This module provides a brief history and an overview of the legal standards that must be satisfied to prevail in an asylum claim. The module will serve as a useful introduction to the topic and as a preparatory checklist, dividing the required elements of a claim into five distinct elements.  

Module Faculty 
Jeffrey S. Chase (ML), Online Course Committee, Brooklyn, NY 
Cindy Zapata, Cambridge, MA

This module provides an overview on the five protected grounds for asylum – race, religion, nationality, political opinion, and membership in a particular social group (PSG). It provides tips on formulating a PSG and proving nexus as well as ethical considerations in filing a case where the facts or case law appear to be weak or unfavorable.  

Module Faculty 
Christine Lin (ML), Online Course Committee, San Francisco, CA  
Ashley Huebner, AILA Asylum Conference Committee Chair/AILA EOIR-ICE Joint Liaison Committee Member, Glenview, IL 
Bradley Jenkins, New York, NY 

This module discusses the bars to and asylum and withholding of removal, now referred to as "restriction on removal." The module faculty will discuss when and how the bars apply to asylum and restriction applicants. 

Module Faculty
Erin J. Quinn (ML), San Francisco, CA 
Paul O’Dwyer, AILA Removal Defense Section Steering Committee Vice Chair, New York, NY  
Sophia M. Genovese, Albuquerque, NM 
Edward Neufville, Silver Spring, MD 

This module discusses standards and best practices for evidence in asylum cases.  

Faculty:

• Ilana Etkin Greenstein (ML), Asylum Conference Committee, Senior Technical Assistance Attorney, Immigration Justice Campaign, Boston, MA 
• Maggie Arias, Coral Gables, FL  
• Chelsea E. HaleyNelson, Oakland, CA 

This module provides an overview of how mental health interacts with the representation of asylum-seekers as well as discussions on the importance of cultural competency.  The module will provide guidance on practical considerations of representing individuals with mental health symptoms, trauma-informed interviewing as well as recognizing and preventing vicarious trauma.  

Faculty:

• Veronica Barba (ML), Los Angeles, CA  
• Lauren N. Kostes, New York, NY 
• Mayra Alvarado, Managing Social Worker, Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, Phoenix, AZ 

This module covers the relevant agencies involved in the process and describes asylum procedures, from the affirmative asylum proceedings that apply before USCIS to the defensive asylum proceedings that take place before the Immigration Courts.   

Faculty:

• Victoria Neilson (ML), AILA Asylum and Refugee Committee Co-Chair, Pleasantville, NY  
• Breanna Cary, Publications Committee Chair, Edmond, OK 
• Edna Yang, Austin, TX 

This module covers issues all asylum practitioners should be aware of relating to issues at the border. 

Faculty:

• Nicolas Palazzo, El Paso, TX 
• Chelsea Jordan Sachau, Tucson, AZ 

What happens after your client is granted asylum? This module discusses asylee benefits and responsibilities, adjustment of status for asylees, and ethics in post-asylum issues. 

Faculty:

• Anam Rahman (ML), Fairfax, VA 
• Stacie A. Hammond, Memphis, TN 
• Laura Ferner, Springdale, AR 

This module contains the certificate and CLE information and certificate for the AILA Asylum Online Course.