Immigration Studies

This course focuses on how to successfully work with immigrants and is the foundation for the program. Students will learn to contextualize the global migration phenomenon, demonstrate an understanding of the structure of government, sources of law and the immigration ecosystem, interview an immigrant, appreciate and be sensitive to cultural difference, draft professional documents, practice ethical advocacy for a client, and engage in self and communal care.

Students in this course will learn to conduct a thorough intake interview with a potential client, including drafting a thorough new client intake form to use to gather facts from clients during interviews; assess a client's case for eligibility for various immigration benefits; analyze new areas of the law to determine the elements that need to be proven; plan an immigration case; conduct legal research; establish eligibility for an immigration benefit including gathering facts and evidence to support the elements of the immigration benefit; prepare an application and supporting evidence for submission to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); maintain an office case file for a client (professional development); draft persuasive professional documents (applications, declarations, cover/argument letter); Engage in self- and communal- care; compile an application to become a DOJ partially accredited representative; (professional development); practice ethical service and advocacy for a client.

Students in the course will learn to conduct a removal hearing in immigration court; conduct a thorough intake interview with a potential client whose case is in removal proceedings, including drafting a thorough new client intake form to use to gather facts from clients during interviews; assess a client's case for eligibility for various forms of relief from removal/deportation; analyze new areas of the law to determine the elements that need to be proven; plan an immigration case for proceedings before an immigration court; establish eligibility for relief from removal, including gathering facts and evidence to support the elements of the form of relief; conduct legal research on immigration law; prepare an application and supporting evidence for submission to an immigration court; prepare a client and witnesses to testify in immigration court; draft and present an opening statement, closing argument and direct examination; maintain an office case file for a client; draft persuasive professional documents; compile an application to become a DOJ fully accredited representative; and practice ethical service and advocacy for a client.