frequently asked questions on statistics

What is HRI's client success rate?

For clients who HRI represented in FY 2008 (July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009), the Asylum Program had a 90% client success rate. 

HRI's Women and Children's Program has experienced enormous success for clients.  The Vermont Service Center, the US Citizenship and Immigration center adjudicating U-visa applications, publishes a national approval rate of 86.18% for principal applicants and 75.66% for beneficiary applicants of a U-visa Petition ("VSC Stakeholders Meeting Questions."  US Department of Homeland Security.  August 20, 2009.  Web.  September 10, 2009).  HRI's approval rate in the same categories is an astounding 100%.  Likewise, HRI has an impressive 100% approval rating for VAWA self-petitions.  The national average for VAWA self-petitions was 67.1% in FY 2008 (as published in a letter from the Vermont Service Center to Gail Pendleton of ASISTA on March 18, 2009). 

How many cases does HRI handle per year and what is the breakdown per program?

In FY 2008, HRI opened a total of 155 legal cases. 

54 of those legal cases were within the Asylum Program and included:

• - Affirmative asylum application before the Department of Homeland Security
• - Defensive asylum applications before the Department of Justice
• - Asylum appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
• - Asylee family petitions
• - Employment authorization documents, and adjustment of status

Women and Children's program accepted 101 legal cases, which included:

• - VAWA
• - U-visa
• - Supervised Removal
• - SIJS and managing conservatorship
• - Employment authorization documents, and adjustment of status

How many cases does HRI evaluate per year?

Overall, in FY 2008 HRI evaluated 195 clients in their respective legal matter. 

What percentage of cases does HRI accept?

In FY 2008, HRI accepted 49% of its evaluated cases. 

What continents are HRI's clients from, and what are the percentages by continent?

HRI accepted 96 new clients in FY 2008.  Of that number, 62 were from North or South America (65%), 21 were from Africa (22%), 6 were from Asia (6%), 2 were from the Middle East (2%).

What percentage of cases involve pro bono assistance?

Overall, the Asylum Program placed 80% of new cases (ie opened in FY 2008) with an attorney in the community who offered pro bono representation. 

Likewise, the Women and Children's Program placed 26.73% of principal legal cases with an attorney in the community who provided pro bono representation to an HRI client.  There was 100% pro bono assistance during some part of the legal process in SIJS cases, 100% pro bono assistance during some point of the legal process in VAWA cases, and 28% pro bono assistance during some point of the legal process in U-visa cases. 

What is the dollar value of "in-kind" legal services donated to HRI annually?

The estimated total dollar value of pro bono time for FY 2008 is over $1.33 million and the value of other volunteer services is more $47,000.  This brings the estimated total value of volunteer time since 2000 to be nearly $6.4 million. 

Approximately how many volunteers does HRI have?

In FY 2008, HRI staff trained and supported 192 legal professionals.  Additionally, HRI staff trained and supported more than 39 volunteer physicians, mentors, translators and interpreters.  Volunteers donated an average of 43 hours per case. 

What kinds of immigration relief does HRI provide to its clients?

HRI represents clients for the following applications:

• - I-243 Application for Removal
• - I-360 Petition for Ameriasian, Widow(er) or Special Immigrant
• - I-589 Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal
• - I-751 Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence
• - I-914 Application for T Nonimmigrant Status
• - I-918 Application for U Nonimmigrant Status

HRI provides various forms of supporting relief to current clients (ie meaning we have represented an individual in any of the above referenced applications or petitions).  This includes representing clients for the following applications to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS):

• - AR-11 Change of Address
• - G-325 Biographic Information
• - G-639 Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request
• - I-102 Application for Renewal/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document
• - I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant
• - I-193 Application for Waiver for Passport and/or Visa
• - I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
• - I-602 Application by Refugee for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability
• - I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
• - I-730 Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition
• - I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

What percentage of asylum cases does HRI win?

In FY 2008, HRI won 60% of its affirmative asylum applications to the Houston Asylum Office.  Nationwide, the affirmative asylum grant rate is 51% and the State of Texas (in FY 2003) reportedly approved 19% of affirmative applications ("FY 2008 Statistical Year Book." US Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Mar. 2009. Web. July 2009).  Likewise, the Houston Asylum Office (in FY 2003) only approved 12% of evaluated cases.  (Please note that the affirmative asylum grant rates from FY 2003 for the State of Texas and Houston Asylum Office are the most recently published numbers available.)

In FY 2008, HRI won 81.81% of its defensive asylum applications before an Immigration Judge.  Nationally, the defensive grant rate is 36% ("FY 2008 Statistical Year Book." US Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Mar. 2009. Web. July 2009).    

What is the percentage breakdown according to type of asylum case?

In FY 2008, HRI's clients had asylum claims based on the following groups and respective percentages:

Race 12.5%
Religion 56.25%
Nationality 12.5%
Political Opinion 56.25%
Social Group 56.25%
Torture Convention 87.5%

In the Women and Children's Program, what sort of assistance is provided?

The Women and Children's Program was created in 2005 to address the growing needs of society's most vulnerable - females and children.  Today, the program is taking off with record numbers demonstrating the ever increasing needs of battered and abused spouses, victims of qualifying violent crimes, and abused/abandoned/neglected children.  HRI plays a critical role in representing individuals before the US Department of Homeland Security, US Department of Justice, and district family courts.