On Friday, August 6, 2021 Illinois’ Governor Pritzker signed a new law extending the age of protection from 18 years old to 21 years old for immigrants eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Join us for a celebration of this newly extended law and training for Pro Bono Attorneys that are interested in helping immigrant children in Illinois. As a result of continued collaboration between legislators, child protection and immigration experts, pro bono counsel and resilient clients this extension provides protection to eligible immigrant children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected by one or both parents and are at risk of deportation. We will first celebrate the law with State Representatives and community advocates. Then, for pro bono attorneys, experts will engage in a panel discussion on practical aspects of filing for SIJS in Illinois. Free CLE in Illinois is available.
AGENDA
A Celebration, 9 - 9:30 a.m. CT
Representative Rep. Gong-Gershowitz; Senator Cristina Castro; Dariana, SIJS recipient; Julian Lazalde, NIJC’s Civic Engagement and Policy Analyst; Hillary Richardson, NIJC Supervising Attorney.
Panel Discussion for Pro Bono Attorneys, 9:45 – 11 a.m. CT
Hillary Richardson, NIJC Supervising Attorney; Rebekah Rashidfarokhi, CVLS Director of the Guardian ad Litem for Minors Program; Sara Ghadiri, Pro Bono Counsel at Chapman & Cutler LLP.