The regulations allow applicants to be represented by law students or law graduates without bar membership. They must file a statement that they are under the supervision of a licensed attorney, they must not receive either direct or indirect remuneration from the applicant and there must be official approval. Paralegals often assist attorneys with researching country conditions during the preparation of asylum cases. Individuals with language skills, especially French, Farsi, Amhara, or Arabic, can help interview potential asylum seekers or assist during interviews. Also, approximately four times a year, community-based organizations sponsor naturalization workshops in which potential new citizens complete the required INS forms.
Training is available.
Many of the Project's asylum cases are affirmative cases. The applicant is submitting an asylum application to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. First-time attorneys estimate that they spend 80 to 250 hours on the case. There is no INS deadline for the submission of the application other than the regulatory one-year filing deadline, although applicants are anxious to file their cases. The time commitment is variable.