The Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 Public Interest Scholarships.
- Julie Phan, a student at UC Berkeley School of Law, graduating in 2028, will be interning with Safe Passage Project, assisting immigrant youths in New York City and Long Island in removal proceedings and in seeking immigration and naturalization benefits. This internship is a continuation of her work with Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) helping with immigration applications. She is happy to report that through the knowledge and mentorship gained with AJSOCAL she successfully filed her mother’s citizenship application and her mother became a citizen this year.
- Sarah Raterta, a student at City University of New York School of Law, graduating in 2027, will be interning with the National Immigration Project, based in New York. Sarah’s prior work with Her Justice assisting indigent women with immigration issues and with the National Center for Law and Economic Justice conducting research on appellate and impact litigation have strengthened her commitment to work with low-income communities. Through her summer internship, she hopes to become a stronger advocate for Asian American clients facing legal and structural barriers.
- Mikail Husain, a student at City University of New York School of Law, graduating in 2028, who will be interning at the New York State Office of the Attorney General Labor Department, was awarded the AALFNY/SABANY public interest fellowship in April 2026.
AALFNY directors Kwok Ng and Vincent Chang with Mikhail Hassain at SABANY’s reception on April 8, 2026.
We also applaud the organizations with which these students will be working. The scholarship awards will be presented at a Summer Reception to be held on June 30, 2026 at 6 pm. Information regarding the Summer Reception and registration is available at https://www.aabany.org/events/event_details.asp?legacy=1&id=2066846
AALFNY awards Public Interest Scholarships each year to law students with a demonstrated commitment to the Asian American community. The purpose of the award is to assist law students with their tuition while encouraging them to use their legal knowledge and training to benefit the Asian American community in New York and to foster commitment by law students to public service in New York. Since 1997, AALFNY has funded more than 75 public interest scholarships to law students.
AALFNY was established in 1993 by the Asian American Bar Association of New York to create and support non-profit and charitable efforts to eliminate prejudice and discrimination and to defend human and civil rights.
Donations to AALFNY may be made at asianamericanlawfund.org/donate.
A copy of our latest annual report may be obtained from AALFNY at P.O. Box 161, 41 Purdy Ave., Rye NY 10580 or from the NY Attorney General’s Charities Bureau website www.charitiesnys.com. Information may also be obtained from AALFNY at donations@AsianAmericanLawFund.org or the NYS Attorney General at 212-416-8686.