Immigration Law Clinic Obtains Release for Detained Client

UC Davis School of Law Immigration Law Clinic student Nikki Agravante '14, working under the direction of staff attorney Raha Jorjani, secured a grant of adjustment of status for her detained client, ensuring his release from detention and obtaining lawful permanent resident status on his behalf.

The Clinic took the case in August 2012, at which point Agravante and Laura Gallagher '14 were assigned. The students worked tirelessly to sort multiple legal issues for the client, who had no valid immigration status despite having lived in the United States for 26 years and having family here, including three citizen children.  Agravante conducted a full merits hearing in Immigration Court on April 23, resulting in adjustment of status.  The client, who had been in Department of Homeland Security custody for nine months, was released that evening.

"Working on this removal case has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I've had while at King Hall," Agravante said. "In the past year, our team worked closely with our client and his family to prepare for his calendar hearings, a bond hearing, and finally, his merits hearing for adjustment relief. It was an amazing experience which developed my student advocacy skills. Through this case and through working with Professor Jorjani, I've learned so much about the dynamics of the immigration court system and the interesting tensions between criminal and immigration law. Ultimately, I'm happy that our hard work was able to bring our client and his young family back together, and, by winning him legal status, give them a second chance at a happy and healthy life in this country."