FAQs

  • What are the benefits of partnering with ALP?

ALP volunteers are eager to assist with as much as they possibly can. ALP understands that it may be difficult for law students to make a substantial impact on any one case with only a week of work.  However, ALP also sees its mission as an opportunity for host organizations to train and inspire the next generation of legal advocates. Providing an opportunity for students to assist with immigration work firsthand sparks sustained interest in the legal immigration profession.

  • What types of organizations does ALP partner with?

ALP partners with organizations that work in the field of asylum and/or immigration law. As oOur mission includes connecting law students with opportunities to provide pro bono legal assistance. Therefore, many of the organizations we partner with are nonprofits with a focus on immigration work.

  • What is expected of partner organizations?

Host organizations are asked to provide meaningful work for students throughout the week and offer an introduction to the organization's mission and work, as well as a more general introduction to legal work in the public interest sector. We encourage hosts to include opportunities for students to learn about immigration law in addition to contributing to ongoing projects.

  • Is there a cost to host volunteers? How are ALP trips funded?

No. There is no fee to host student volunteers. ALP fundraises throughout the year to cover the cost of lodging, ground transportation, and partial coverage of airfare for students who go on volunteer trips. Students are responsible for covering their own meals and other incidental trip costs.

  • How are students selected to participate?

1Ls who are interested in volunteering submit an application that asks about their background, why they are interested in volunteering, their availability and travel capability, and any other information that may help our board members place volunteers. We use this information to match volunteers with the needs of the host organizations.

  • When do volunteer trips take place?

ALP typically plans volunteer trips over UMN Law’s winter break and spring break. This year, we are planning to coordinate trips for the week of January 4-8, 2027, the week of January 11-15, 2027, and the week of March 8-12, 2027.

  • How many students participate in each trip?

Our Outreach Coordinators work with host organizations to determine the number of students for each trip based on the needs of the host organization and the number of students we historically expect to apply for volunteer trips. This typically ranges from 2-6 students.

  • How does ALP prepare students for their volunteer placements? Do students receive any training before arriving?

ALP works with our faculty advisor in the Binger Center for New Americans to host a training session before volunteers go on their trips. We try to give students an introduction to general immigration law topics and trauma-informed client interaction. Our volunteers are historically willing to learn on their feet and assist in any way they can.

  • What does a typical volunteer placement look like? What work can students assist with? What types of projects have students worked on previously?

ALP asks host organizations to provide volunteers with some sort of substantive legal work, though that work differs depending on the needs of the host organization. In the past, students have helped with client intake and communication, organizing case files, creating know-your-rights resources, country conditions research, case law research, drafting memos under attorney supervision, and more.

  • How can interested organizations reach out to host students?

Please email asylumlp@umn.edu to be connected with our Outreach Coordinators. We typically do the bulk of our outreach to host organizations during the summer so we can be prepared to open volunteer applications for first-year students at the start of the fall semester in September. However, if you are interested in hosting students over spring break, please reach out to us during the fall semester, and we will work with your organization to set up a trip.

  • Is there a student leader serving as the point of contact during volunteer trips?

The primary contact will be the 1L Coordinator that serves as a liaison between the host organization and the volunteers to plan the trip. The ALP Co-Presidents, and/or another member of the board, will be available by email or phone as well.