Immigration Advocacy at the U.S. Supreme Court

During the 2023-2024 Term, the Binger Center for New Americans’ Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic (FILC) at Minnesota Law played a key part in the litigation of two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court: Campos-Chaves v. Garland, 144 S. Ct. 1637 (2024), and Department of State v. Muñoz, 144 S. Ct. 1812 (2024). Although the noncitizens did not prevail in the ultimate outcome, the cases drew sharp dissents, one of which included a direct citation by Justice Sotomayor to the brief authored by FILC. 

In this CLE, students will provide a first-hand account of litigating challenging cases before the Court that seek to protect and advance the rights of noncitizens nationally. In Campos-Chaves, FILC students participated in the drafting of the noncitizens’ merits brief, assisted in preparing co-counsel to present oral argument, and attended the arguments in person in Washington, D.C. In Muñoz, FILC authored an amicus brief on behalf of professors and scholars from across the country explaining the cultural significance of certain tattoos that law enforcement officers sometimes use to erroneously designate persons as active gang members, harming entire families and communities. This event is open to law students and members of the public. CLE credit has been applied for.