Immigration Law Field Placements
The Immigration Law Field Placement course offers law students an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the practice of immigration law and advocacy. This experiential learning course places students in law firms or non-profit organizations, where they work under the direct supervision of licensed attorneys, with additional faculty supervision provided by the Executive Director of the Binger Center for New Americans.
Unlike the Binger Center’s immigration law clinics—where students typically work in-depth on a single case—field placements expose students to a wide range of legal tasks and responsibilities over the course of a semester. Students often work with multiple clients and engage with various areas of immigration law, while also gaining insight into the administrative and operational aspects of legal practice.
With guidance from faculty, students identify specific learning goals and meet regularly throughout the semester to reflect on their experiences. These reflections help students develop professional identity and consider the kind of lawyers they aspire to become.
Each semester, students in field placements collectively contribute over 1,000 hours of legal service to the community, furthering the Binger Center’s mission to expand access to justice and support the next generation of immigration advocates.
Eligibility and Placement Process
Field placements are open to second- and third-year J.D. students as well as LL.M. students. Students may apply after securing a law clerk position or may work with the field placement faculty advisor to identify an appropriate placement for academic credit. Academic credit is available for both paid and volunteer positions.
Students have the opportunity to work in a wide range of settings, from solo immigration law practices to large firms with ten or more attorneys. Many students also choose to work with one of the Binger Center’s nonprofit partners, including:
- The Advocates for Human Rights
- Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
- Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
Learn more about enrolling in the Immigration Law Field Placement Course
