Clinic Spotlight: Immigration Clinic Win

The Touro Law Center's Immigrant Rights Advocacy Clinic has achieved a major victory for longtime client Rosa Jimenez, helping her obtain her green card.

For years, Rosa lived under the shadow of a deportation order that stemmed from a wrongful conviction. After spending 18 years in prison for a crime that never occurred, her conviction was overturned in 2023 through the efforts of the Innocence Project, with leading medical experts concluding that she had been wrongfully convicted based on false testimony. Rosa's story of injustice has been covered by national media outlets and featured in documentary films.

Following her exoneration, the Touro Law clinic worked to remove the deportation order that had been based on the overturned conviction. With that order lifted, Rosa was finally able to become a lawful permanent resident and move forward with her life free from the threat of removal. Securing her immigration status also ensured that she could receive a life-saving kidney transplant and maintain access to the ongoing medical care she needs. Rosa developed serious kidney disease during her wrongful incarceration and has successfully received her transplant.

The case was led by Professor Mauricio Noroña, Director of the Immigrant Rights Advocacy Clinic, with Touro Law students Allison Baal, ’24 and Jessica Khargi, ‘24. Professor Noroña began the case while at the Cardozo Immigration Justice Clinic, before continuing the work with Touro's clinic.

"This outcome is thanks to the incredible resilience that Rosa has shown throughout her life," said Professor Noroña. "She faced some of the most difficult situations imaginable and yet always maintained the hope needed to ensure justice was ultimately achieved."

Rosa reflected on her experience with the clinic: "When the Innocence Project helped me prove my innocence and win back my freedom, I was given a second chance at life. But as an immigrant from Mexico City, I soon learned that my journey was not over. There was another mountain to climb: finding stability, belonging, and legal status in the country I now call home. That's when the Touro Law School Immigration Clinic came into my life. From the very beginning, the students welcomed me with open hearts. They didn't just take my case, they took the time to know me."

She continued: "Their dedication and compassion went far beyond what I expected. Every form filled out, every question they asked, every meeting we had I could feel their genuine care. They treated me as a person, not a case. Today, I am proud to say that I hold my green card, something I once thought might never happen."

Allison Baal shared: "Serving as a student attorney on Rosa's case was such an incredible experience. Her story was gripping, but her case was very complex. Working on something so multi-faceted as a law school student—a case that required meticulous research and coordination with multiple parties—made me well-prepared for my current role as an Immigrant Justice Corps Fellow. Achieving this win for Rosa serves as a reminder of why I decided to enter this field after graduation: to help clients like Rosa on their pathway to status, even when it might not always be easy.”

Jessica Khargi added: "To this day, Rosa's case serves as one of the most meaningful cases I've ever experienced. This case set a precedent in how I approach most cases—with empathy, understanding, and resourcefulness. I am overjoyed in hearing of all the positive developments in Rosa's life."

Since her exoneration, Rosa has rebuilt her life with remarkable determination. She has married and reconnected with her two adult children and grandchild, reclaiming the family bonds that were severed during her years of wrongful imprisonment. She now tends a beautiful garden in her backyard, cultivating new roots and a sense of home.