AMHERST — An Amherst native who has provided legal assistance to hundreds of undocumented immigrant youth in New York sets out on a nationwide journey next month in response to what she sees as growing fears and uncertainty for many about President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration.

A 2002 Amherst Regional High School graduate, Lauren Burke, executive director of Atlas: DIY, a Brooklyn, New York-based nonprofit, departs Jan. 21, the day after the presidential inauguration, to launch “Immigration Nation.”

She will travel for six months across the United States to visit and help at least 50 families, in as many of the 50 states as possible, with know-your-rights seminars and ally trainings in schools and churches.

But before she goes, Burke will be back in her hometown Thursday to put on an information session about how the Amherst community can rally for immigrants, leading an hour-long event at the Munson Memorial Library, 1046 South East St., from 7 to 8 p.m.

“I’m really excited about the number of people since the election who realize undocumented immigrants are part of society and want to help,” said Burke, who will be accompanied on her trip by Atlas:DIY co-founder Martina Carillo, a former client who was an undocumented immigrant from Mexico and survived and prosecuted a hate crime.

As an immigration attorney, Burke will go over the resources available to immigrants, the types of relief that can be offered, the concept of sanctuary cities and the meaning of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, as well as what actions Trump can and cannot take as president.

Burke said she was asked by former teachers to lead the presentation. Many of these teachers have seen parents of their students deported, breaking up families and causing distress in the community.

On the website for Immigration Nation, Burke and Carillo write about the importance of their effort: “There is no question that the election of Donald Trump makes our already-fraught immigration system more punishing for all immigrants in the U.S. With the number of hate crimes rising, misinformation spreading like wildfire, and the rise in racist and xenophobic rhetoric in our daily lives, it is no wonder that many families are terrified of their new realities. ”

Two years ago, immigration hit even closer to home for Burke, when a friend and Amherst classmate reached out to her for assistance in getting out of an abusive relationship.

But this classmate was unsure of her legal avenues because her husband threatened to have her deported if she sought help.

Burke, not knowing that her friend was undocumented, provided her information about the Violence Against Women Act, which protects those in the country illegally, and her former classmate now has temporary status allowing her to remain in the United States and get other assistance.

Atlas:DIY also has run what is called Summer CAMP, or College Access for Migrant People, with Amherst families acting as hosts, helping immigrants and first-generation Americans through the college application process.

Two children who went through it now attend Hampshire College, and others have applied to Mount Holyoke College.

Burke said Amherst can lead the way in showing that immigrants will have respect.

“Amherst can be really be an example for other towns in the country,” Burke said.

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