A Story of Resilience, Representation, and Empathy in Immigration Law
In a field where immigration law presents complex challenges, Professor Sabrina Rivera stands out as a beacon of hope and empowerment. As Assistant Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic at Western State College of Law, Professor Rivera brings a unique personal experience, professional dedication, and empathy to her work. Her inspirational path from a first-generation Latina student to a strong advocate for immigrant rights exemplifies the power of resilience and the importance of representation.
A Daughter of Immigrants: The Inspiration that Drove Her Passion
Professor Rivera’s story began well before she began her legal education. Born to parents who sought a better life in the United States, her early life was shaped by the challenges of being the child of immigrants. “My parents came here to this country seeking a better life for themselves,” she recalls. The choice of her parents to build a life in the United States opened many doors of opportunity for Professor Rivera.
It was not until Professor Rivera entered law school that she fully grasped the difficulties of the immigration system. “I didn’t know how much the immigration legal system had impacted my parents’ lives until I actually went to law school and started learning about immigration law,” she says. This realization fueled her desire to pursue a career in immigration law, where she could understand the challenges her parents faced and work to alleviate those burdens for others.
Educating the Next Generation of Lawyers
As the director of the Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic at Western State, Professor Rivera has a significant role in influencing the next generation of lawyers. She stresses the importance of empathy in legal practice, particularly when working with vulnerable clients during the most challenging times of their lives. Under Professor Rivera’s guidance at the clinic, students have the opportunity to connect with their clients and learn the true meaning of empathy for individuals with diverse life experiences. Professor Rivera states, “They are fighting to stay here to have a better life, and our students learn not just to discover empathy but to demonstrate and practice it through direct representation of real clients.”
Professor Rivera finds the hands-on experience that students are given at the clinic to be of great importance to law students. It allows students to learn to think like a lawyer and understand what it means to be a lawyer, particularly in the challenging field of immigration law. Through the clinic, students are exposed to the harsh realities faced by immigrants and are encouraged to step up and fill the gap in legal representation. “There is a severe shortage of lawyers to help people navigating immigration cases, especially those in removal proceedings,” Professor Rivera notes. “It offers a unique opportunity for law students and future attorneys committed to social justice to step up and defend the rights of immigrants in need.”
Representation as a Woman Law Professor from the Latinx Community
Professor Rivera understands the importance of her role as one of the few women law professors in the Latinx community, representing just 1.6% of the law professors in the United States. She emphasizes the importance of students seeing someone from a similar background who has succeeded in the field, as it serves as a reminder that they can also find success in a challenging field. Professor Rivera is dedicated to serving as a resource for first-generation students who are the first in their families to attend law school.
Creating Pathways for Clients in the Immigration Clinic
Under the leadership of Professor Rivera, the Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic was launched in spring 2024, and operates with a dual mission: to provide students with practical legal experience, and to deliver strong legal representation for clients in need. This dual focus prepares students for their future careers while making a real difference in the lives of the clients they represent.
Last semester, students worked on a case for a teenage client seeking immigration relief that required representation in state and immigration courts. The teenager fled abuse and neglect in their home country, arriving in the United States as an unaccompanied minor. Without the clinic’s support, the child would have faced the daunting immigration system alone, with little hope of securing the legal status needed to stay in the U.S. “Without the students, [the child] wouldn’t have had a lawyer,” Sabrina says. Thanks to the clinic students’ efforts, this young person has now secured a path to making the United States their home, a dream that once seemed impossibly out of reach.
Looking Forward: Encouraging Tomorrow’s Leaders
Reflecting on her journey as a first-generation student and her work with the clinic, Professor Rivera advises first-generation students and aspiring lawyers to gain early legal experience. “In law school, students feel that all they have to do is learn how to think like a lawyer and pass the bar, but it’s also about developing your professional identity and gaining practical experience doing the legal work you imagine yourself doing after you graduate,” she says. She encourages students to gain practical experience through clinics, externships, internships, or pro bono work throughout their law school experience.
Professor Rivera draws her greatest strength from the intersection of her personal history, professional expertise, and cultural identity. Her work goes beyond teaching law; it involves empowering students, advocating for justice, and ensuring equitable legal representation for everyone. Professor Rivera’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have with passion, empathy, and a deep commitment to their community. Her journey highlights the importance of representation, the value of mentorship, and the transformative power of education and advocacy.
Commitment to Student Success
Western State College of Law is an ABA-accredited law school and proudly stands as one of the most affordable law schools in California. It is listed as one of the top law schools offering a part-time program in the US News and World Report Rankings, a program that makes it easier for people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life to pursue a career in law. Professors like Sabrina Rivera exemplify Western State’s dedication to preparing our students for successful legal careers.
