Today, was full of paper work. I am finally beginning to better understand how to put together an application to have mailed in, whereas the past few days I learned more about the process of data mining and client interaction. I did a lot of calling clients today, asking for bits and pieces of detailed information to fill in affidavits necessary for fee waivers and other lost certificates. Every time I called a client, they were so happy to hear from the clinic even though I was sure they had no clue who I was.
I also spent a good deal time learning how to analyze and extract information from given documents, information which the clients and I have not discussed or that the client just did not know. This included immigration proceedings, visa status, and court orders.
All in all today was vital, tomorrow should be the perfect amount of time I need to prepare all of my applications to have them sent out.
Ed. note:
Ben Akbulut is a first year law student at New England Law | Boston and will be the blogger for this week.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Intake at Chef Nicole
Hey all, today was great! We worked late into the evening. We started our day late by meeting at noon at the clinic where we all reviewed our cases and discussed what needed to be done in order to complete each application fully. This was very helpful because everyone had a unique case which the rule and guidelines of TPS applied differently too. The cases ranged from an ideal couple without any issues to borderline possible denials to more concrete cases of denial, in which there was more complex legal issues involved. In addition we had a few cases that were started earlier the week before we had arrived. After our meeting we had about an hour to work on our cases and complete researched required. Some of the research included criminal background checks and alien registration number status checks.
Later on we returned to Little Haiti to a newly opened restaurant named “Chef Nicole” that allowed us to host our clinic there for the evening. I must add we ate dinner which was phenomenal (some of the best Haitian food around). While a few of us setup others went into the neighborhood notifying everyone and anyone who either owned a shop or was on the street about the clinic. We met this one gentleman who operated a home radio station and made an announcement to community, telling them “FREE TPS at NICOLE’S!” By the time I returned from a second round of flyering the restaurant was full of clients and had one waiting for me. That night all of us had at least one client to our name.
Looks like we have some we have our work cut out for us tomorrow.
Ed. note:
Ben Akbulut is a first year law student at New England Law | Boston and will be the blogger for this week.
Later on we returned to Little Haiti to a newly opened restaurant named “Chef Nicole” that allowed us to host our clinic there for the evening. I must add we ate dinner which was phenomenal (some of the best Haitian food around). While a few of us setup others went into the neighborhood notifying everyone and anyone who either owned a shop or was on the street about the clinic. We met this one gentleman who operated a home radio station and made an announcement to community, telling them “FREE TPS at NICOLE’S!” By the time I returned from a second round of flyering the restaurant was full of clients and had one waiting for me. That night all of us had at least one client to our name.
Looks like we have some we have our work cut out for us tomorrow.
Ed. note:
Ben Akbulut is a first year law student at New England Law | Boston and will be the blogger for this week.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Day one of client intake
I wasn’t sure what to expect, the day began off with a series of early arrivers who all had vastly different stories. It is amazing to realize people who are so close to each other, be so different. I began downstairs at the entrance prescreening clients to make sure they had basic documents, photos and knew where the nearest places where to get their needs. Then I joined my group back upstairs to help them intake. As I watched other groups I saw all different types of Haitians from old to young.
The most difficult aspect was gaining the trust of the client. Oftentimes clients would tell us information that they did not want recorded or written down, things such as being in the military or type of entrance into the country, some even refused to give their real name. The trick here to calming and easing the pressure is repetitive reassurance, to constantly remind clients that we always keep confidentiality and would never take any action to adversely affect their situation.
In addition to this was the language barrier. Explaining principles such as a “stowaway” or what “adversely affects foreign policy” through solely English was really difficult, knowing a second language at this point proved to be priceless. Despite the difficulty of the language barrier, when clients left the clinic they were sincerely happy. We were able to at least explain that if we cannot help that we can point them into the right direction, which is better than doing nothing at all.
Btw they do not serve milk shakes at taco bell
Ed. note:
Ben Akbulut is a first year law student at New England Law | Boston and will be the blogger for this week.
The most difficult aspect was gaining the trust of the client. Oftentimes clients would tell us information that they did not want recorded or written down, things such as being in the military or type of entrance into the country, some even refused to give their real name. The trick here to calming and easing the pressure is repetitive reassurance, to constantly remind clients that we always keep confidentiality and would never take any action to adversely affect their situation.
In addition to this was the language barrier. Explaining principles such as a “stowaway” or what “adversely affects foreign policy” through solely English was really difficult, knowing a second language at this point proved to be priceless. Despite the difficulty of the language barrier, when clients left the clinic they were sincerely happy. We were able to at least explain that if we cannot help that we can point them into the right direction, which is better than doing nothing at all.
Btw they do not serve milk shakes at taco bell
Ed. note:
Ben Akbulut is a first year law student at New England Law | Boston and will be the blogger for this week.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Training and Outreach in Little Haiti
Today was the first day of the training clinic. As my first time ever involved in a such a clinic I was really nervous because I did not fully understand what TPS was. The first training session was great, we ran through every form, a mock interview and met with the attorneys and students involved with the program here at the University of Miami.
The second half of our day comprised of distributing flyers and getting the word out to the residents of Little Haiti. Flyers had content written in both English and Creole on each side. In groups of two we covered nearly all the restaurants and residential buildings in 15 square blocks. Learning simple phrases such as “Bonjour” and “Como Seva” made many elders simile. My biggest hit was in the community medical center…when I walked in, there were over two dozen people who were interested in the flyers and when I gave them one, they rifled questions at me. I took this as a good sign. There were so many people incredibly receptive to the flyer, I hope they all turnout.
All in all what a success so far.
Ed. note:
Ben Akbulut is a first year law student at New England Law | Boston and will be the blogger for this week.
The second half of our day comprised of distributing flyers and getting the word out to the residents of Little Haiti. Flyers had content written in both English and Creole on each side. In groups of two we covered nearly all the restaurants and residential buildings in 15 square blocks. Learning simple phrases such as “Bonjour” and “Como Seva” made many elders simile. My biggest hit was in the community medical center…when I walked in, there were over two dozen people who were interested in the flyers and when I gave them one, they rifled questions at me. I took this as a good sign. There were so many people incredibly receptive to the flyer, I hope they all turnout.
All in all what a success so far.
Ed. note:
Ben Akbulut is a first year law student at New England Law | Boston and will be the blogger for this week.
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