Adoptees United is excited to announce the launch of a free and low cost legal service for intercountry adoptees who have US citizenship questions or issues.
Our board and staff have long discussed the need for more direct services to adopted people, and a legal clinic fits that bill. While there is far more information about the project here, this is generally how it will work and how you can get connected to the service.
Intercountry Adoptee Focus
The legal clinic’s initial priority is serving intercountry adoptees who may have US citizenship issues or questions. Within that broad priority, the initial focus of the clinic will be:
- legal screenings, including obtaining USCIS (immigration) records to determine a client’s immigration and/or citizenship status;
- general advice, including what next steps may be and what options are available;
- if needed, legal representation to secure a Certificate of Citizenship (filing an N-600);
- referrals, if available, for intercountry adoptees who must naturalize to become a US citizen
Find out more about the service as well as how to complete an intake to be considered for assistance.
Services provided by volunteer legal professionals
Adoptees United has contracted with the Adoptee Rights Law Center to provide free legal services to those who qualify within the clinic’s priorities. To build current and future capacity, ARLC will also train lawyers and paralegals on immigration issues that intercountry adoptees frequently encounter.
If your are a lawyer who wants more information about the clinic or wishes to get involved, contact us.
Start Focused, then Expand
We are starting with a very specific focus on legal screenings and advice as well as legal representation to secure a Certificate of Citizenship. As we build the clinic over the next two years, our aim is to expand services to include legal representation for naturalizations. You can read more about our priorities here.
Help Us Build this Together: Donate
To launch, operate, and expand the clinic, we need to raise at least $20,000, enough to fund the clinic for two years, from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026. We are asking the community as a whole— as well as the broad adoption-related community more specifically— to contribute toward this goal.
Raising funds will provide stability for the clinic and allow it to expand into additional legal services, including naturalization cases. Please contact us if you wish to make a significant or ongoing donation.
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