LAW 7817 - Immigration: Representing Detained Immigrants

The class will explore the fundamentals of Removal (Deportation) Defense in Immigration court focusing on forms of relief from removal that are most applicable to detained immigrants. Students will be given hypothetical scenarios faced by detained immigrants who are seeking relief from removal, will work on issue spotting, red flags and how to determine the applicable relief. The class will explore best practices for interviewing vulnerable adults and children and how to best prepare them for their Individual Hearings (Trials) including assisting them with preparation of immigration applications, personal statements and evidence to support their claims for relief. Graduates of this class will have a working knowledge of applicable federal statutes and regulations, relevant Board of Immigration Appeals and 5th Circuit caselaw as Texas is in the 5th Circuit as well as how to interact with vulnerable, often afraid clients face to face so they can better assist detained immigrants in Texas. We will also discuss the many new developments under the current administration.