Afghan refugees arriving in the U.S. need more than supplies and a place to live — some of them need legal services as well. Richmond Law students and alumni were quick to respond in the fall of 2021, with the Student Bar Association and the Veterans & Military Law Association organizing supply drives and the Carrico Center for Pro Bono and Public Service reaching out to community partners to assess needs and identify ways to help.
Working with the International Rescue Committee and ReEstablish Richmond, student volunteers helped Afghan families file requests for humanitarian parole for at-risk family members. Meanwhile, students who partnered with Lakshmi Challa, L’95, of Challa Law Group, worked with pro bono attorneys to support refugees who sought protected status under U visas and Violence Against Women Act petitions.
The law school also launched a webpage to connect those who wanted to help with opportunities for service — as well as connect those in need with service providers.
