The USC Immigration Clinic

by Sam Yebri (3L)

[yebri@usc.edu]

(1) Description of the Clinic:

In a city shaped by immigrants, the USC Immigration Clinic offers students an unparalleled opportunity to help members of the community and gain first-hand legal experience. The Immigration Clinic provides representation to clients in a variety of different types of cases, ranging from asylum claims by people who fear persecution if returned to their homes to claims for relief from deportation filed by people held at regional INS detention centers. You also have the opportunity to represent clients seeking relief under the Violence Against Women Act, which enables male and female immigrants to file their own claims for permanent immigration status if they are being abused by a spouse or parent who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Many of the Clinic's clients are victims of torture, including rape, or other forms of severe violence. In some of the cases the client's life or freedom is at stake.

The Clinic has also established a pilot project to provide immigration legal advice to migrant farmworkers in northern San Diego County, where some Clinic students can choose to travel to northern San Diego County once or twice a month on a Saturday or on a Wednesday evening. Client availability, DHS (USCIS, ICE, CBP) and Immigration Court logistics, and, to the extent possible, the individual student's area of interest, will determine the type and number of cases on which a student will work. Students will represent clients before the Immigration Court, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (formerly the “INS”), and possibly the federal courts. Student representation is provided pursuant to DHS and Justice Department student practice rules under the supervision of Professor Frenzen.

Client referral relationships exist between the Clinic and several other organizations including:

• The Program for Torture Victims
• Public Counsel
• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
  

(2) What You Do:

The Immigration Clinic is a full year course, requiring enrollment in both Fall and Spring semesters (keep in mind that this may pose a scheduling conflict with a second semester class or externship).

The Clinic meets in a classroom setting once per week. Students also meet on a weekly basis with Professor Frenzen for case review. Attendance at class and other meetings is mandatory. Additionally, there is a mandatory four-hour Orientation Session that will occur during the first week of the Fall semester that will provide information on office procedures, the case management program, and other introductory material.

The classroom component of the Clinic provides students with an understanding of the relevant substantive law and with the skills necessary to represent a client. In addition to the weekly class, Clinic students will need to commit approximately 20 hours per week to client work, Clinic office duties, and weekly case review meetings with Professor Frenzen.

Enrollment in the Clinic is limited to eight students. Prior or concurrent enrollment in Immigration Law would be helpful, but Immigration Law is not a prerequisite. Students who are not U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents should discuss their immigration status with Professor Frenzen before enrolling in the Clinic.

The Clinic is four units per semester. The Fall Semester of the Clinic is graded on a CR/D/F basis, while the Spring Semester of the Clinic may be taken for a letter grade or on a CR/D/F basis. There is no final examination either semester. Feel free to contact Professor Frenzen if you have additional questions about the Clinic. He can be reached at nfrenzen@law.usc.edu or 213-740-8933.

Finally, the Immigration Clinic is a truly great way to make a real impact in the lives of immigrants who want to live in the United States by honing the skills you are developing in law school with the help of one of USC’s most patient and gifted professors. And like anything else in life, the Clinic is what you make of it and what you want to do with it. From arguing a case on its merits in Immigration Court to writing a Ninth Circuit appellate brief to interviewing clients, Professor Frenzen will encourage you to challenge yourself and will help you along every step of the way.