Refugee Law and Policy

This course will examine concepts underlying refugee and humanitarian protection afforded to various classes of immigrants, with an emphasis on United States law and policy. The majority of the course will focus on the law of asylum, a form of relief available to those refugees who have been persecuted in the past or fear future persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. A small portion of the course will be devoted to other types of humanitarian relief in the U.S., such as relief under the Convention of Torture; Temporary Protected Status for those who cannot be returned to their home country due to armed conflict or environmental disaster; and protection for victims of human trafficking, battered immigrants, victims of certain crimes, and abandoned or abused children. The course will also address issues related to the representation of asylum seekers, including the impact of psychological trauma and cross-cultural communication. Students will engage in experiential learning, for example by engaging in interviewing or oral argument exercises. Students will take an essay exam at the end of the semester. There is no prerequisite for this class, and no prior knowledge of immigration law is presumed.