In this clinic, students will represent low-income immigrants in matters relating to immigration status. Students will work directly with clients, representing individuals fleeing persecution, those facing deportation because of criminal convictions, and those who have been the targets of abusive enforcement practices. They may advocate before the Department of Homeland Security, the Baltimore Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals or in the federal courts. Clients may, in some cases, be detained by DHS. In addition, students will work on the clinic’s Access to Justice projects, which can include a citizenship workshop in collaboration with a grass roots organization. All work will be supervised directly by Clinic faculty. Students will have extensive client contact and build professional and collaboration skills in a litigation setting; learn immigration law and trial skills in the context of practice; explore issues of professional responsibility in client representation and the role of the attorney in providing access to the justice system; and look at wider issues of US immigration policy. Every week, students will have one seminar-style class, a class-wide meeting to workshop cases, and in addition, students will meet weekly with clinic faculty to discuss their ongoing client matters. Students’ grades will be based on the quality of their work, their professionalism (e.g., attention to ethical responsibilities; communication with and commitment to supervisors, colleagues, and clients; and compliance with deadlines); effort; improvement; initiative and resourcefulness; and willingness and ability to support their colleagues.

This clinic will be offered in fall 2024 and spring 2025 as a one-semester clinic for seven credits. All students enrolled in fall clinic will be required to attend in-person clinic orientation on Friday, August 23, 2024 and those enrolled in spring clinic will be required to attend in-person clinic orientation on Friday, January 10, 2025, in addition to any clinic-specific orientation that the professor may schedule.

Prerequisite or co-requisite: Immigration Law.