Completion of one year of law school.

For all students: Immigration Law; For 6-unit students: Evidence, Legal Profession, Basic Trial

This in-house clinic provides students with the opportunity to assist directly and (if taken for 4 or 6 units) to represent immigrants.  All students participate in a clinic for immigrant workers in which they conduct interviews, help workers evaluate their options, and, in some cases, provide brief services.  Services provided include negotiations with employers, assistance with filing charges with agencies that enforce employment laws (EEOC, NLRB, State Wage Commissioner, etc), and referrals.   In addition, 4 unit students may assist immigrants in affirmative applications for asylum, visas for victims of domestic violence or crime, or requests for prosecutorial discretion. 

Six unit students will also work in pairs to represent one immigrant in a deportation defense case, either in Tucson or Eloy.  Typically, the client will be a legal permanent resident seeking a humanitarian waiver of removal, a political asylum applicant, or a victim of battery or other abuse.  If the case is in Eloy, students will travel to the detention center (about one hour away) for client work and the final hearing.  The students will prepare all aspects of the case, including brief-writing, preparing and conducting direct and cross examination of the client and witnesses, and closing argument.    

The minimum time commitment is 50 hours per unit.

Immigration and Nationality Act; Immigration Law Clinic Training Manual

Initial 8-10 hour training followed by biweekly sessions of 1.5 hours each.  Students go to the local immigration court early in the semester to observe proceedings and record observations.  Students participate in the Immigrant Workers Project legal clinics on several Wednesday evenings from approximately 5 pm to 7:30 p.m.  All students engage in follow-up work with clients on their own time.  Six-unit students should reserve Friday mornings for client interviews in Eloy.

Legal writing (e.g., motions and briefs) assigned as necessary for casework.  Students must also complete a few worksheets associated with the classroom component.   

None

Students are evaluated based on the quality of their casework and their participation in the classroom component. There are no exams.

Limited to four 6-unit students.  Fluent Spanish speakers preferred. Professors’ approval required prior to enrollment.