NYC Mayor Eric Adams Says Asylum Application Help Center Has Helped Submit over 1,300 Applications since Opening in June, with Assistance of 600+ Volunteers from More than 30 Law Firms

On August 2, 2023, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city’s Asylum Application Help Center has helped migrants mail more than 1,300 asylum applications since it began at the end of June, helping asylum seekers complete and file asylum applications—the first step to ultimately applying for work authorization. Interested asylum seekers are scheduled for one-on-one appointments at the application help center, where trained application assistants provide individualized support to the applicant. Experienced immigration lawyers are on site to supervise application assistants and provide guidance, and interpreters are on site to provide in-person language assistance.

Over 30 of the city's leading law firms and major corporations, with the support of the Association of Pro Bono Counsel—together sent over 600 volunteer application assistants and support staff to the center. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is among the law firms who contributed to the submission of asylum applications.

Volunteers from Wilson Sonsini include: Melisa Desperak (paralegal), Geneva Robles (patent specialist), Lauren Nilles (associate), Tina Xiang (patent agent), Amy Ilowite (associate), Jane Chen (associate), Jen Yamin (associate), Christopher Murray (associate), Chelsea Bailey (summer associate), Teresa Colenares (KM and Research Assistant Analyst), Audrey Laryea (associate), David Williamson (patent agent), and Harshini Kanduru (associate).

The firm is proud to partner with New York City, the city's Asylum Application Help Center, the Association of Pro Bono Counsel, and cohort of law firms who have joined the effort.

For more information, please see the news release from the City of New York.