Law Clinics

Immigration Law Clinic

The Immigration Clinic connects students with real immigration cases, representing clients in proceedings that shape their futures.

About the Clinic

The Immigration Clinic gives students real-life lawyering experience advocating for clients navigating immigration proceedings. Students assist clients in immigration matters such as naturalization, adjustment of status, family reunification, employment benefits, deportation defense, and asylum cases before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and Immigration Court.

Practical Experience:

Conduct client interviewing and counseling
Develop case planning and implementation strategies
Perform legal research and draft briefs, motions, and legal documents
Advocate before administrative and judicial bodies
Serve as lead or co-counsel for clients
Act as primary contact for clients, courts, and agencies
Engage in community outreach and know-your-rights presentations

Essential Skills Development

Students develop critical lawyering skills including problem-solving, legal analysis and reasoning, factual investigation, oral and written communication, negotiation, litigation, and case management. The clinic emphasizes cross-cultural lawyering, trauma-informed practice, and recognizing ethical dilemmas—essential skills for representing low- and moderate-income immigrant communities.

Recent Impact & Victories

In the past year, the Immigration Clinic achieved significant results for clients and students:

Hosted 17 students, who provided over 5,000 hours of free legal services
Served 59 clients, including 10 children fighting deportation and 37 asylum seekers
Won four asylum cases, securing safety and path to citizenship for clients
Obtained interim benefits (including work authorization) for 26 of 27 eligible clients
Launched Client Support Project with Brown School for comprehensive services
Joined Immigrant Service Providers Network to strengthen community partnerships
Participated in an Asylum Pro Se Workshop with community organizations
Inspired 94% of students to continue pro bono immigration work after graduation

Client Testimonials

“They have been very kind and always keep me informed of my case. From the first day I contacted [them], [they] have been very good.”
“They are professional and friendly people.”
“They always keep me informed of any process.”
“It was a team effort and the team was very well organized. My case was carefully documented with all necessary supporting documents. The team worked with me and guided me along the way. I was informed in every step. The information given to me was satisfactory. All questions and concerns were promptly answered.”
“The team was very kind and helpful throughout the whole process. The attorney is well experienced and orchestrates the team to act as a productive whole.”

Student Voices

Hear from our community.

“My experience as a Student Attorney in the Immigration Law Clinic has been phenomenal. I applied for the Immigration Law Clinic because I am an immigrant myself. I was born and raised in Nigeria and I immigrated to Houston, Texas, at 14. Although I am fortunate to now be a U.S. citizen and I enjoyed a stress-free citizenship process, it has always been my goal to help others who are less fortunate with their immigration matters.”
Lola Awobokun
JD Class of 2020
“ILC has prepared me to be a better lawyer in many ways. First, I am a better listener. Second, my client interviewing skills, my time management, and writing have improved. Third, my emotional intelligence, attention to detail and problem-solving skills are stronger. In conclusion, ILC has given me real-world legal training that is transferable to all areas of my legal career.”
Lola Awobokun
JD Class of 2020
“Participating in the Immigration Law Clinic was an amazing opportunity! I gained real-world lawyering skills while simultaneously providing vital representation in immigration matters that are incredibly complex, stressful, and high-stakes. Not only do I feel like I’ve been able to make a tangible impact on people’s lives this semester, I feel like the ILC has given me a strong foundation to continue advocating on behalf of underserved immigrant-communities for the rest of my career.”
Lillian Levy