Columbia University School of Law
Events this Year
For more information on our events this year, please consult our Mailing List Archives and Google Calendar.
Asylum Project
Students will attend an asylum interview with an attorney. At the interview there will invariably be factual and legal issues that come up and need to be researched. The student will then research and work on the issues and report back to the attorney. If the student is interested he or she can continue to work on the case with the attorney. If not they are done and can get about 10 hours of pro bono credit (1Ls are not allowed to get credit but it is a great experience). It is helpful if the student speaks the language because then they can serve as an interpreter as well but it is by no means necessary.
Contact Information: Keren Zwick is the Volunteer Projects Chair.
SIJS Project
The Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Project helps immigrant minors negotiate the SIJS system. Once a month the immigration court maintains a juvenile docket to address the needs of immigrant minors. Representation for these minors is provided by both non-profit and pro-bono lawyers. In order to make their work more efficient, CLS students will perform intake interviews and track proceedings in the court room. This work will provide greater attention to individual clients and ensure that the team of lead-attorneys is spent helping those in greatest need.
Up to 5 students can participate each court date, 3 as Interviewers and 2 as Court Observers. With 6 court dates over two terms, this means 30 students total can participate. Training will include: 1) Substantive legal training; In conjunction with pro-bono attorneys from the private sector, students will receive background on the SIJS system and its attendant law, 2) Program/Logistical training; Students will learn about the program and their responsibilities, and 3) Mock Interview.
Contact Information: Keren Zwick is the Volunteer Projects Chair.
Rights Education for Immigrant Communities
REIC is an opportunity for CLS students to earn pro bono credit while serving New York City's richly diverse immigrant communities. Students are trained in immigration law, with a focus on understanding the most common practical challenges facing immigrants, such as relative-based visas and undocumented immigration. REIC also provides students with in-depth knowledge of the various city services available to immigrants.
Once trained, students will be qualified to conduct presentations on these topics, on a volunteer basis. Students typically present in teams of two, and presentations are available several times a month, held both at CLS and at locations throughout the five boroughs. Students must complete at least one presentation in order to receive pro bono credit. Coursework in immigration law is not required; preference will be given to 3Ls and to those with relevant foreign language fluency.
Contact Information: Keren Zwick is the Volunteer Projects Chair.
Events Series
The events series consists of events on immigrant and refugee rights at the law school. These can include, but are not limited to: film screenings; speakers; panel discussions, trips to relevant local exhibits, awareness events and protests; and social events for the law school community interesed in these issues. Please check the SIRR website periodically for updates on events. SIRR also sends out email reminders of scheduled and last minute events.
Students are welcome to share their ideas for events, and to coordinate or help plan future events.
Contact Information: Sarah Hinger is the Activities Chair.