Immigration Clinic

UC Davis School of Law Immigration Law Clinic students Liam McKenna '12 and Rabia Paracha '12, under the supervision of Professor Raha Jorjani, secured the release of their client and restored his status as a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States.

In 2010, the Supreme Court decision in Padilla v. Kentucky changed the way the American legal system deals with non-citizen defendants.  Now, as legal professionals in California and around the country seek to understand what these changes mean, Professor Raha Jorjani and the UC Davis Immigration Law Clinic are playing a leadership role in providing the information and assistance they need.

Scott Vignos '11 and Saira Aguilar '11 presented oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on November 2. 

UC Davis School of Law faculty, staff attorneys, students and alumni offered free naturalization legal services and consultations at a citizenship workshop in Sacramento on October 9.

King Hall students Taleen Aiazian '11, Anders Nelson '11, and Mohammad Sakrani '12 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.

Thanks largely to the efforts of Grisel Ruiz, who joined the UC Davis Immigration Law Clinic during the 2009-10 academic year as the recipient of the Sutro Fellowship from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, the Immigration Clinic was able to win cancellation of removal for a Legal Permanent Resident client on June 30.

Professor Raha Jorjani videotaped a lecture on Padilla v. Kentucky for the Alameda County District Attorney that will be used by Continuing Legal Education to inform district attorneys and judges about the obligations attorneys hold while representing immigrants.

Professor James F. Smith was presented with the prestigious Ohtli Award at a special event in his honor hosted by the Consul General of Mexico, Carlos Gonzáles Gutiérrez, on May 4 in Sacramento. 

As part of the week-long celebration of César Chávez week, the UC Davis School of Law La Raza Law Students and Immigration Law Clinic held a "Know Your Rights Training and Community Outreach Day" on April 10, offering free legal assistance to eligible lawful permanent residents applying for naturalization.

Professor Raha Jorjani commented in a recent media release on a U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that criminal defense attorneys have a duty to advise their clients of the immigration consequences of guilty pleas.