The New Jersey State Bar Association stands in solidarity with Ukraine and recognizes that the ongoing war has created a humanitarian crisis for Ukrainian citizens both at home and abroad.
For attorneys interested in offering legal aid to Ukrainian nationals living in the U.S., the NJSBA will host a webinar on April 22 on how to help those from the war-torn country apply for Temporary Protected Status. The special training session, presented by the NJSBA Immigration Law Section, will cover the history of TPS, who is eligible, how to apply and more.
Those who attend the webinar can volunteer for a legal clinic to help Ukrainians, along with Afghan nationals, fill out their TPS applications in late June at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick.
“Public service is part of what we are as attorneys. It doesn’t matter if you’re an immigration law practitioner. There’s something about helping others,” said Michele Alcade, chair of the NJSBA’s Immigration Law section and one of the webinar’s speakers.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced in March that Ukrainians temporarily living or studying in the U.S. could apply for TPS, which would allow them to remain in the country for another 18 months. The special protection is granted when one’s country is deemed unsafe for return over an armed conflict or natural disaster. The order, however, only applies to Ukrainians who were already in the country as of March 1.
There are an estimated 75,000 residents of Ukrainian descent living in New Jersey, many who arrived as refugees from the former Soviet Union, according to Gov. Phil Murphy’s office. The latest upheaval in Ukraine has led 3 million people to flee the country, while damage to civilian infrastructure has left many without electricity or water or access to food, basic supplies and emergency medical services, according to the federal Department of Homeland Security.
“Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted in an ongoing war, senseless violence, and Ukrainians forced to seek refuge in other countries,” DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said in March. “In these extraordinary times, we will continue to offer our support and protection to Ukrainian nationals in the United States.”
Alcalde believes the TPS order could impact thousands in the Garden State, though navigating the TPS process can be a hassle for attorneys who aren’t versed in immigration law, she said. The filings, according to Alcalde, are loaded with fields regarding citizenship and other factors that need to be filled out carefully.
“For attorneys who are not familiar with the form and not familiar with immigration law, I think the TPS basis will really help them out,” she said. “We can decipher right away whether someone is eligible or not.”
The webinar will include a rundown of who is eligible for TPS — including the requirements to meet and what disqualifies someone. Speakers will also walk through the forms and fees associated with applying, along with travel authorization requirements for TPS beneficiaries, how to appeal a denial of TPS and scams to avoid.
Register for the webinar at njsba.com. The program, titled “TPS Basics for Providing Assistance to Ukrainian Refugees,” is free for NJSBA members. The legal clinics for Ukrainian and Afghan nationals are tentatively scheduled for late June at the New Jersey Law Center. Updates will be available at njsba.com.