Justice and Immigration Clinic Updates
Presidential executive orders regarding immigration prompted College of Law alumni and faculty members to go to Los Angeles International Airport in late January to provide legal services for affected travelers.
University of La Verne College of Law and Justice and Immigration Clinic (JIC) alumni Noreen Barcena, Ariadna Tajoya, and Imran Syed went to LAX, along with Professors Diane Klein and Diane Uchimiya.
Legal challenges throughout the country resulted in issuance of temporary restraining orders.
President Donald Trump issued three executive orders addressing immigration enforcement, border security, and anti-terrorism during his first three weeks in office. Even before issuing the orders, immigrant communities sought information about what to do and how to prepare for a crackdown on immigration enforcement.
Students and community members petitioned their institutions and municipalities to become a “sanctuary” for undocumented immigrants. Sanctuary policies are designed and adopted so that the institution or government entity does not become a tool for enforcement of federal immigration laws.
Students participating in the Justice and Immigration Clinic serve the community, working with their professor and attorneys to create presentations to communities in the Inland Empire and surrounding areas about new immigration laws, immigration enforcement priorities, and practices. The clinic also provides DACA and know-your-rights presentations.
With volunteer attorneys and partner organizations, the clinic will assist in providing consultations and referrals to reputable immigration attorneys and nonprofit organizations. Through the Office of Community Engagement, the clinic developed a partnership with a grass roots community organization. The clinic has already presented at the University of La Verne and jointly with the Mexican Embassy and other attorneys at Cal State Dominguez Hills. More information sessions are planned throughout the semester.
