For the past two semesters, I have been a Clinical Student in EBCLC’s Immigration Group. During my time in clinic, I have worked primarily with unaccompanied children seeking asylum or Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS) in the United States. To that end, I helped each client determine the type of immigration relief most suitable to their needs and then assisted them in preparing and filing the relevant petitions with California state court or the United States government.
When I first joined EBCLC, I was surprised by the high level of responsibility that was entrusted to me as a Clinical Student. From day one, my clients were my own: Though I always felt supported by my supervisor, I also knew that I was responsible for making sure each task in my clients’ cases was completed thoroughly and efficiently.
At first, I found this degree of independence rather intimidating. After all, as immigration counsel, the petitions and deadlines we deal with on a daily basis often have important and lasting consequences for our clients and their families. In that sense, when my supervisor would ask for my opinion on how to best develop the strategy for a given case, I knew that my answer needed to be one I could stand by—one that was properly reasoned and adequately justified. And that was true not only because the soundness of my recommendation would affect my professional reputation, but also because it likely would set the course of my client’s immigration case for months and years to come.
Embracing both the opportunities and challenges that came with this level of responsibility has made my time at EBCLC all the more meaningful. First, and most significantly, it has been a privilege to play a part—no matter how small—in securing much-needed immigration relief for my clients as they build a life for themselves and their loved ones here in the United States. Second, taking on real responsibility for my clients’ cases has helped me strengthen my analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills—all of which are fundamental to effective legal advocacy, and all of which will serve me well in my future life and career.
My two semesters at EBCLC have been a highlight of my time at Berkeley Law. I have learned many things about our country’s immigration laws and their constitutional and statutory underpinnings. I have learned even more about client-centered and trauma-informed lawyering. But, perhaps most importantly, I have learned that taking ownership in my role as a Clinical Student and showing up for my clients every day is essential to providing effective, strategic, women-of-color-centered services to the East Bay community.
Written by Garreth McCrudden
University of California, Berkeley School of Law, Class of 2024
East Bay Community Law Center, Immigration Clinic