Akron Law’s Immigration and Human Rights Clinic is accepting applications for the Summer 2017 session and the Fall 2017 semester. The Summer and Fall clinics are different. Please see the descriptions below.
Summer 2017 Immigration Advocacy Clinic:
No Prerequisites or prior experience necessary; No application necessary; Registration is open and unrestricted; Open to part-time students;
The summer session of the Immigration Clinic is an introductory clinic experience. Students are introduced to the practice of immigration removal defense in a detained setting. Under the professor’s supervision, each student will provide pro se assistance for individuals detained in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Students will learn elements of immigration court procedure, client interviewing and counseling skills, trial advocacy skills, legal research and writing in the civil, administrative context, and the fundamentals of asylum as a defense to removal. The clinic consists of both a classroom and fieldwork component. Class will meet for one hour per week. Students will assist with presenting know your rights presentations at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center and Geauga County jail, and will conduct research for a practice advisory that will be published by the American Bar Association’s Commission on Immigration. The summer clinic will culminate with an opportunity to volunteer at a family detention center.
No application or prerequisites are necessary to register for the summer Immigration Advocacy Clinic.
Fall 2017 Immigration & Human Rights Law Clinic:
Prerequisite: Immigration Law, Asylum & Refugee Law, or Summer Immigration Advocacy Clinic
Application and interview required for registration; 2Ls or 3Ls only;
The Immigration & Human Rights Clinic introduces students to the practice of immigration removal defense with a focus on asylum as a form of relief for individuals seeking protection from persecution in their home countries. Under the professor’s supervision, students will work in teams of two to provide direct representation for an individual seeking asylum while detained in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Students will learn immigration court procedure, client interviewing and counseling skills, trial advocacy skills, legal research and writing in the civil, administrative context, and the fundamentals of asylum as a defense to removal. Students will become familiar with essential asylum case law and will advocate for their clients before a U.S. Immigration Judge. The clinic consists of both a classroom and fieldwork component. Students will draft a pre-hearing brief, a direct examination, closing arguments, and prepare all necessary motions and applications for submission to the court. Students will also help conduct “know-your-rights” presentations for groups of detainees. The clinic will require frequent visits to the Geauga County Jail and appearances at the Cleveland Immigration Court.
If you are interested in participating in this full-time clinic, please email Professor Knowles for an application (eknowles@uakron.edu). Please note that registration for the fall clinic is by professor approval only, and will be determined after candidates are interviewed. Posted registration deadlines do not apply to the Fall Immigration Clinic.
Please submit the following to Professor Knowles via email by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2017:
1) Your completed application;
2) Your updated resumé; and
3) Your complete Fall 2017 weekly schedule including all classes and commitments in Excel table format;
Professor Knowles will conduct in-person or Skype interviews the week of May 15-19 and you will be notified regarding your space in the clinic on Monday, May 22.