JCIJ’s Collaboration with Riverton Park Legal Clinics
November 19, 2024 | by Susan Schulkin, Ruth Egger and Ellen Kleyman
By now you’ve all read about the tremendous number of immigrants who have been supported by Riverton Park United Methodist Church in Tukwila. Many of you have donated clothing and household supplies, tutored children, taught English classes, worked in the mail room, housed people in your homes and donated to the food bank. But, did you know there are also dozens of JCIJ folks who have been volunteering in Riverton Park’s legal clinics and playing a central role in organizing these clinics?
A year ago, immigration attorney Paul Soreff learned about the great need for assisting migrants at Riverton Park United Methodist Church to file for asylum protection. Paul was well aware that after entering the U.S., migrants have a one-year asylum filing deadline, and then, 150 days after their asylum applications are submitted, asylum seekers are eligible to apply for work authorization permits so they can earn money and support themselves.
After a High Holiday service, Paul spoke with Diane Baer of Temple Beth Am who referred him to JCIJ. At that point, JCIJ had just begun the work of supporting the immigrants at the church in Tukwila. It was perfect timing!
Paul then dove into working with JCIJ co-founder Ruth Egger and Riverton’s in-house migrant assistance team leader, Jen T., and Reverend Jan Bolerjack, setting up the first Riverton asylum clinics. They were held at Lutheran Community Services, then at the NW Immigrant Rights Project office, at the UW law school, and in a former bank building adjacent to the SeaTac Doubletree Inn. Most recently, two congregations have generously hosted the Riverton asylum clinics: Tacoma First United Methodist and Plymouth Church in downtown Seattle. The clinics have gone from serving 8 to about 30 asylum seekers each month.
Almost 200 volunteers have worked at the asylum clinics, starting at 9 am and working until 6 pm, when the last cases are wrapped up. They listen carefully to the asylum seekers’ difficult stories, ensure that all details on the asylum applications are accurate, wait patiently for immigration attorneys to review and finalize the paperwork. And they do it all with flexibility and compassion.
At the same time, immigration attorney Ester Greenfeld, another JCIJ member, volunteered with Jen Tenorio to initiate a Temporary Protective Status (TPS) clinic for the Venezuelan community. Ester was in the process of retiring from her law firm and was looking for a new opportunity to contribute her legal skills. Together with Ellen Kleyman and Ruth Egger, the TPS clinic at Riverton Park United Methodist church began. Ruth coordinated the volunteers and Ellen and Ester administered the clinic. Anywhere from 7 -12 people volunteer in the TPS clinic each Monday, preparing forms and interpreting. In addition to TPS applications, the clinic also prepares work permit and fee waiver applications and offers support and referrals to all legal clinic visitors. Initially the vast majority of people who visited the clinic had stayed at Riverton Park at some point, but now the word is out and Spanish-speaking immigrants from as far as Tacoma, Shoreline and even Yakima come to this free Monday afternoon clinic for support. To date this clinic has filed applications for over 260 immigrants!
In addition to immigration lawyers like Paul Soreff and Ester Greenfield -- who have donated hundreds of hours to these legal clinics -- over one hundred people have volunteered at the asylum and TPS legal clinics. A shout out to the JCIJ members among this dedicated group who have served as coordinators, form preparers and interpreters! We have so appreciated volunteers like Ruth E., Susan S., Michele M., Carrie S., Ellen K., Mark E., Rick S., Joan W., Eve R-S., Fred D., Mary M., Carl S., Joanne A., Abby S., Susan M., Clarice H., and Nicole F.
And a special shout out to JCIJ members Rick Harwood and Victoria Bernstein. They have done so much to support the children and families who have stayed at Riverton Park. They set up a tutoring program for children and youth, they have helped enroll hundreds of children in local schools, they organized a summer program (which included a chance to play soccer with the Sounders!), and much more. Thank you Rick and Victoria!
Todah rabah to all JCIJ volunteers and community volunteers! Your work is so important. You inspire us.
Interested in getting involved? JCIJ supports two free legal clinics!
A Monday afternoon TPS legal clinic from 11:45 am - 4:15 pm for Spanish speakers at Riverton Park United Methodist Church. Volunteers who speak Spanish are especially needed, but fluency is not required!. No legal experience required. We have an amazing team of dedicated volunteers (weekly commitment not required).
A monthly day-long Asylum Clinic for past and current residents of Riverton Park United Methodist Church. This clinic is held on weekends. We are seeking immigration lawyers or paralegals; non-immigration lawyers and paralegals; people with an interest in learning about immigration law; and people who have sufficient fluency in Spanish, Lingala, French, Haitian-Creole or Portuguese to serve as interpreters.
Join us by filling out our volunteer form at tinyurl.com/jcijvolunteer.