WSCL Immigration Clinic
Donation protected
HELP THE IMMIGRATION CLINIC AT WESTERN STATE COLLEGE OF LAW COVER BASIC EXPENSES DURING TIME OF UNCERTAINTY
The future of Western State College of Law and the Immigration Clinic are in jeopardy. In 2017, Western State was purchased by a non-profit organization, Dream Center Educational Holdings (“DCEH”). Unfortunately, due to massive debt that DCEH inherited from its previous owner, several of the broader university systems owned by DCEH—including Argosy University—were placed into a federal receivership on January 14, 2019.
Despite the fact that Western State was operating at a profit, its affiliation as a college of Argosy University resulted in the law school also being placed into the receivership. Since then, Western State’s resources have been slashed. The law students have not received federal loan disbursements and are not able to make payments for basic expenses.
In the meantime, the Clinic is representing a full docket of detained asylum, bond, and other removal defense cases. The Clinic and Western State has been told that the goal of the receivership is to work towards the survival of the law school, but there is a serious concern about the long-term health of the law school, and the Clinic.
THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN
The Clinic is committed to providing pro bono legal representation to our detained clients in spite of Western State’s uncertain future. The Clinic relies on basic resources to continue providing zealous advocacy for which it is known and valued in the community.
Our Clinic is raising funds to help cover the costs related to representation of our clients including: court filings, office supplies like paper and exhibit tabs, mileage/travel reimbursement to our students, staff and faculty, expert witness fees, and other costs related to pro bono representation of detained clients.
CLINIC STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
WHO WE ARE
For the past 8 years, the Western State College of Law Immigration Clinic has provided law students at Western State Law with hands-on legal skills training while responding to the pressing needs of immigrants in Orange County and asylum seekers from around the world. The Clinic’s law students have represented countless immigrants detained at Orange County detention facilities who cannot otherwise afford legal representation before the immigration courts. Through the Ninth Circuit Project, two to three Clinic students represent a noncitizen in a petition for review before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Clinic has collaborated with grassroots’ organizations dedicated to protect and promote the rights of vulnerable noncitizens in Orange County, and in 2018 received the Community Justice Award from Resilience OC. The Clinic’s faculty consists of Professors Jennifer Lee Koh, Sabrina Rivera, and Andrew Knapp, who are all leaders in the immigration field and community leaders.
"The clinic has been the most rewarding and illuminating experience in law school. It allowed me the platform to help my community and, simultaneously, grow as a legal advocate. As a student attorney in the clinic, I worked on legal advocacy projects helping the immigrant community, I worked on case planning and management, I conducted client and witness interviews, I prepared court filings, I practiced my legal writing, and I successfully represented two clients, in two different matters, before Immigration Judges in Immigration court. I will forever be grateful for my experience and growth in the clinic."
Nathalie Cedeno
Class of 2018
“I was given a client whose life was in my hands. She stood before me with tears in her eyes as she told me her story and her dreams of a better future. We were the key to completely transforming her life, and we had to figure out how to ensure that the law was on her side. Even when the odds were against us, we had to remain vigilant to ensure that our client got the justice she deserved. There is no greater feeling than having your client run into your arms, tears in her eyes, after being released from a six-month detention. As she clung to my arm with joy, I realized that this is what it’s all about: Ensuring that the goal of law is justice for those that would otherwise be lost. This moment will live with me forever, and will be the reminder of why I wanted to become an attorney.”
Stephanie Barrera
Class of 2019
The future of Western State College of Law and the Immigration Clinic are in jeopardy. In 2017, Western State was purchased by a non-profit organization, Dream Center Educational Holdings (“DCEH”). Unfortunately, due to massive debt that DCEH inherited from its previous owner, several of the broader university systems owned by DCEH—including Argosy University—were placed into a federal receivership on January 14, 2019.
Despite the fact that Western State was operating at a profit, its affiliation as a college of Argosy University resulted in the law school also being placed into the receivership. Since then, Western State’s resources have been slashed. The law students have not received federal loan disbursements and are not able to make payments for basic expenses.
In the meantime, the Clinic is representing a full docket of detained asylum, bond, and other removal defense cases. The Clinic and Western State has been told that the goal of the receivership is to work towards the survival of the law school, but there is a serious concern about the long-term health of the law school, and the Clinic.
THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN
The Clinic is committed to providing pro bono legal representation to our detained clients in spite of Western State’s uncertain future. The Clinic relies on basic resources to continue providing zealous advocacy for which it is known and valued in the community.
Our Clinic is raising funds to help cover the costs related to representation of our clients including: court filings, office supplies like paper and exhibit tabs, mileage/travel reimbursement to our students, staff and faculty, expert witness fees, and other costs related to pro bono representation of detained clients.
CLINIC STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
WHO WE ARE
For the past 8 years, the Western State College of Law Immigration Clinic has provided law students at Western State Law with hands-on legal skills training while responding to the pressing needs of immigrants in Orange County and asylum seekers from around the world. The Clinic’s law students have represented countless immigrants detained at Orange County detention facilities who cannot otherwise afford legal representation before the immigration courts. Through the Ninth Circuit Project, two to three Clinic students represent a noncitizen in a petition for review before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Clinic has collaborated with grassroots’ organizations dedicated to protect and promote the rights of vulnerable noncitizens in Orange County, and in 2018 received the Community Justice Award from Resilience OC. The Clinic’s faculty consists of Professors Jennifer Lee Koh, Sabrina Rivera, and Andrew Knapp, who are all leaders in the immigration field and community leaders.
"The clinic has been the most rewarding and illuminating experience in law school. It allowed me the platform to help my community and, simultaneously, grow as a legal advocate. As a student attorney in the clinic, I worked on legal advocacy projects helping the immigrant community, I worked on case planning and management, I conducted client and witness interviews, I prepared court filings, I practiced my legal writing, and I successfully represented two clients, in two different matters, before Immigration Judges in Immigration court. I will forever be grateful for my experience and growth in the clinic."
Nathalie Cedeno
Class of 2018
“I was given a client whose life was in my hands. She stood before me with tears in her eyes as she told me her story and her dreams of a better future. We were the key to completely transforming her life, and we had to figure out how to ensure that the law was on her side. Even when the odds were against us, we had to remain vigilant to ensure that our client got the justice she deserved. There is no greater feeling than having your client run into your arms, tears in her eyes, after being released from a six-month detention. As she clung to my arm with joy, I realized that this is what it’s all about: Ensuring that the goal of law is justice for those that would otherwise be lost. This moment will live with me forever, and will be the reminder of why I wanted to become an attorney.”
Stephanie Barrera
Class of 2019
Organizer and beneficiary
WSCL Immigration Clinic
Organizer
Irvine, CA
Jennifer Koh
Beneficiary
