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Asylum Law

Course Description

This seminar addresses the United States’ humanitarian endeavor to provide legal relief and protection to victims of persecution and torture. The seminar is both substance- and skill-based. It will be co-taught by two attorneys with extensive asylum litigation experience: a leading immigration attorney from the private bar and a recently-retired U.S. Department of Justice Senior Litigation Counsel. Students will grapple with the following fundamental questions:

  • what are the international bases of U.S. humanitarian protection law?
  • what are the contours of the protection the U.S. provides?
  • how does procedural access affect the scope of protection?
  • is there a need for cross-border relief and protections?
  • is current U.S. law adequate to meet the need for protection and the country’s protection obligations?

    Seminar students will demonstrate mastery of asylum law issues by writing and refining a mock appellate brief and by presenting mock oral argument in a federal court case before a panel of practicing attorneys. Additionally, each student will serve as a class expert as to a particular aspect of asylum law. There will not be a final examination. This course complements the immigration law survey course, administrative law, and the work of the Chacón Center immigration clinics.

    • Current and Previous Instructors

    Key to Codes in Course Descriptions

    P: Prerequisite
    C: Prerequisite or Concurrent Requirement
    R: Recommended Prior or Concurrent Course

    Currently Scheduled Sections

    CRN: 99617

    • 539u

    • Materials to be posted on Blackboard or distributed in class

      AILA's Asylum Primer

      ISBN: 978-1-57370-511-0 Print edition (preferred) or online subscription

      Students have free access through law school's library database and may but are not required to purchase print edition.

      The Winning Oral Argument: Enduring Principles with Supporting Comments

      ISBN: 978-0-314-19885-3 Print edition (preferred) or online subscription

      This book will be useful in preparing for oral argument/final exam.