Immigration Detainee Civil Rights Project with American Gateways

Students will assist immigration detainees in the Hutto Detention Center who have indicated that they want to file a civil rights complaint related to their treatment by agencies of the Department of Homeland Security. Students will work in pairs to interview a detainee about her complaint, gather any available documentation related to the complaint, and complete a DHS civil rights complaint form.

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 attorneys in the community to bring high quality legal services to individuals who cannot afford private attorneys.

Project Details

Project Start Date
February 2015
Approximate hours of work requested
30-40 hours total over the course of spring semester
Training
Students must attend Know Your Rights presentation at the Hutto detention center in Taylor, Texas, departing at 12:30pm and returning at 5pm on Thursday February 26, 2015
Skills used
Legal research/writing; document preparation/review; client interviewing; investigation
Project location
Hutto Detention Center (carpools will be arranged); work from home possible for some project tasks
Address
314 East Highland Mall Boulevard, Suite 501, Austin, TX 78752
Number of student volunteers requested
4
Class year preference
1L, 2L, 3L, LLM
Required skills
Language: One student in each pair must speak Spanish
To Apply
Submit email stating interest, language skills, and whether you can drive a carpool to Sarah Sedgwick at ssedgwick@law.utexas.edu