2007-2008 Immigration Law Clinic News Highlights

• "Thank You Lawyer!"
  In June, Karl Smith ('09) defended an elderly Cambodian man against deportation. Karl’s client entered the U.S. as a refugee in 1982, and is now a permanent resident. He faced deportation for a 13-year old theft conviction; he has no other criminal history. He shares a close relationship with his ex-wife, also a permanent resident, and his daughters, two of whom are U.S. citizens, and one who is a permanent resident. The Immigration Judge gave a moving decision from the bench, acknowledging the evidence Karl had submitted, as well as the client's court testimony. After the hearing, Karl’s client said to him, in English, which he does not speak well, "Thank you lawyer!"
• Another Immigration Court Victory for the 2007 – 2008 Immigration Law Clinic
  In April, Kelsey Beckner ('09) and Aimee Decker ('09) successfully represented their Immigration Law Clinic client, a long-time green card holder from Vietnam, against deportation. The Immigration Judge and the government attorney met with Kelsey and Aimee after the hearing, and were effusive in their compliments, describing the level of detail Kelsey and Aimee elicited on direct as "sophisticated" and rare even among attorneys who have been practicing for years.
• Signe Dortch heads up Immigration Law Clinic - UW Law Spring '08
• 2008 Immigration Law Clinic Celebrates its First Victory
  On March 11, 2008, Julieanna Elegant (’09) and Rosario Daza (’08) successfully represented their first client (at the first merits hearing for the 2008 Immigration Law Clinic) in her asylum application before the Immigration Judge. They successfully argued in open court that their client was not ineligible for asylum even though she submitted her application more than one year after the date of her entry into the U.S. (typically a bar to asylum).
• Reception Kicks off 2008 Immigration Law Clinic
  On February 4, 2008, Lane Powell hosted a reception celebrating the start of the 2008 Immigration Law Clinic.  Keynote speaker Congressman Jim McDermott reminded attendees that defending immigrants has never been more critical.  Thank you to Bailadores de Bronce for their entertaining dance tour of Mexico’s culturally rich states, and to Lane Powell and the Buck Law Group for generously providing food and wine.