Applicants invited; train for accreditation to provide basic pro bono immigration services to fellow residents

The City of Somerville invites residents, employees of Somerville nonprofit organizations, and employees of nonprofits that directly serve Somerville residents to apply to participate in an intensive, 40-hour Introduction to Immigration Law class offered in partnership with The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). After completing the course, participants will be qualified to apply for official Department of Justice accreditation that will allow them to help others with immigration forms and applications while serving as a volunteer or staff member of a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 

Classes will be held March 24, 25, 26, and April 1 and 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and applicants must be able to attend the entirety of each session to participate. Classes will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 51 Winthrop St., Somerville.  Twenty slots are available to qualified applicants at a discounted tuition of $75. All graduates of the program will be required to complete a minimum of 50 hours of pro bono service to residents of Somerville during 2017.

All interested persons are encouraged to apply. If there are more than 20 applicants, a committee will review applications and select participants with preference given to those who have experience working with immigrant communities, have other legal credentials, have flexible or greater availability to volunteer, or who are multilingual.

To apply, please fill out the online application at www.somervillema.gov/miralaw by Thursday, March 16, by 4:00 p.m.

For more general information, please contact Meghann Ackerman at mackerman@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 x2120.