strategies for Front-Line and Office Staff: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Safer Workplaces
Date/Time
Date(s) - May 29, 2025
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Fee: $40
Register at: Register Below (scroll down)
In today’s workplaces, both front-line and office staff are increasingly encountering high-stress interactions that can quickly escalate. Whether dealing with upset clients, visitors or colleagues, having the tools to respond calmly and effectively is essential—not just for nonprofit staff but also their organization to compassionately and safely support folks in crisis.
Join us for an interactive and practical webinar designed to equip staff at all levels with de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed care principles, and policy recommendations that support a safer, more compassionate workplace.
In this webinar, participants will learn:
Core de-escalation techniques tailored to front-line and office settings
The impact of trauma on behavior and communication—and how to respond with empathy
Strategies to regulate one’s own stress response in challenging situations
How to create safer physical and emotional spaces for both employees and clients
Practical policy ideas for fostering a culture of safety, dignity, and accountability
Who Should Attend:
Front-line staff, administrative and office workers, HR professionals, supervisors, and anyone interested in improving communication, reducing workplace conflict, and building trauma-informed practices into everyday work.

VAAP Weekly Case Rounds
Tuesday Mornings with VAAP. New, Simplified Case Rounds! Thanks to your feedback, we’ve simplified our case rounds schedule — no more alternating weeks or confusing changes! Starting now, every Tuesday on Microsoft Teams from 9-11AM:
🕘 9AM — Legal practitioners focus (attorneys, accredited reps, law students)
🕙 10AM — Lay advocates, volunteers, and community supporters focus
All are welcome at either or both sessions. General information only, not legal advice. Intros on arrival and no personally identifying information for clients, please. Come when you can, stay as long as you can, and no RSVP needed! As the National Lawyers Guild National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) remind us, building and engaging with communities of practice is the #1 way to ensure ethical, high-quality advocacy and to protect clients during this time. Thank you for helping us make immigration legal work more accessible, collaborative, and resilient!
________________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 299 027 927 804
Passcode: 7rM23u8L
For organizers: Meeting options
________________________________________________________________________________

VAAP Co-Presents at Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers Conference
CARL is pleased to announce that registration is now open for CARL’s Spring 2025 conference, to be held on 23 May 2025 in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax. Zoom access will also be available to registrants who are unable to attend in person.
Conference details are set out below:
Date: 23 May 2025
Start: 7:30am (PDT) / 8:30 AM (MDT) / 10:30am (EDT) / 11:30 am (ADT)
End: 1:45 pm (PDT) / 2:45 pm (MDT) / 4:45pm (EDT) / 5:45 pm (ADT)
VAAP Panel: Updates affecting refugee law and refugee lawyers in the USA. 3:15-4:45 (EDT)
Moderated by U.S./Canadian attorney Anne-Cecile Khouri-Raphael
Featuring U.S. attorneys
Nicole Johnson (Deputy-Attorney in Charge, Immigration Law Unit – Legal Aid Society New York),
Jill Martin Diaz (Executive Director, Vermont Asylum Assistance Project), and
Andrea Saenz (Senior Counsel, Cocounsel.org and former Immigration Judge of the Board of Immigration Appeals).

Family Room: Noche De Papeleo
The Family Room te invita a una Noche de Papeleo el Mierocoles, 21 de Mayo localizado por 20 Allen Street, Burlington.
Alli se podria:
Aplicar por seguro medico, asistencia financial, citas medicas o dentales, asistencia comida, enlaces al distrito de escuela, la guarderia, etc.
Pedir educacion sobre la migracion.
Cenar con su comunidad.
Evento Privado.
RSVP con Moira por 802-373-0738.

VAAP Weekly Case Rounds
Tuesday Mornings with VAAP. New, Simplified Case Rounds! Thanks to your feedback, we’ve simplified our case rounds schedule — no more alternating weeks or confusing changes! Starting now, every Tuesday on Microsoft Teams from 9-11AM:
🕘 9AM — Legal practitioners focus (attorneys, accredited reps, law students)
🕙 10AM — Lay advocates, volunteers, and community supporters focus
All are welcome at either or both sessions. General information only, not legal advice. Intros on arrival and no personally identifying information for clients, please. Come when you can, stay as long as you can, and no RSVP needed! As the National Lawyers Guild National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) remind us, building and engaging with communities of practice is the #1 way to ensure ethical, high-quality advocacy and to protect clients during this time. Thank you for helping us make immigration legal work more accessible, collaborative, and resilient!
________________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 299 027 927 804
Passcode: 7rM23u8L
For organizers: Meeting options
________________________________________________________________________________

VAAP Weekly Case Rounds
Tuesday Mornings with VAAP. New, Simplified Case Rounds! Thanks to your feedback, we’ve simplified our case rounds schedule — no more alternating weeks or confusing changes! Starting now, every Tuesday on Microsoft Teams from 9-11AM:
🕘 9AM — Legal practitioners focus (attorneys, accredited reps, law students)
🕙 10AM — Lay advocates, volunteers, and community supporters focus
All are welcome at either or both sessions. General information only, not legal advice. Intros on arrival and no personally identifying information for clients, please. Come when you can, stay as long as you can, and no RSVP needed! As the National Lawyers Guild National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) remind us, building and engaging with communities of practice is the #1 way to ensure ethical, high-quality advocacy and to protect clients during this time. Thank you for helping us make immigration legal work more accessible, collaborative, and resilient!
________________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 299 027 927 804
Passcode: 7rM23u8L
For organizers: Meeting options
________________________________________________________________________________

Know your rights: Info session for Trans and Queer immigrants
Join us for an online session on getting support and exercising your rights as Trans and Queer immigrants in Vermont. Co-hosted by Migrant Justice, Pride Center of Vermont, and Vermont Asylum Assistance Project.
(Over Zoom) Bilingual in Spanish and English
Pre-registration required
Or call 802-863-0003

VAAP Weekly Case Rounds
Tuesday Mornings with VAAP. New, Simplified Case Rounds! Thanks to your feedback, we’ve simplified our case rounds schedule — no more alternating weeks or confusing changes! Starting now, every Tuesday on Microsoft Teams from 9-11AM:
🕘 9AM — Legal practitioners focus (attorneys, accredited reps, law students)
🕙 10AM — Lay advocates, volunteers, and community supporters focus
All are welcome at either or both sessions. General information only, not legal advice. Intros on arrival and no personally identifying information for clients, please. Come when you can, stay as long as you can, and no RSVP needed! As the National Lawyers Guild National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) remind us, building and engaging with communities of practice is the #1 way to ensure ethical, high-quality advocacy and to protect clients during this time. Thank you for helping us make immigration legal work more accessible, collaborative, and resilient!
________________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 299 027 927 804
Passcode: 7rM23u8L
For organizers: Meeting options
________________________________________________________________________________

Vermont Lawyers March 2025
300+ Vermont Lawyers are Marching
…to demonstrate their commitment to protecting the Rule of Law and to underscore the central importance to American Democracy of insisting that federal agents and agencies follow the rule of law. If you would like to attend the rally and march, or you are an attorney in Vermont and you would like to add your name to our statement below, please RSVP. Lawyers attending are encouraged to wear black or dark blue “courthouse” attire, comfortable walking shoes, and to bring signs related to the Rule of Law.
Join us Saturday, May 3 at 12:00 PM. Chittenden Superior Court. 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT.
Lawyers gather at 12:00 PM. Lawyers and protestors will march north along Church Street to the Federal Courthouse on Elmwood Avenue, to a rally with speakers on the green at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, directly across from the Federal Courthouse.
Speakers: Leslie Black, Emcee; Harrison Stark, ACLU; David Silver, Criminal Defense Attorney. Honorable Charity Clark, Vermont Attorney General. Dawn Seibert, Immigration Attorney; Elizabeth Shackelford, Columnist and former Foreign Service Career Diplomat.
RSVP HERE

Bennington Community Know Your Rights
Bennington Know Your Rights
The Bennington County Multicultural Community Center (BCMCC) invites you to an in-person Know Your Rights Training provided by Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP) in collaboration with BCMCC, Bennington County Indivisible, and Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA). The training is Friday, May 2nd at 3pm, located at 120 Union St in Bennington. The training will be led by Jill Martin Diaz, Executive Director of VAAP. The training will cover the rights of citizens and the rights of those who are not yet citizens within the context of enhanced immigration enforcement. Jill will lead a Q&A discussion as part of the training. This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome and strongly encouraged to attend. This is an opportunity to become connected with a knowledgeable network of individuals who support our vulnerable community members during a time when our rights and freedoms are increasingly threatened.
Download and share WIDELY the flyer here and the social media post here.

VAAP Weekly Case Rounds
Tuesday Mornings with VAAP. New, Simplified Case Rounds! Thanks to your feedback, we’ve simplified our case rounds schedule — no more alternating weeks or confusing changes! Starting now, every Tuesday on Microsoft Teams from 9-11AM:
🕘 9AM — Legal practitioners focus (attorneys, accredited reps, law students)
🕙 10AM — Lay advocates, volunteers, and community supporters focus
All are welcome at either or both sessions. General information only, not legal advice. Intros on arrival and no personally identifying information for clients, please. Come when you can, stay as long as you can, and no RSVP needed! As the National Lawyers Guild National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) remind us, building and engaging with communities of practice is the #1 way to ensure ethical, high-quality advocacy and to protect clients during this time. Thank you for helping us make immigration legal work more accessible, collaborative, and resilient!
________________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 299 027 927 804
Passcode: 7rM23u8L
For organizers: Meeting options
________________________________________________________________________________

"Understanding and Assessing legal risks in working with and serving immigrant communities""
Recent Department of Justice memos have introduced new threats of criminal prosecution targeting state and local officials, as well as individuals and organizations serving immigrant communities. This critical webinar will help people understand the current enforcement landscape and assess potential legal exposure in their work. Legal experts will discuss lessons learned from Texas, discuss specific federal statutes, past and current examples of federal prosecution and provide practical frameworks for evaluating risk in your daily operations and programs. Join us to learn how to protect yourself and your organization while continuing to serve immigrant communities effectively.
Please contact Kgomotso Magagula at cnalaw@umn.edu

Refugee Shabbat: post-election, what are we most responsible for?
On Friday, February 28th, please join Rabbi David Fainsilber and the rest of the congregation at the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe (JOGS) synagogue for a Refugee Shabbat and Tikkun Olam.
Please contact JOGS at (802) 253-1800 if you need support or would like additional information.

(Community) VAAP Service Providers Q&A
VAAP hosts virtual Q&A on the third Tuesday morning and last Thursday lunch of each month. All service VT providers seeking general information about the immigration legal system and how it interacts with your clients’ access to benefits and services are welcome to drop in and listen or participate. We will facilitate this series “clinic style,” meaning we will focus our time on fostering supportive, confidential, judgement-free, reflective, and ultimately action-oriented discussion. No RSVP necessary, come when you can, and no need to stay for the whole meeting. Just come prepared to introduce yourself as well as an anonymized version of your questions for engaging group discussion! Please note that VAAP is unable to provide legal advice during these meetings nor to accept requests for intake.
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 231 101 305 486
Passcode: L3udpF

(Legal) VAAP Legal Case Rounds
VAAP hosts monthly virtual case rounds with legal advocates on the third Thursday lunch and last Tuesday morning of each month. All attorneys and accredited representatives interested or currently representing humanitarian immigration status seekers in VT are welcome to participate! We facilitate this series “clinic style,” meaning we focus our time on fostering supportive, confidential, judgement-free, reflective, and ultimately action-oriented discussion of whatever case/project questions participants bring to the group. No RSVP necessary, come when you can, and no need to stay for the whole meeting. Just come prepared to introduce yourself as well as an anonymized version of your case/project questions for engaging group discussion!
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 211 986 285 707
Passcode: 4go4qN

*VOLUNTEERS NEEDED* VAAP Asylum Clinic
VAAP is seeking legal volunteers and language volunteers. Legal volunteers must willing to be trained online (~2.5 hours) and volunteer in person to help fill out asylum application USCIS form I-589 from 12:00pm-5:30pm this Friday (02/21). We are also seeking fluent Spanish/English interpreter volunteers who are willing to get trained online (~2hrs) and volunteer online or in person on interpretation for legal volunteers and their clients.
Please email jill@vaapvt.org to RSVP

(Legal) VAAP Legal Case Rounds
VAAP hosts virtual case rounds with legal advocates on the third Thursday lunch and last Tuesday morning of each month. All attorneys and accredited representatives interested or currently representing humanitarian immigration status seekers in VT are welcome to participate! We facilitate this series “clinic style,” meaning we focus our time on fostering supportive, confidential, judgement-free, reflective, and ultimately action-oriented discussion of whatever case/project questions participants bring to the group. No RSVP necessary, come when you can, and no need to stay for the whole meeting. Just come prepared to introduce yourself as well as an anonymized version of your case/project questions for engaging group discussion!
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 211 986 285 707
Passcode: 4go4qN


Immigration Advocates Network Webinar on Protecting Our 501C(3) Organizations
Protecting Our Organizations: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Compliance Virtual Training
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
By: Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI), Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP
Topics: Program Assistance. Please join the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI), and our friends at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP for a virtual training on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 4-5pm ET on non-profit organizational compliance issues. The training will discuss important steps that 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations can take regarding tax-exempt compliance and other practices to better protect themselves from audits or investigations that interfere with their ability to defend vulnerable communities. The training is intended for leadership (e.g., Executive Directors and Board members) and finance staff. Please reach out to Charlie Jiang (cjiang@aaldef.org) with any questions.

NYLPI's Protecting Our Organizations: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Compliance Virtual Training
Protecting Our Organizations: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Compliance Virtual Training
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 | 4-5pm ET
Please join the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI), and our friends at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP for a virtual training on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 4-5pm ET on non-profit organizational compliance issues. The training will discuss important steps that 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations can take regarding tax-exempt compliance and other practices to better protect themselves from audits or investigations that interfere with their ability to defend vulnerable communities. The training is intended for leadership (e.g., Executive Directors and Board members) and finance staff. Please reach out to Charlie Jiang (cjiang@aaldef.org) with any questions.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KXt1HjlgS_2pmpJF8xu4Hw