Students in the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic (“IRC”) finished up work on several significant projects on behalf of clinic clients this past quarter, as detailed below. Congratulations to all.

Aimee Krause (’13) successfully negotiated with a prosecutor to reduce the charges against Ms. S, an eighteen year old immigrant rape survivor.  Aimee also worked with Ms. S to develop her application for legal status through the U visa, based on a series of severe sexual assaults Ms. S suffered, beginning when she was fourteen years old, and her subsequent cooperation with law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of the perpetrator.  In order to prepare Ms. S’s filing, Aimee met with Ms. S’s family members, conducted intense factual investigation, and assembled numerous supporting documents.  Aimee and the Clinic were also required to advocate for Ms. S’s release from immigration detention during the course of the spring quarter.  Because of Aimee’s efforts, Ms. S was able to be released from custody back to her family, where she can continue receiving the support she needs to recover from the abuse she has suffered.

Sherri Hansen (’14) and Katherine Zhao (’14) successfully negotiated last week with the Department of Homeland Security to close immigration deportation proceedings in the case of their client, Mr. A.  The client is a young man from Guatemala who has been in the United States for a decade and works to support his family while simultaneously completing his education.  Sherri and Katherine prepared an application for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals for Mr. A, a new form of immigration relief announced by the Obama administration last summer.  In order to prepare the application, Sherri and Katherine conducted numerous interviews with Mr. A, gathered voluminous records, and assembled an extensive filing documenting Mr. A’s eligibility.

Lauren Tsuji (’14) and Katharine Wies (’14) successfully negotiated this week with the Department of Homeland Security to close immigration deportation proceedings in the case of their client, Mr. L.  The client is a young man from Mexico, who is facing deportation.  Mr. L has been in the United States since he was four years old and has experienced severe domestic abuse at the hands of his father, partly based on his sexual orientation.  Lauren and Kate prepared a U Visa application based on the abuse that Mr. L suffered, which is a form of relief for noncitizens who have been the victim of a crime and who have cooperated with the police in the investigation of that crime.  Lauren and Kate also filed an application for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals for Mr. L, which is a new form of immigration relief for young immigrants who have been to school in the United States and do not have any significant convictions.  In order to prepare these applications, Lauren and Kate conducted extensive client meetings, interviewed witnesses, engaged in factual investigation, and gathered supporting evidence to establish the client’s eligibility.

The IRC is directed by Professor Jayashri Srikantiah. Alison Kamhi serves as the Clinical Teaching Fellow, and Allie Thrall provides excellent assistance.