Advancing access to the Recognition and Accreditation Program through robust, skills-based training.

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), is pleased to announce this court skills training opportunity for partially accredited representatives who want to qualify and apply for full accreditation to represent clients in immigration court. The Partial to Full Accreditation Initiative will guide participants through activities, webinars, and readings, and will culminate in a 3-day court skills training from Feb. 4-6, 2025, in Walnut Creek, California. During this in-person training, participants will perform direct examinations, objections, re-direct examinations, and closing arguments in small groups. The training will teach participants the skills needed to successfully apply for full accreditation and represent clients in immigration court. CLINIC faculty will provide individualized feedback after each performance.

Alumni of our 2022 and 2023 classes shared this feedback:

• "Fantastic and challenging course. I felt pushed (in a good way) and loved working with the same breakout group. Instructors were top notch!"
• "This initiative demystified immigration court for me. I feel confident I can represent clients in removal proceedings. Of course, I will have to gain experience as anybody would, but I have no doubt I have the foundation and the resources to continue to successfully grow."
• "I thoroughly enjoyed this training. It was a lot of information to process but it was delivered in such a way that it was easy to connect the dots and our trainers were so personable and kind. Thank you for this opportunity. It was priceless."
• "The training was much more than what I expected. All of the trainers were very knowledgeable and willing to share the experiences of their beginnings, including the IJ. I really appreciated that. I have nothing other that positive things to say about this training. It was an amazing experience."
• "Great job! The structure of the training not only took care of the learning necessities but also the psychological predisposition of the participants. The structure broke barriers such as shyness, fear of public speaking, lack of self confidence and also brought joy into the material that at times could be very heavy."

If interested in this opportunity…

• Register and attend the informational webinar on July 19, 2024. If you cannot attend live, the recording will be accessible after the live webinar concludes. We recommend watching it before submitting your application.
• Applicants will receive notification of their selection status by Aug. 28 and, if selected for this training, your organization must 1) sign and submit the agreement form agreeing to meet the requirements of the training and 2) submit the training fee ($545 for Affiliates or $650 for non-Affiliates) by Sept. 13.

To review the sample Project Timeline and Summary of Steps, please click here .

To review a sample Agreement, please click here.

Prior to attending the court skills training, participants must:

• View webinar recordings related to removal defense practice through an e-learning course online platform;
• Identify an in-house/local attorney or fully accredited representative mentor and make arrangements to obtain hands-on immigration court experience through your mentor as soon as possible;
• Observe a master calendar or individual hearing in immigration court and submit reflections in writing;
• Study the training materials, including a case file that we will use during the court skills training; and
• Complete a case assessment exercise based on the case file.

Other requirements:

• Participate in the in-person 3-day court skills training that will be held in Walnut Creek, California, from Feb. 4-6, 2025;
• Work on a short legal writing assignment that can be used as part of your accreditation application;
• Upon completion of the in-person court skills training, collect documentation for your application for full accreditation and work with CLINIC to finalize and submit the application to the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Access Programs (OLAP); and
• Provide CLINIC a final report upon receiving full accreditation that explains how this in-depth training and full accreditation status impacted you professionally and your organization’s capacity to serve your local immigrant communities. Alternatively, if you do not obtain full accreditation status, your report should explain why you were unable to complete this requirement.

If you have additional questions about this training initiative, please contact training@cliniclegal.org. If you are a CLINIC Affiliate and have questions about applying for full accreditation, please submit your questions on the Affiliate Support Form.