Political Asylum Project of Austin promotes justice for immigrants and refugees by providing free and low-cost legal services and education. PAPA assists immigrants through their legal immigration processes, assisting immigrant victims of domestic violence, trafficking, and other crimes, as well as those fleeing persecution in their home countries. PAPA also assists immigrants filing petitions to be reunited with their family members and legal permanent residents who seek to become U.S. citizens, as well as other immigrants with a variety of legal immigration issues. PAPA also provides outreach and education in immigration legal rights and responsibilities for the public and for immigrants being held in detention while their cases are processed.
Every year, PAPA offers safety and hope for a new life to hundreds of men, women, and children from approximately 75 countries around the world. In 2007, PAPA provided legal services benefiting 3,011 persons, conducted 51 outreach and educational sessions for 1,003 people, and held 233 rights and educational workshops in immigration detention centers for 1,887 immigrants. These were large increases over prior years.
PAPA relies on contributions and volunteerism from our community to provide these services. For more information on how to contribute, contact Sharon Mims at 478-0546 x208, and for more information on volunteering, please contact Brenna Troncoso at 478-0546 x214. More information is also available at www.papais.org, including how to sign up for Fire and Ice, the organization's upcoming fun-filled event on June 12.
