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Rutgers Camden launches new immigration clinic

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Rutgers School of Law – Camden has opened a new Immigrant Justice Clinic in August  to assist low-income immigrants living in New Jersey. The clinic is funded by a two-year, $200,000 grant from the United States District Court of New Jersey to “improve the administration of justice in the courts.”

“As a public university, we can play a role in responding to the immigrant population in New Jersey, recognizing the special issues that arise when immigrants encounter our child welfare, domestic violence, and criminal justice systems,” says Joanne Gottesman, a clinical professor of law at Rutgers–Camden.

Law students are providing legal counseling and pro bono representation to help the immigrant population navigate U.S. legal systems, especially when federal immigration law intersects with state law.

Eight third-year students are representing immigrant clients, with particular focus on criminal law or family law issues.

“The clinic gives our students the opportunity to interview and counsel clients, draft pleadings, and appear in court,” Gottesman said. “Students take primary responsibility for their cases, so they really get to experience what it feels like to stand in the shoes of a lawyer and make difficult decisions,”

Kiomeiry Csespes, a Rutgers–Camden law student who is participating in the clinic, said there is a need for more advocates of immigrants.

“Many immigrants who come to this country may not fully comprehend the repercussions immigration laws can have on their lives,” Csespes said. “The clinic allows us to educate the immigrant community so they can make fully informed choices and understand the consequences of those choices.”

In addition to direct representation, the clinic will conduct training and other outreach programs aimed at educating those in the child welfare, criminal justice, and domestic violence systems in New Jersey.

Students are already engaged in providing community workshops and developing materials for undocumented parents on parental rights, and developing materials for criminal defense attorneys on the immigration consequences of crimes so they can more effectively counsel their immigrant clients.

Students will work closely with national, state, and local partners such as Kids in Need of Defense, the Immigrant Defense Project, and the Camden Center for Law and Social Justice. The clinic also supports the work of Rutgers–Camden’s pro bono projects and other clinics that represent victims of domestic violence, children, and other low income residents of South Jersey.

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