Ever since the Trump administration unveiled the first executive order on immigration, there has been an increasing need for attorneys to provide legal services to the immigrant community. As a result of this demand, Illinois Law has partnered with local non-profit legal service organization the Immigration Project, to provide a series of four continuing legal education (CLE) trainings on immigration law. The CLE trainings aim to educate local attorneys and students who are willing to provide pro bono services, so that they may assist with various immigrant client needs.
The first training, scheduled for April 3rd, will provide an overview on the basics of immigration law and the second training, on April 10th, will focus more specifically on representation of immigrants who have been victims of violent crimes. The remaining two CLE trainings have yet to be scheduled, but all of them will take place at the College of Law and are free and open to the public (registration required).
The Immigration Project has worked closely with Illinois Law in other capacities as well, most recently as a collaborator on our Domestic Violence-Immigration Clinic (DVIC). DVIC students work with lawyers from the Immigration Project to develop, investigate, and complete applications for U-visas, VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) self petitions, and asylum for adult and youth victims of domestic violence and related traumas.
Alumni and current students alike speak highly of their experiences in the DVIC.
"Working with DV victims was extremely rewarding, eye-opening and at times, inspiring. I was able to bond with my clients, even if for a brief time, listen to their story, and hopefully help them and their families get away from an abusive situation. At times, I thought this work was hard – sometimes I felt helpless, and frustrated with the system, and angry with abusive partners, but most of the time, I was inspired by the clients’ stories and their courage to come forward, and hopeful that I was making some small positive impact." - Kasey Altantulkhuur ' 18
"Participating in a law school clinic is a wonderful opportunity to begin gaining the real world skills of advising clients and appearing in court. Many of us, myself included, believe we have an obligation to be using our degrees in a way that gives back to those who are in desperate need of free legal aid. If that's your calling, I can promise you that the clinic is one of the best ways to start giving back, and the gratitude you will see on your client's faces when you secure an order of protection is an amazing feeling." - Julia Argentieri '10
"Many undocumented immigrants don’t speak up or leave abusive situations because they don’t think they have another option, they can put up with it or return to their countries. Clinics like ours being there to serve such an underrepresented and ignored population helps highlight other options. I chose this clinic because it was this type of work that made me apply to law school." - Matt Weber '17
Learn more about the Domestic Violence-Immigration Clinic.
Learn more about the April 3 CLE: Immigration 101 - A Brief Introduction to Immigration Law.
Learn more about the April 10 CLE: Representing Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence and Other Qualifying Crimes: U Nonimmigrant Visa and I-360 VAWA Self-Petition.