Law Clinic

Immigration And Deportation Defense Clinic

Western State College of Law’s Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic (Clinic) is a five-credit, one-semester course. Students enrolled in the clinic will directly represent real-life clients in a range of immigration matters under faculty supervision. While the clinic’s focus is on immigration law, the skills that students will be exposed to are critical for many practice areas.

Students will learn a range of core lawyering skills while providing direct representation to their clients. During the semester, students may exercise research, drafting, interviewing, client counseling, cross-cultural, trial skills, and more. Students will also learn about the process of lawyering, such as setting goals, planning, doing, reflecting, and making intentional choices in the face of uncertainty.

There will be four components to the Clinic including: 1) a seminar; 2) field work (casework and a project); 3) weekly supervision meetings; and, 4) case rounds.

Students enrolled in the clinic are required to attend a weekly two-hour seminar. The seminar classes will cover a range of topics from immigration law to substantive lawyering skills and case rounds (an opportunity for students to reflect on their fieldwork with other law students enrolled in the clinic). All five units of the seminar are graded.

Students will work on a range of immigration cases and projects, such as providing representation to persons who are detained and vulnerable to immediate deportation; youth that has been abused, neglected, or abandoned by both parents and are seeking relief before state courts and government agencies; and persons seeking post-conviction relief in the criminal legal system to prevent their deportation. Students will also work with community organizations on legal empowerment and advocacy projects such as providing legal information to pro se litigants unable to obtain legal representation while defending themselves against deportation at the Santa Ana Immigration Court.

Students interested in enrolling in the clinic require approval from the clinic director. If you are interested in learning more or applying to the Clinic, email Professor Sabrina Rivera at srivera@wsulaw.edu.

Student Testimonials

It has been an honor to be part of Western’s inaugural Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic. The Clinic is an invaluable experiential learning opportunity for students to apply the skills and knowledge they have learned in their doctrinal classes under the guidance of professors who are passionate about empowering their students to succeed.

– Elizabeth Tran
Class of 2024

I had the opportunity to work on a case this semester with a client in need of post-conviction relief. It was truly fascinating to navigate the intricate intersections between the state criminal justice system and the immigration courts. Through this experience, I gained valuable insights into the complexities of these legal processes and the profound impact they have on individuals’ lives.

– Hesley Gonzalez
Class of 2024

I am extremely grateful for my experience with Western State College of Law’s Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic and with Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project. I gained invaluable hands-on experience serving the needs of the underserved and vulnerable immigrant community. In addition to developing legal skills and knowledge, my team and I were able to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families in need.

– Monica Calvillo-Chou
Class of 2024

Latest Updates

Spring 2024 Immigration Clinic Students Represent Clients Before Courts and Immigration Agencies

The Immigration & Deportation Defense Clinic officially launched in Spring 2024! This semester ten dedicated students served as student attorneys in the Clinic, representing five clients on various immigration matters. These services span various immigration matters, addressing cases before immigration court, as well as juvenile, criminal, and probate courts throughout Orange County.

Additionally, under the guidance of adjunct professor Demis Camacho, launched a post-conviction relief project in which students provided direct representation to a client in seeking post-conviction relief in state court, to address a wrongful conviction triggering immigration consequences. The students also provided representation to the client before the immigration court to prevent the deportation of their client.

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Selected Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any course requirements for the Immigration Clinic?
Yes. Students must have taken, or be concurrently enrolled in, the following three classes in order to take the Immigration Clinic: Evidence, Professional Responsibility, and Civil Procedure II. Students must also be in good academic standing. To confirm students are in good standing, a copy of your unofficial transcript will be provided by the Registrar’s office after your application is received.

Do I have to speak a foreign language?
Not necessarily. The clinic will have interpreters and translators available if needed while representing the client or working with community organizations on projects.

I’m an evening/part-time student. Can I still take the Clinic?
Evening/part-time students may be admitted to the Clinic on a case-by-case basis. If you are an evening student, please speak with Prof. Rivera before submitting an application.

What does it mean to be certified by the State Bar of California to practice law?
Students enrolled in the clinic will be certified by the State Bar of California under the Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) program and allows them to practice law and provide legal services under the supervision of an attorney. To learn more about the PTLS rules, visit the California State Bar website here.

Faculty and Staff

Sabrina Rivera Dominguez
Assistant Clinical Professor of Law
Director, Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic

Demis Camacho
Adjunct Professor
Faculty Supervisor, Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic

Judy Ramos
Administrative Assistant
Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic

Community Members

If you are a community member searching for legal representation or assistance, please call (714) 459-1196 or email us at: wsclimmdefenseclinic@wsulaw.edu. You can also find representation by a private attorney by searching the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Attorney Directory or contacting your local bar association such as the Orange County Bar Association or Los Angeles County Bar Association.

The clinic also accepts cases on a referral basis from legal service providers and community organizations. We cannot provide representation to every person who contacts us because we are limited in our resources and operate on an academic calendar. If you would like to refer a case to our clinic, please email us at wsclimmdefenseclinic@wsulaw.edu.