In the Community: Thomas & Mack Legal Clinic One of Seven Organizations in the Nation to Receive Justice AmeriCorps Grant to Serve Immigrant Children

For immigrant children, immigration court is a daunting place and having a lawyer can mean the difference between staying here or being deported. Children are not entitled to appointed counsel in immigration court, and few, if any, can afford counsel.  In Las Vegas, children in immigration court will now get counsel through a new grant sponsored by the Justice Department and the Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers the AmeriCorps national service programs.

The clinic was one of seven organizations in the nation, and the only law school, to receive funding to represent unaccompanied children in immigration court.  The funding effort comes in response to an influx of migrant children from Central America, many of whom arrive without a parent or guardian. The grant will fund two lawyer positions in the law school’s Immigration Clinic, which has partnered with the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. 

Katelyn Franklin '14

Alumna Katelyn Franklin (JD ’14) will be hired to fill one position and will start later this month. "I'm so thrilled to be returning to the clinic as a Justice AmeriCorps Member.  I'm continually inspired and amazed by the clinic faculty for their dedication, creativity, and pure brilliance.  It's nothing short of a dream come true to work alongside them again.”  Franklin looks forward to helping the clinic expand its community initiatives by representing unaccompanied minors and doing related outreach.  The two lawyers will attend trainings later this year on representing unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings.    

Las Vegas currently has a docket of approximately 150 child cases pending in the immigration court, which has only one immigration judge. “Having counsel increases the rate of success for children who are eligible for relief,” said Professor Marouf.  “Counsel can ensure that all children understand the proceedings, which will enable the court to handle cases more efficiently.”

Many children have migrated to escape abuse, persecution, or violence. “We’re focusing on identifying victims of human trafficking or abuse, and pursuing relief and services for those children,” said Professor Marouf.

“We are thrilled to provide these critical services to these children, and directly engage our students in this work,” said Associate Dean Anne Traum, who oversees the law school clinic. “Our students have heard about this crisis in the news. To interview a child, evaluate the child’s case, and seek relief for that child in court will add meaning and experience to our students’ legal education.”