Human Rights Special Project: Pro-Se Resource Project with Freedom for Immigrants

Course enrollment open to L2 and L3 students. Through this project class, law students will partner with Freedom for Immigrants (FFI) to support their Resource Mobilization Team. Under the supervision of immigration attorneys, Amanda Diaz at Freedom for Immigrants, and with guidance of Advanced Lecturer Vivian Brates, who teaches the class Migration, Asylum, and Human Rights at the Border (Spanlang 108SL/ HUMRTS 108), students will develop accessible, step-by-step pro-se legal materials intended for individuals currently detained in immigration detention centers. This project aims to directly support detained individuals by providing them with the tools to advocate for themselves, particularly in light of increasing legal barriers. Topics may include habeas petitions, bond hearings, asylum applications, post-order custody reviews, and more, available in Spanish, English, and other languages. Deliverables: Creation of 5-10 pro-se materials with clear, step-by-step instructions tailored to the unique challenges faced by people in detention; Ongoing collaboration with FFI's Resource Mobilization Legal Team. Participation in five hybrid check-ins with the whole team; Submission of a final reflection summarizing the experience, outcomes, and suggestions for future improvements; As part of the collaboration, law students will also visit the Migration, Asylum, and Human Rights at the Border class to share their work-in-progress and receive feedback from students who are concurrently volunteering with the FFI hotline, creating a space for interdisciplinary learning and exchange. You will have some support by immigration lawyers but students are expected to connect within their networks to find resources. Time Commitment: TBD depending on the units, including research, material preparation, coordination with FFI, and periodic check-ins. Important note: Students will not provide legal advice. All materials are informational and intended to empower individuals to navigate their own cases, with a focus on clear, digestible instructions. This course has been certified as a Cardinal Course by the Haas Center for Public Service.