DCSIMG

Immigration Law Clinic

When Offered

Offered during both the Fall and Spring semesters.

Goal of Clinic

The Immigration Law Clinic provides a practical skills experience in client interviewing, identifying legal issues, providing legal advice and advocacy. Clinic students interview and counsel clients, as well as prepare declarations, legal briefs and supporting exhibits in their representation of clients before the Department of Homeland Security and the Executive Office for Immigration Review in applications for various immigration benefits including adjustment of status and relief from removal. The Clinic works with underserved non-citizens below the poverty level.

Structure of Clinic

Each enrolled student will handle a variety of actual cases and will represent clients under the direct supervision of an immigration attorney. Case work will be complemented by a required weekly seminar. The Clinic is located on campus in the Muddox Building. Students will be certified by the California State Bar under the Practical Training of Law Students Program.

Prerequisites for Enrollment

A written application is required for this Clinic. Acrobat PDF Download the application.

To qualify for the Immigration Law Clinic, a student must be an upper-division student in good standing. Enrollment in the Immigration class or successful completion of the Immigration class is a prerequisite. In addition, a student must be enrolled in, or have successfully completed, Evidence and Civil Procedure in order to meet the California State Bar certification requirements.

Acrobat PDF Download the Clinic general information sheet.

Instructor

The Immigration Clinic is taught by Blake Nordahl, lecturer in law. Professor Nordahl served as an attorney advisor for the Immigration Court in San Diego and has maintained a private immigration practice for seven years. For more information, contact Professor Nordahl.

Unit Credit and Limit on Enrollment

This is a one-semester Clinic for two pass/fail units. The law student shall engage in client representation and attend seminars for a total of 100 hours. Enrollment in the Immigration Clinic is limited to six students.

Why This Clinic is Valuable

The Clinic represents non-citizens who otherwise would be unable to obtain legal representation. The Clinic provides in-depth practical training where students have an opportunity to work closely with real clients and implement and develop their lawyering skills. Students work on cases at each stage from the initial consultation to final resolution.