The Immigrants' Rights Clinic provides legal representation to immigrant communities in Chicago and around the country, including individual representation of immigrants in removal proceedings, immigration-related complex federal litigation, and policy and community education projects on behalf of community-based organizations. Students will interview clients, develop claims and defenses, draft complaints, engage in motion practice and settlement discussions, appear in federal, state, and administrative courts, and brief and argue appeals. In the policy and community education projects, students may develop and conduct community presentations, draft and advocate for legislation at the state and local levels and provide support to immigrants' rights organizations. Current projects include a high-profile national security habeas petition, a civil rights lawsuit against an Illinois County for violating the Illinois Way Forward Act prohibiting immigration detention in Illinois, a Seventh Circuit appeal regarding the definition of “crime of violence” under federal immigration law, a lawsuit on behalf of a father and son separated at the border as a result of the Trump Administration’s zero tolerance policy, and representation of refugees evacuated from Syria and Afghanistan, unaccompanied minors from Central America and human trafficking victims. 

Both 2L and 3L students are encouraged to apply. Students with questions may contact Professor Hallett at nhallett@uchicago.edu to learn more.