U.S.-Mexico Border Clinic
The U.S.-Mexico Border Clinic was designed as an experiential course in which students may complete two weeks of intensive study in refugee and asylum law and practice in Buffalo, followed by one week in the South Texas Family Detention Center in Dilley, Texas representing asylum seekers.
This clinical opportunity is on hold during the coronavirus pandemic.
Contact us
University at Buffalo, School of Law
507 O'Brian Hall, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1100
716-645-2167, law-clinic@buffalo.edu
Make a gift
Please designate your gift for the “U.S.-Mexico Border Clinic” in the instructions section of the donation form.
A donation of any size can help us defray the cost of travel. Thank you for your generosity!
About This Clinic
During the two-week intensive course, students will meet three hours per day and will learn the principles of asylum and refugee law, study recent changes in U.S. refugee policy, and practice important lawyering skills such as client interviewing and counseling, oral advocacy, and legal drafting.
During the week in Texas, students will represent asylum-seekers, including families and children, from Central America and around the world in their initial interviews with asylum officers as well as bond hearings and asylum trials in immigration court. Upon return students will be expected to draft a short policy brief on one of the recent policy changes that they learned about and observed firsthand in Texas.
Students must be available during the entire bridge period and must be able to travel to Texas January 20-26. Student will be expected to cover some travel costs and should expect to participate in fundraising efforts to raise the remainder of the costs.