Innovating immigration laws is an essential endeavor in our current climate. With refugee law constantly changing, refugee attorneys need ways to stay ahead of the curve to ensure their clients receive adequate legal protection and justice. Fortunately, there are efforts to improve circumstances for those seeking asylum.

Institutions like The Refugee Law Lab are developing technological solutions to improve refugee access to justice. They are creating a powerful online app to help refugee attorneys prepare for refugee hearings. Their work and the efforts of others aren’t just crucial for refugee attorneys and their clients. Technology can redefine how refugee law is practiced and understood.

 

 

What’s the Challenge Facing Refugee Attorneys?

Refugee attorneys provide legal protection and justice to their clients. Unfortunately, refugee law is constantly changing, making it difficult for attorneys to stay up-to-date with the latest regulations. The issue grows more complex when considering refugees and their need for resources like representation or technology.

Refugee attorneys are overwhelmed trying to stay current with the laws while ensuring their clients receive adequate legal protection. Refugee attorneys must understand various legal concepts and juggle multiple cases simultaneously. In addition, attorneys must determine refugee status and work to ensure fair treatment. Refugee attorneys that use technology to stay informed can ensure justice for refugee clients.

 

What’s the Challenge Facing Refugees?

Technology isn’t a cure-all for refugee issues but it can contribute to their health and welfare—even putting lives in safer hands. In 2017, a UNHCR survey of Syrian and Iraqi refugees revealed that smartphones, water, and food are among the top three essential items they bring when fleeing their homes. In addition, a working mobile phone and an internet connection can increase access to a safe home and a haven for their families or allow them to contact relatives who could help them.

Although technology has made it easier for asylum-seekers to access essential services, many still lack adequate access. Statistics show that they are 50% less likely than the general population to own a phone capable of accessing the internet. Governments and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) can help bridge this digital divide by offering resources so these individuals can take advantage of technological advances. The significant cost barrier to refugee connectivity is evidenced by the fact that refugees often expend up to a third of their disposable income on staying connected.

 

How Does Innovative Technology Empower Refugees?

Technology equips refugees with invaluable tools to counter the obstacles of displacement. In addition, technology can allow refugees to utilize electronic cash support, look for jobs, or continue their studies through online learning modules.

 

Internet Connectivity for Refugees

If we want to make the most of our communication programs, then it is essential that we first prioritize establishing reliable connectivity. Only then can we succeed in creating meaningful technology solutions. Christine Ro, a contributing writer for Forbes, mentions that “Reliable internet, continuous electricity supply, access to smartphones, and affordable data plans all have to come before the unusable tablets or the one-off online services.” Reliable internet access is essential for refugees pressured for time and resources. By leveraging technology, refugees can understand their rights and access grants, health care, employment, education, and refugee services.

 

A Digital Identity for Refugees

Refugees must have access to personal identification documents such as birth certificates and ID cards. Having an identity card can enable access to services, including digital ones. For example, many countries require proof of identification when activating SIM cards. Thus, we must work together to provide asylum seekers documentation, so they don’t become further dispossessed.

Modern technologies are now available to improve refugees’ access to legal and digital identities. Although it can provide more secure identity documents, storing and protecting their digital data is still challenging.

 

Improve Digital Literacy and IT Skills of Refugees

Digital literacy grants refugees many possibilities, from navigating websites to having in-demand software skills like coding and developing blogs. This includes using social media, sending emails proactively, and understanding how technology functions in the global economy. In addition, with digital literacy, refugees can access more opportunities by making themselves appealing to employers in the field of telecommunications and IT.

 

Access to Digital Education for Refugees

Unfortunately, 3.7 million refugee children worldwide are denied education, which is only rising as COVID-19 forces schools in many countries to shut down or temporarily reduce classroom numbers. We must address this grave injustice if we hope for a brighter future for asylum seekers and their families. By providing refugees with remote, digital education opportunities, we can close the educational gap between them and their peers.

 

Exploring How Refugee Attorneys Use Technology to Improve

As we’ve seen, the digital transformation of refugee life can significantly improve access to justice. Technology can help refugee attorneys understand the laws and regulations governing refugee rights, making it easier to negotiate legal provisions to their benefit. Thus, refugee lawyers must stay up-to-date with digital developments to tackle the problems they work on and forge meaningful connections with their clients.

A refugee attorney can go beyond the issues or risks and find new possibilities or develop good practices for digital refugee lawyering. The United States has a standard framework for professionals to increase their technological competence, and refugee attorneys are no exception.

 

As lawyer-client relationships evolve, the central concerns include:

• Due diligence and confidentiality protection
• Demonstrating proficiency in e-discovery processes
• Advising their clients on cybersecurity protection
• Notable benefits of cloud computing services

 

Modern Law Group, P.C. Practices Greater Accountability When Serving Refugees

The heart of refugee lawyering is an ideology that requires lawyers to be accountable to their clients, including participation, trust, and a degree of legal empowerment. Although traditional refugee legal aid programs fundamentally address the need for assistance, bringing greater control through more active involvement has been difficult. Lawyers must understand how to use digital literacy effectively to guarantee that refugees get justice. Therefore, every refugee attorney must now focus on developing ways to enhance our comprehension of these topics to support the creation of techno-legal knowledge.

Modern Law Group, P.C. strives to provide top-tier legal services by refugee attorneys through technology, allowing us to be more efficient and better organized. Our lawyers serve our clients in the most ethically responsible way possible and help them understand how they can use technology to their advantage. Through improved data collection and understanding, we can ensure your rights are upheld, and you receive the justice you deserve. So if you’re considering applying for asylum in the U.S., don’t hesitate to contact Modern Law Group, P.C., to schedule your no-strings-attached consultation today.

Published: 2023-03-08 13:09:45