Many Minnesota faith congregations have responded to the Trump Administration's changes in immigration enforcement policy by offering to provide "sanctuary" to vulnerable immigrants in immediate danger of deportation. Many more are currently discerning whether to take that step.

Congregations discerning their role in offering sanctuary need pro bono lawyers to help them understand the legal implications - the bright lines and gray areas - of housing and transporting undocumented immigrants, or of providing support to those congregations that do. Congregations committed to providing sanctuary need pro bono lawyers to help them do so in a lawful way that reduces the risk of potential criminal investigation and enforcement.

Dorsey is proud to partner with LegalCORPS, The Advocates for Human Rights, the Minnesota State Bar Association Human Rights Committee, Minnesota/ Dakotas Chapter of AILA's Faith-Based Advocacy Group, and ISAIAH to provide training and coordination for area lawyers who would like to help faith congregation providing sanctuary to vulnerable immigrants.

First, we are hosting a "Sanctuary Lawyers Training and CLE" to introduce lawyers to the legal, practical, and ethical issues of advising and representing sanctuary congregations and to equip and support lawyers interested in providing pro bono assistance. Next, we will hold a legal clinic to connect lawyers with congregations, so their basic sanctuary questions can be answered and they can be referred to volunteer attorneys for pro bono representation.

The SANCTUARY LAWYERS TRAINING AND CLE will occur:
8:30 - 12:30pm, Monday, July 24, 2017, Dorsey & Whitney

The SANCTUARY CONGREGATIONS LEGAL CLINIC will occur:
6:00 - 8:30pm August 10, 2017, at a location to be determined.