Students in this course are trained to represent immigrant clients under faculty supervision and argue cases in the Immigration Court and before the Newark and New York Asylum Offices on behalf of refugees fleeing persecution in their home countries and seeking safety in the United States. The seminar portion of the course will use simulations to enhance interviewing, counseling, and litigation skills. Students will build skills such as interviewing, researching and writing declarations and briefs, fact development, some trial advocacy, as well as working with survivors of torture and trauma, cultural awareness, and engaging with interpreters. Students will learn about the substantive law and procedure of immigration, refugee, and asylum law and will receive instruction on immigrant access to public benefits. Guest speakers and visits to Immigration Court to and detention centers to observe proceedings will further strengthen students’ knowledge.

Under faculty supervision, students will interview and counsel clients; conduct fact investigation and discovery; draft pleadings, correspondence, and motions; perform legal research and analysis; collaborate with social work professionals and country conditions experts; engage with interpreters; and appear with clients before the Immigration Courts and at the Asylum Offices. Students will also engage in community outreach through Know-Your-Rights presentations and systemic advocacy. Students may also work to develop resources for courts, attorneys, and clients related to immigration law or collateral immigration consequences in other areas. The precise work conducted during the semester will depend on clients who need representation and the posture of these cases.

In this upper-level clinic, students will be trained to represent immigrant clients under faculty supervision and argue cases in the Immigration Court and before the Newark and New York Asylum Offices on behalf of refugees fleeing persecution in their home countries and seeking safety in the United States. In addition to the fieldwork, students will attend a weekly seminar. Students are expected to regularly devote a minimum of 16 hours per week to the course.

Approved for the Experiential Learning Requirement. Enrollment is limited. Registration is binding. Application and interview are required, and the application can be found on the Office of Clinical and Experiential Learning section of the NYLS Portal.

Recommended for the following Professional Pathways: Government/Public Sector; Immigration; International Law/Human Rights; General Practice – Litigation/Dispute Resolution

Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Immigration Law.

If taken as a co-requisite, the course should be taken concurrently with the clinic in the fall semester. Requirement may be waived by clinic faculty.

8 Credits: Full Year Course
Fall: 4 credits
Spring: 4 credits