Immigration Clinic

FAQ

• What happens in the classroom component?

  Discussion of immigration benefits and relief from removal, discussion of the practical aspects of representing immigration clients and being an immigration attorney and case rounds.  Each student does a presentation on an immigration benefit and on an ethics issue.

• What do students learn in this clinic?

  Time, case, and client management; how to work with clients from diverse backgrounds; how to work with clients who have suffered trauma and dislocation; how to marshal and present facts persuasively in affidavits, application materials, and administrative hearings. This clinic also introduces students to lawyers and others in the immigration practice community.

• When is this clinic offered?

  Every fall and spring semester. Students may enroll in the Immigration Clinic in the summer for credit, but only if they have either already completed the classroom component in a previous semester or are planning to enroll in the subsequent fall.

• How many credits?

  2-3

• Are students permitted or encouraged to take this clinic for additional semesters?

  Yes, due to the nature of immigration law, it is common for students to take an additional semester to continue working on their cases.

• Are there any required or recommended pre-requisites?

  Professional Responsibility is a pre-requisite. Advocacy  and the Immigration Law or prior experience in an immigration law firm are strongly encouraged.  Students may take Immigration Law and the Immigration Law Clinic at the same time.  In order to enroll in the clinic, students must get prior approval from the instructor.

• Can students with full-time jobs take this clinic?

  Students must be available at least two full days per semester to appear in detain court; at least once a week for a two-hour supervision meeting with the supervising professor; and as needed for meetings with clients and casework. The timing of client meetings and weekly supervision meetings is flexible.

• Can students who live outside the Twin Cities take this clinic?

  Yes.

• Who should take this clinic?

  Students with a desire to work with immigrant communities; students interested in pursuing a career in immigration law; and students interested in working in the area of domestic violence.