Immigration Law Clinic Students Win Client's Release

King Hall students Taleen Aiazian '11, Anders Nelson '11, and Mohammad Sakrani '12, working under the direction of UC Davis Immigration Clinic Supervising Attorney Raha Jorjani, have secured the release of an Immigration Clinic client who had been in criminal custody since May 2009 and in immigration custody since June 2010.

The client was unlawfully deported at the age of 21 and subsequently prosecuted and convicted three times for reentering the country illegally.  Fortunately, Tim Zindel of the Sacramento Public Defenders Office discovered the unlawful deportation and was successful in getting the fourth prosecution for illegal reentry dismissed.  He also contacted the Immigration Clinic, which was successful in reopening his case.

Taleen, Anders, and Mohammad secured bond in the amount of $3,000, and began a nearly three-week effort to raise the funds on behalf of their indigent client.  With help from Immigration Clinic Office Manager Teresa Medina, who sold 648 tamales to support the effort, the money was raised.  The client has now been released and is home with this family as the Clinic continues to work to maintain his lawful permanent resident status.