Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic – 7042

The Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic is part of the James H. Binger Center for New Americans and will teach second and third year students to effectively represent clients in federal impact immigration litigation. The clinic lasts a full academic year. Cases may include appellate litigation before the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals, U.S. Supreme Court, and Board of Immigration Appeals, as well as litigation before U.S. District Courts and immigration courts. Cases may deal with asylum and related issues, challenges to the unlawful detention of immigrants, as well as the intersection of immigration and criminal law. Students will also learn about the substance and process of immigration policy making, at both the legislative and administrative levels, and may engage in immigration policy outreach and advocacy projects that advance the Binger Center's priorities for systemic change in immigration law.

Through classroom instruction and case supervision, and working in case teams, students will learn substantive immigration law, administrative and federal rules of procedure, and a broad range of skills important to the effective representation of clients in federal immigration litigation, including: client contact and communication, case management, legal writing and drafting, oral advocacy, courtroom skills, legal ethics, communications and negotiations with opposing counsel, case analysis / vehicle selection, and case strategy / coordination with co-counsel, allies, amici, and media. Interested students can reach out to the clinic's director, Professor Nadia Anguiano, or to Professor Seiko Shastri.

Additional Commitments: In addition to the weekly seminar session, students will participate in weekly team meetings with their supervising faculty attorney, at which they will lead case planning and document case progress. Students will be responsible for scheduling and performing all case work on behalf of their clients, outside of team meeting and seminar periods, and in collaboration with other clinic students on their case team.

What to expect when working on cases and with clients: The pace and demands of individual cases will vary according to deadlines set by the courts, and the nature of each case. Students should expect and be prepared to engage in demanding legal research and writing projects.

NOTE: This course requires certification pursuant to the student practice rule and is open to JD students only.