Immigrants’ Rights Clinic
Overview
Students in the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic have full responsibility for defending clients against deportation in San Francisco Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the federal courts of appeals. As part of that work, students write complex legal briefs, argue cases, conduct fact investigation, interview witnesses and clients, and represent clients in mini-trials. Students also engage in cutting-edge litigation and advocacy in partnership with local and national immigrants’ rights organizations.
Latest Updates
Family Reunited After Clinic Secures Asylum For Client From Cameroon
The Immigrants’ Rights Clinic has represented Mr. T, a native of Cameroon who sought asylum in the United States after fleeing because of political persecution. Students Eric Rodriguez, ’20, Marika O’Connor Grant, ’20, and Neil Damron, ’20 worked from day one to engage in cutting-edge legal research and factual development that culminated in an 18-page legal brief and over 80 documents in support of Mr. T’s asylum application. Students Lizy Trujillo, ’20, and Alejandro Martinez-Inzunza, ’21, represented Mr. T before the San Francisco Asylum Office. Mr. T won his asylum case in 2020. After winning his asylum case, the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic filed petitions for his family members to be able to join him in the United States. In January 2021, the family was finally reunited in the Bay Area after enduring four years of separation.
IRC Wins Deportation Case
In March 2022, Ms. D, a mother and primary caretaker of her young grandchildren, won her deportation case after nearly two years of waiting for a decision from the Immigration Judge. Ms. D was represented by students Mariel Perez-Santiago, ’20, Elizabeth Hannah, ’20, Derin McLeod, ’20, and Kwan Kim, ’20. The students’ commitment to their client and diligent preparation for the hearing led to this incredible victory.
IRC Client and His Family Reunited After Over 20 Years
IRC clients, Mr. E and Mrs. E, reunited with their sons earlier this month after 20 years of separation. Mr. E’s immigration case went up and down throughout the various courts for over a decade. Thanks to the hard work of IRC students Hannah Coleman, ‘19, Yvette Borja, ‘18, Sophia Carrillo, ‘18, and David Huang, ‘19, Mr. E won his asylum case in [YEAR]. After winning asylum, the IRC assisted Mr. E with filing petitions for his wife, Mrs. E (who lived in the United States) and their children (who had been forced to remain in their home country). The family is now living together safely in the United States.
Protecting the Rights of Noncitizens
The Immigrants' Rights Clinic is committed to protecting the rights of noncitizens through advocacy, direct legal services, and partnerships with community organizations.
In the News
US Sanctions and the International Criminal Court
American Society of International Law
Beth Van Schaack spoke on the relationship between the US and the International Criminal Court at an event organized by the American Society of International Law on September 23.
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