About the Immigration Clinic Section
Since 1979, the Immigration Clinic of the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice has represented non-citizens before the U.S. Department of Justice Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and federal courts.
The Immigration Section's clients come from all over the world seeking protection in the forms of asylum, withholding of removal and the relief under the U.N. Convention Against Torture. We also assist people who are long term residents, survivors of serious crimes, trafficking and domestic violence, and youth and minors who were abused, neglected or abandoned by their parent.
In addition to direct client representation, the Immigration Section engages with the local community such as conducting a bi-monthly “Know Your Rights” immigration legal orientation program and consultation at Luke’s House, a community based health clinic located in Central City of the City of New Orleans.
Section Success
Professor Hiroko Kusuda along with a team of law student externs and research assistants represented clients in various types of immigration proceedings. In one case, the team represented a 13 year old boy from Honduras. Law student LindseyAnna Pardue took the lead in preparing the case, including interviewing family members and drafting pleadings. The team was successful in obtaining a year-long continuance and no removal. In another case, Ms. Pardue accompanied the immigration section's long-term Eitrean client to an ICE appointment. His asylum case has been litigated in court since 2004 when ICE first obligated him to report. The client won relief under the U.S. Convention Against Torture before the New Orleans Immigration Court; however, he still must report on a regular basis. Having observed how other immigrants were treated at the ICE office, the client felt fortunate to have Ms. Pardue and Professor Kusuda to advocate for him. His case also illustrates the long, complicated, and arduous process that immigrants must endure and seek relief.
*The Immigration Section is inactive for the 2022-2023 academic year*
Supervised by Professor Hiroko Kusuda
