Immigration and Human Rights Clinic – 7842

The Immigration and Human Rights Clinic represents persons seeking asylum in the United States, as well as immigrant detainees at removal hearings in U.S. Immigration Court.  This clinic, which is part of the Center for New Americans, provides students with extensive client contact, legal writing, and courtroom advocacy experience. Students receive frequent and detailed feedback on all of their clinic work.

As part of their representation of asylum-seekers, students interview and counsel their clients on a regular basis, research conditions in the countries where their clients suffered persecution, write briefs and represent their clients in hearings at U.S. Immigration Court. Depending on the resolution of their case at the trial level, students will write appellate briefs to the Board of Immigration Appeals and the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.  Students also represent immigrant detainees at hearings in Immigration Court to determine if they have defenses to deportation.  Students also work on public policy and community outreach projects which bring them into contact with immigrant rights groups at the state and national level. As a result of their work in the clinic, students learn about U.S. immigration law and policy and participate in the Center for New Americans’ innovative strategies for improving the lives of immigrants through strategic litigation, well-informed public policy, and community outreach and education.

The clinic is a year-long course open to second and third-year students, beginning in the fall semester each year. Enrollment is generally limited to eight students.  Please contact Professor Stephen Meili at smeili@umn.edu (612-626-3972) with any questions.