Immigration Practice Clinic
Students in the Immigration Practice Clinic represent low-income immigrants from all over the world before the immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), state and federal courts in humanitarian-based immigration cases. Students take primary responsibility and decision-making authority for their cases, under the mentorship of the clinic’s director. Early classes provide knowledge of substantive immigration law, including the Immigration and Nationality Act, the applicable Code of Federal Regulations, immigration forms, applications, and internal policies. Students are expected to prepare for substantive immigration filings with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and the Department of Justice Immigration Courts.
What Students Can Expect
- Conducting legal research and writing, as well as drafting and filing applications for immigration relief with USCIS, Immigration Court, and other relevant agencies.
- Advocating for clients with local, state, federal, and foreign agencies.
- Navigating work with individuals exposed to severe trauma, learning how to effectively interview and provide counseling.
- Developing cultural awareness when working with clients from diverse backgrounds and strategizing to foster a strong client-attorney relationship.
- Learning to efficiently and effectively collaborate with colleagues toward shared goals.
- Partnering with local community organizations, agencies, and schools to gather evidence in support of clients' cases.
- Understanding case management and the importance of thorough case planning.
- Utilizing AI-powered tools for research and case development specifically tailored to immigration law.
- Interacting with clients professionally, including active listening, managing client expectations, and providing clear and empathetic explanations of legal issues.
- Adhering to ethical standards, such as client confidentiality, conflict of interest rules, and the duty to provide competent representation.
- Managing multiple cases, deadlines, and responsibilities to develop strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
- Working with peers, supervisors, and other professionals to understand the value of collaboration, learning how to delegate tasks, and the importance of clear communication within a team.
- Maintaining a professional demeanor in all interactions, whether with clients, opposing counsel, or in court.
- Handling the unpredictability of legal practice, such as last-minute changes in a case or unexpected challenges.
- Understanding trauma stewardship when practicing law.
- Learning to listen carefully to clients’ stories, understanding their experiences, concerns, and emotions.
- Understanding and respecting cultural differences and developing the ability to navigate cultural nuances.
- Conducting thorough and sensitive client interviews, asking the right questions to gather necessary information while being mindful of the client's emotional state.
- Learning techniques to build rapport with clients, creating a safe space where they feel comfortable sharing personal and often painful details.
- Explaining legal concepts in simple, clear language, ensuring clients understand their rights, options, and the legal process.
- Advocating for clients effectively, both within and outside of the legal system.
Student Experience
Class of 2025
Samuel Patterson III
"The Clinic offers an exceptional chance to develop practical legal skills and gain exposure to real-world issues. The hands-on experience I gained, under expert guidance, was unparalleled. The knowledge and skills acquired are universally applicable across any chosen field of practice."
Class of 2025
Nick Curcio
"No other class comes close in its practical implications. Nor can another class teach you how to handle the “human” aspect of practicing law or offer a sense of accomplishment comparable to changing another person’s life for the better."
Class of 2025
Rachel Davis
"The clinic's client-centered approach allowed me to hone various legal skills, such as case planning, preparation, interviewing, and establishing a meaningful connection with my client. I wholeheartedly recommend fellow students to considering participating in the Immigration Practice Clinic."
Immigration Clinic Director
Alvaro A. Manrique Barrenechea LLM'19
Assistant Clinical Professor of Law
Alvaro Manrique Barrenechea earned his law degree from Universidad de Lima Law School (Peru) in 2013 and practiced International Commercial Arbitration. Upon relocating to the United States in 2015, he began his journey in the immigration law field as a volunteer with Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors, subsequently assuming various roles within the organization. He has been responsible for several projects, including TNJFON's Woodbine Immigration Intake Clinic, the Families Together educational series, and the Oye Vecino podcast. Most recently, he served as a Staff Attorney. In 2019, Alvaro obtained his Master of Law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School, where he was honored with the Carl J. Ruskowski Clinical Legal Education Award. Driven by his unwavering commitment to social justice, he has extended his legal advocacy efforts to underserved communities in locations such as San Ysidro, Mexico, and Ocilla, Georgia. Alvaro is admitted to the bar in Lima, New York, and Tennessee. He serves as a board member for the Nashville Public Library Foundation and Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors.