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consider this to be a strong school for Texas. them better serve their pro bono clients.
“I hope law students who attended will see that the third branch of While the main thrust of the day-long program was asylum, primarily for
government does business differently from the other two. It’s very families and children, a special focus this year was placed on challenges
deliberative; it’s very orderly, thoughtful, honest and provocative. The judges immigrants face in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
ask hard questions, and the lawyers need to give straight answers. The cases “We have all been through Harvey,” Clinical Associate Professor Geoffrey
are hard and close, and most of the time there is no one right answer. I hope A. Hoffman, director of the Law Center’s Immigration Clinic, said in the
people see that this is a place where you’re going to be treated fairly.” opening segment. “Imagine if you are an immigrant, undocumented, DACA,
The Court heard oral arguments on two cases on appeal from the Fourth and your documents were lost.”
Court of Appeals in San Antonio. He said he researched FEMA eligibility requirements while volunteering to
The first case involved a couple dealing with drug and neglect issues who help immigrant flood victims who had taken refuge at the George R. Brown
voluntarily relinquished parental rights to their daughter. While a state Convention Center. Benefits are available to non-U.S. citizens, depending
district judge found that was in the child’s “best interest,” the appellate court on their legal status, he said, including those holding green cards, those
ruled “best interest” had not been proved. granted asylum or admitted as refugees, victims of domestic violence with
The second case was a challenge by payday loan borrowers to mandatory pending petitions, and others.
arbitration of complaints under terms of loan agreements with the lender, “FEMA is under DHS (the Department of Homeland Security),” he reminded
Cash Biz. The borrowers contend the arbitration agreement had been audience members. “So there is a risk in applying.” He urged them to make
waived because the lender had involved the judicial process by filing sure their client’s status is clear before applying for federal aid, help in
criminal bad check charges, resulting in borrowers paying heavy fines and replacing lost documents, and other immigration relief.
even serving jail sentences. In welcoming remarks, Hoffman defined asylum as protection for those who
are unable to return to their countries of origin due to past persecution or
SONDOCK JURIST-IN-RESIDENCE, NY APPELLATE JUDGE, a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality,
SEES RENEWED INTEREST IN COURT SYSTEM membership in a particular social group or political opinion.
Judge Jenny Rivera of the New York “A lot of what you learn here today will make you a better lawyer,” he said,
State Court of Appeals provided an while urging attorneys to work pro bono for those needing help. “It is a lot
overview of how the court functions of work, and it takes a long time, but it’s worth it, and this workshop will
at the Justice Ruby Kless Sondock hone your skills.”
Jurist-In-Residence Program at the In a presentation she dubbed “Asylum 101,” Josephine Sorgwe, a clinical
University of Houston Law Center. supervising attorney at the Law Center’s Immigration Clinic, detailed two
“With the recent changes in our visas potentially available to those seeking refuge.
national government, the appointment The U-Visa provides asylum to those who are in danger of substantial
Judge Jenny Rivera and of Supreme Court Justice Neil
Justice Ruby Kless Sondock physical or mental abuse as the result of being the victim of a crime or
Gorsuch and the filling of vacancies in having knowledge of criminal activity. The key word to eligibility, she
the federal judiciary, there has been a reinvigorated discussion of the role of said, is “substantial,” including being helpful to ongoing law enforcement
state courts and protecting individual rights and ensuring access to justice,” investigations.
Rivera said in her lecture on Sept. 18. Victims of trafficking who can demonstrate they were subject to “severe force”
The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in the state of New in being brought to the U.S. for sex or other purposes can apply for a T-Visa.
York. Rivera, an associate judge, was nominated by New York Gov. Andrew
Cuomo on Jan. 15, 2013. The New York State Senate confirmed her Successful applicants are given work permits, allowed to stay in the country
appointment on Feb. 11, 2013. for four years and may apply for reevaluation of their status after three years.
In addition, victims of domestic violence can file for protection under the
Rivera is one of two Latinos on the court, which includes three women Violence Against Women Act.
justices, an African-American man, and the first openly gay member. “People are not aware that they may qualify for one of these visas,” Sorgwe
“Our court is quite diverse in professional experience, personal background said, adding that the Immigration Clinic conducts informational sessions
and geographic representation,” Rivera said. “Our chief judge, Janet DiFiore, throughout the community.
is the second female chief judge of the court and a former district attorney.
Each of us brings an interesting perspective to our work.” Janet Beck, a visiting clinical assistant professor in the Immigration Clinic,
discussed immigrant juveniles who arrive unaccompanied at the border
seeking admittance. She said they must show why they are leaving their
IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES LEARN BASICS OF ASYLUM country, whether they are fleeing danger or exploitation, joining family,
LAW IN ANNUAL VAIL WORKSHOP AT UHLC or escaping abuse, neglect or abandonment. They are taken into federal
The University of Houston Law Center hosted the annual Joseph custody, but have no right to appointed counsel. Beck said they may apply
A. Vail Asylum Law Workshop to educate immigration lawyers and for asylum or, in some cases, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status if they have
advocates on current issues and provide practical information to help been abused, abandoned or neglected by one or both parents.

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