Carlos A. Costa Immigration & Human Rights Clinic

The Carlos A. Costa Immigration & Human Rights Clinic (IHRC) is an intensive, one-semester course offered for six graded credits. Students will be responsible for a set of cases involving clients with immigration and human rights issues. These cases will involve students representing clients before the Department of Homeland Security , the Department of Justice (Immigration Court/Board of Immigration Appeals),  and Florida State Courts.  The set of cases will involve asylum related relief,  cancelation of removal,  other affirmative and defensive immigration applications, and special immigrant juvenile matters. Human rights issues always involve advocating for clients who are victims of abuses by a Nation-State.  Students will interview and prepare clients,  prepare documentary evidence and witnesses, draft briefs and motions, conduct examinations during hearings, and file appeals when necessary.  You will have the opportunity to represent persons under the supervision and with the guidance of seasoned attorneys.

The IHRC is designed to provide students with specialized skills in immigration law. The course provides a unique combination of litigation experience, intensive skills training and supervision, collaboration, and ethical reflection. It will also provide students with the ability to apply their knowledge and skills in a professional work environment and acquire new knowledge and skills relevant to the practice of law. Students will gain sensitivity to issues of professional responsibility and ethics that arise in their work. Students will also reflect upon and learn from their professional legal experience.