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Therecentsurgeofimmigrantsparticularly immigrantchildrenfromCentralAmericahas increasedtheneedforlegalservicesforthesenew arrivals.AsaresultTouroLawCenterformed theImmigrationLawClinicfundedthrough grantsanddedicatedtoservingnewlyarrived immigrantsparticularlychildrenarriving fromCentralAmerica.Thesechildrenareoften fleeingpersecutionabuseorneglectintheir homecountriesandcomprisethemajorityofthe ImmigrationClinicsclients. Thesechildrenoftenfaceanumberofdifficulties whiletravelingtotheUnitedStates.Theymaybe exploitedbycriminalsorhumantraffickersface coldhungerlonelinessandsleeplessnightsand oftenhaveonlydistantrelationshipswiththosewho awaittheirarrivalintheUnitedStates.Manytimes theyarriveindebttothecoyoteswhoarranged theirtravelandreunitewithfamilymembersbarely knowntothem.Parentsandtheirchildrenface a difficult choice risk the dangers of the journey to the United States or remain in a country wrecked by the prevalence of violence from organized criminals and governments that have been unable to control the delinquency. When they choose to travel to the United States and the United States government then seeks to return them home they need a lawyer to protect their interests that is where the Immigration Law Clinic at Touro Law Center can step in. Michelle Caldera-Kopf Practitioner-in- Residence of the Immigration Law Clinic explained that the Clinic seeks to help its clients fight their legal battle to secure the protection of the United States while also adapting to new families and surroundings. The Clinic represents children in removal proceedings where a government adversary seeks to convince a judge that the child should be deported from the United States while the Clinic tries to prevent their removal by demonstrating that they are eligible under the law for immigration benefits. The two most common forms of relief are Special Immigrant Juvenile Status which involves a petition filed in Family Court and asylum. Students may have the opportunity to engage in an adversarial hearing in Immigration Court where the Clinics client will bear the burden of persuasion. To win asylum the Clinic must demonstrate that the client has a well-founded fear of persecution. This fear of persecution must be based on race religion nationality political opinion or membership in a particular social group. If successful the child cannot be removed from the United States. Additionally after two years individuals granted asylum are eligible to apply for permanent residence. Alternatively some of the clients our Clinics students represent seek Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Clinic students prepare and file a petition in Family Court and seek the courts factual finding that the childs best interest is served by remaining in the United States because of abuse neglect or abandonment by one or both parents in the home country. Students argue and present testimony on behalf of their clients before the Family Court. If successful in Family Court the student representative will then file applications for lawful permanent residence with immigration officials in the United States. TheClinicrecentlyachievedsuccessforbrothers ages11and14whoweregrantedasylum.With thehelpoffirstyearstudentPabloLopezwho translatedforthecasetheboyswereabletoshow thattheirunclesgangdemandedthattheirfamily turnthemovertothegangaftertheirunclewas killedbyarivalgang. Ms. Caldera-Kopf also described another memorable case where a client was turning 21 after which the Family Court loses jurisdiction over the child. Due to the Clinics efforts and just in the nick of time a day before her 21st birthday her petition for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status was approved. Ms. Caldera described the feeling of accomplishment and relief like a huge weight has been lifted from her shoulders when a client is granted a permanent residence or asylum. Students enrolled in the Immigration Law Clinic share that feeling and gain the confidence of experience by working alongside Ms. Caldera and Clinic Director William Brooks to protect their clients. While interning in the Bankruptcy Clinic I am fortunate enough to experience and participate in the entire process of helping a client get a fresh new start in their financial life from start to finish. Throughout this process I have shared many emotional moments with my clients that have greatly impacted me as an aspiring attorney. In many instances a prospective Chapter 7 bankruptcy client comes to the clinic distressed and sad. At the start of the bankruptcy petition getting to the legal issues or the relevant facts often is not the priority I found that initially listening to the clients stories and exhibiting compassion to the clients is the most important aspect of my legal representation. Most of my clients are filing bankruptcy due to some factors that they do not have control over for example medical conditions that are not covered by the health insurance a divorce or loss of employment. The most satisfying and rewarding feeling is when I am able to help a client discharge all of their consumer debts and medical bills. This allows them to get a brand new start with their life. It is tremendously rewarding when I see the relief and hope resonating through their eyes. Weitian Lee Bankruptcy Clinic The Immigration Law Clinic Providing a New Life for Those Facing Strife By Rachel Kerremans