Asylum Research Project with American Gateways – FULL

Student will conduct legal research for a case filed by an individual from El Salvador who is seeking asylum in the United States and draft a memo for an American Gateways attorney handling the case. Asylum is available to immigrants who have fled their home countries because of persecution and/or torture due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. The student will identify and analyze case law involving asylum claims brought by former police officers or members of the military on the basis of their membership in a particular social group or political opinion (actual or imputed).

Organization

American Gateways

American Gateways is a nonprofit organization that provides free and low-cost direct representation immigration legal services to low-income immigrants in Central Texas. American Gateways works with pro bono law students and attorneys in the community to bring high quality legal services to individuals who cannot afford private attorneys.

Project Details

Project Start Date

September 2017

Approximate hours of work requested
Students should expect to spend between 5-10 hours total on legal research and drafting the memo
Training
None; the supervising attorney is available to answer questions that arise in the course of research
Skills used
Legal research/writing
Project location
Project tasks may be completed at a location of students’ choice
Number of student volunteers requested
1
Class year preference
2L, 3L, LLM
To Apply
Submit an email stating interest to Sarah Sedgwick at ssedgwick@law.utexas.edu