Immigrants' Rights Clinic

The clinic is offered for 7 points: 3 points for the classroom component and 4 points for the casework component.

Immigration has become one of the most prominent political and human rights issues in the United States. There is no right to government-appointed legal counsel in U.S. immigration proceedings. Even children do not have a right to counsel in removal proceedings, and they are often forced to navigate the immigration court system alone, in a language they do not understand.

Through an intensive learning and working environment, student attorneys in the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic work with clinical faculty to develop lawyering and advocacy skills through direct client representation and cutting-edge projects related to immigration reform. Student attorneys take on significant case responsibilities on behalf of the most vulnerable immigrants who would otherwise face the deportation process without representation. Each student attorney handles significant case responsibilities. Our clients are from around the world.

The Clinic represents immigrants on their defenses to deportation, including asylum, withholding of removal, and U.N. Convention Against Torture claims. Student attorneys, working in pairs, assume primary responsibility for all aspects of individual case preparation, including interviewing clients and witnesses, investigating facts, drafting pleadings, motions practice and briefing, developing case strategies, conducting oral argument, leading negotiations, preparing witnesses, and performing legal research.

The Clinic also works in conjunction with or on behalf of national and local organizations that represent immigrants to further immigration reform. Student attorneys collaborate on projects involving regulatory and legislative reform, impact litigation, public education, grassroots advocacy, media work, strategic planning, and related matters.

The Immigrants’ Rights Clinic requires a time commitment averaging 21 hours of casework per week (3 hours for each credit) throughout the semester.