Immigration Law Field Clinic

Catalog description

Students will work in various community-based nonprofit organizations assisting attorneys who provide direct client service in matters including applications for asylum; applications for permanent residence (including self-petitions by victims of domestic violence); applications for T visas (for trafficking victims) and U visas (for victims of crime); special immigrant juvenile applications; and applications for U.S. citizenship. Responsibilities will include preparing memoranda of law, drafting affidavits, completing immigration forms, performing intake, and meeting with clients. The seminar, taught by an experienced immigration attorney and adjunct professor, will meet once a week and will provide students with an overview of immigration law and the various government agencies involved in its administration; include opportunities to build skills (such as statutory interpretation and interview skills) and discuss substantive law and ethical issues; and give students the chance to share and reflect on their experiences. Externs will be matched with host organizations based on areas of interest, experience, and host needs. Placement options are expected to include the following: Catholic Charities, http://www.catholiccharitiesny.org/what-we-do/welcoming-and- integrating-imigrants-and-refugees/welcome-overview/; The City Bar Justice Center, http://www2.nycbar.org/citybarjusticecenter/projects/immigrant-justice/; CONNECT, http://www.connectnyc.org/; Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, http://www.hias.org/; The Legal Aid Society, Immigration Law Unit, http://www.legal- aid.org/en/civil/civilpractice/immigrationlawunit.aspx; The New York Legal Assistance Group, http://www.nylag.org/immigrant-protection-unit; Sanctuary for Families, http://www.sanctuaryforfamilies.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14 1&Itemid=164