Center News
Prof. Linus Chan Honored for Outstanding Contributions to Immigrant Justice
The National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild is honoring Professor Linus Chan for outstanding contributions to the cause of immigrant justice.
Chan will be recognized as the group’s 2020 Member Honoree during the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s Virtual Conference on Wednesday, July 22.
3L Paul Dimick, Mary Georgevich ’18 Awarded Equal Justice Works Fellowships
3L Paul Dimick and Mary Georgevich ’18 have been awarded prestigious Equal Justice Works Fellowships to provide advocacy and education assistance to immigrants.
Dimick will work with the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota, where he will represent low-income immigrants in detention. He also plans to develop a Federal Habeas Corpus Manual for other attorneys representing detained non-citizens.
Law Students, Alums on Frontlines of Aiding Asylum Seekers
Minnesota Law students and alumni have been on the frontlines of protecting the rights of asylum seekers in a challenging political climate.
While a number of legal actions have been brought against various aspects of the “zero tolerance” immigration policy, some of the most poignant stories have come from asylum seekers. Some are locked in jail-like detention facilities under harsh physical conditions; some are trapped at the border waiting endlessly for a chance for a hearing; and some have already been returned to the lands that they fled without a ever having had a hearing.
Students Experience ‘Profoundly Human Stories’ of Immigration and Detention in Louisiana
In January, students and staff of the James H. Binger Center for New Americans traveled to Alexandria, Louisiana, for what has become an annual service trip to work with immigration detainees in rural communities. Previously, the Binger Center worked with detainees in Arizona and Texas. This trip included students from the Binger Center’s Detainee Rights Clinic and the Asylum Law Project.
Students Experience ‘Profoundly Human Stories’ of Immigration and Detention in Louisiana
In January, students and staff of the James H. Binger Center for New Americans traveled to Alexandria, Louisiana, for what has become an annual service trip to work with immigration detainees in rural communities. Previously, the Binger Center worked with detainees in Arizona and Texas. This trip included students from the Binger Center’s Detainee Rights Clinic and the Asylum Law Project.
Immigration and Human Rights Clinic Helps Honduran Woman Win Asylum
On Feb. 12, U.S. Immigration Judge Audrey Carr granted asylum to a Honduran woman who is a client of the Law School’s Immigration and Human Rights Clinic.
While working as a transit police officer in Honduras, the client refused to accept bribes from gangs who sought to procure drivers licenses for their members and information about police operations. Because she refused to comply, the client was threatened by the gang and eventually she and her family were attacked by gunmen at their home. The client fears that if she returns to Honduras, she will be killed.
Immigration and Human Rights Clinic Helps Honduran Woman Win Asylum
On Feb. 12, U.S. Immigration Judge Audrey Carr granted asylum to a Honduran woman who is a client of the Law School’s Immigration and Human Rights Clinic.
While working as a transit police officer in Honduras, the client refused to accept bribes from gangs who sought to procure drivers licenses for their members and information about police operations. Because she refused to comply, the client was threatened by the gang and eventually she and her family were attacked by gunmen at their home. The client fears that if she returns to Honduras, she will be killed.
Students Argue, Win Immigration Appeal Before Sixth Circuit
Three University of Minnesota law students are effectively pushing back against potential executive overreach, arguing and winning an important case at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. The case, Jasso Arangure v. Whitaker, was decided in late December. The legal issue in Jasso was whether “res judicata,” a legal principle intended to prevent relitigation of cases between the same parties over the same issues, applies at the administrative level of an immigration proceeding.
Rural Immigrant Access Clinic Launched; Law School’s 25th Clinic
The Law School just launched a new clinic designed to provide legal assistance to the growing number of immigrants living in rural areas.
Prof. Steve Meili Named Inaugural James H. Binger Professor in Clinical Law
Associate Professor Steve Meili has been named the inaugural James H. Binger Professor in Clinical Law.
Meili, who entered law teaching in 1991, joined the Law School faculty in 2008 as a clinical professor. He received tenure as an associate professor in 2018.