- Collection:
- Press Releases
- Title:
- School of Law clinics team up to keep immigrant family together
- Creator:
- Communications and Public Relations, Office of
- Date of Original:
- 2022-04-27
- Subject:
- University of Georgia. School of Law
Law--Study and teaching - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Clarke County, Athens, 33.96095, -83.37794
- Medium:
- articles
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- With the help of two School of Law clinics and seven-plus years of advocacy, an immigrant grandmother has gained lawful presence in the United States. The family said they are “forever grateful” for everything the staff of the Jane W. Wilson Family Justice Clinic and the Community Health Law Partnership Clinic have done. “They communicate, they reach out, they look for answers,” the grandmother said. “They have a wonderful staff that guides you every step of the way and, with laws that change, they make sure they offer the best choice for you and your scenario. … They never fail to help you with breaking down every line and small fine print to make sure you get the ultimate goal.” The longtime client initially worked with the Wilson Family Justice Clinic, which helped her urgently adopt her grandson, an orphaned U.S. citizen child. Once reaching adulthood, the adoptee enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves, at which point the Community HeLP Clinic was able to assist the grandmother in obtaining Military Parole in Place, a discretionary measure that allows close family members of active-duty members in the U.S. armed forces to obtain deferred action and work authorization, which will eventually facilitate the client's family-based pathway to lawful permanent status. “[The Wilson Family Justice Clinic gave] me hope and some relief after losing my daughter,” the grandmother said. “Being able to raise my grandson with love and dedication has been a top priority.” As a reservist and participant in the ROTC program at Kennesaw State University, the grandson is planning on a career as an engineering officer in the U.S. Army. He said he takes great comfort in knowing his grandmother has status now. “[It] means she is one step closer to citizenship, and we won’t have to worry about any future issues in government policies about immigration.” The Wilson Family Justice Clinic's advocacy was undertaken by Elizabeth N. Rawlings (J.D.'18) and Clinical Assistant Professor Christine M. Scartz (http://law.uga.edu/profile/christine-m-scartz). Community HeLP Clinic Staff Attorney Kristen Shepherd (http://law.uga.edu/profile/kristen-shepherd) handled the Parole in Place application, while earlier work on the client's immigration case involved Mary S. Honeychurch (J.D.'18) and Pedro Dorado (J.D.'17), supervised by Associate Dean Jason A. Cade (http://law.uga.edu/profile/jason-cade). Administrative Associate Sarah Ehlers (http://law.uga.edu/profile/sarah-ehlers) provided key support to both clinics.
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://digitalcommons.law.uga.edu/press_releases/1602
- Holding Institution:
- Alexander Campbell King Law Library
- Rights:
-
