An LAJC client—a pro-democracy activist who was forced to flee Venezuela—can rest easier now having successfully made her case to be granted asylum in the United States. It was an extremely complicated situation and we are thrilled at the outcome. LAJC didn’t do this alone, this win was accomplished due to the determined efforts of law students from the immigration law clinic our team teaches through George Mason University.
Each year, we teach legal clinics with George Mason University and the University of Virginia School of Law focusing on a wide range of issues from youth advocacy to immigrants’ rights and much more. These programs give law students the opportunity to learn from our attorneys many of the strategies used to identify, investigate, and attack systemic injustices all while expanding LAJC’s capacity to provide free representation to those who need it.
We are also thrilled to share that Elisabeth Faris, the student who led the charge on the case above, was recently awarded the Oliver White Hill Law Student Pro Bono Award! You can read more about Elizabeth and the award here.
Our client sent a note to Elizabeth about her work:
“Por haber sido ese puente de cruze de el cual hoy yo tengo el privilegio de haber obtenido, y que quizás de no ser por su perfecta labor y sus enriquecidos conocimientos no lo habría obtenido. Ha sido una Experiencia muy gratificante para mi y por eso quiero extenderle mis felicitaciones por el esfuerzo, tiempo y dedicación a este logro ganado para mi.”
(Translation: “Your excellent work and enriched knowledge were the bridge I was able to cross to obtain the privilege I have today. I want to extend my gratitude and admiration for the effort, time, and dedication invested in me and the accomplishment of this achievement.”)
Our most recent class of clinic students has wrapped up for the summer and we are excited to welcome a new group in the fall. If you would like more information on our law clinics visit our website here.
