Students, faculty and staff in the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic are ending the Spring quarter with great success at trial in two separate cases heard within the past few weeks in San Francisco Immigration Court.

Ben Good (’13) and Alan Drosdick (’13) represented Ms. T, a longtime lawful permanent resident (“green card” holder) of the United States originally from Taiwan facing deportation because of minor petty theft convictions.  Ms. T has lived in the United States for nearly three decades and has raised two U.S. citizen children here.  She is also a leader in her community having received numerous awards and other accolades for her work with children.  This quarter, building off the work of former IRC students Marcus Perkins (’12) and Adrian Garcia (’12), Ben and Alan worked tirelessly to defend Ms. T at her deportation trial before the San Francisco Immigration Court.  They prepared an extensive pre-hearing filing, which included declarations from their client and witnesses and other documentary evidence; they worked countless hours in preparing their client and witnesses to testify in Court (including preparing their direct and cross examinations); and they prepared opening and closing arguments to present to the judge.  Last week, after a lengthy trial before the San Francisco Immigration Court, the judge granted Ms. T’s request to allow her to keep her green card and remain in the United States indefinitely.  In granting Ms. T’s request, the judge applauded Ben, Alan, Marcus, and Adrian for their work before the Court.

Nayna Gupta (’13) and Julian Simcock (’13) represented Mr. J, a longtime lawful permanent resident (“green card” holder) of the United States with citizenship in Jordan.  Mr. J faced removal proceedings for two minor criminal convictions one of which took place over two decades ago and the other nearly ten years ago.  As a Palestinian refugee, Mr. J has made the U.S. his home and works tirelessly to provide for his wife and their U.S. citizen children.  This quarter, building off the work of Chris Skelton (’13), Nayna and Julian spent countless hours preparing for Mr. J’s trial before the San Francisco Immigration Court.  They prepared an extensive pre-hearing filing (including a pre-hearing brief) documenting their clients strong family, community and work ties; they prepared their client and witnesses to testify in Court (including preparing their direct and cross examinations); and they prepared opening and closing arguments to present to the judge.  This week, after a lengthy trial before the San Francisco Immigration Court, the judge granted Mr. J’s request to allow him to keep his green card and remain in the United States with his family.  The judge applauded Nayna and Julian for their excellent work in representing Mr. J.