Reflection from the December 2016 trip

A previous team from St. Thomas University School of Law went to Karnes in December 2016. The team consisted of 15 first and second year law students as well as Professor Gilbert. Students listened to the women’s experiences, and helped them organize their stories so that they could convince the asylum officer that they had a “credible fear” of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Over the next few days, in addition to CFI preparation, several students helped women prepare personal declarations for their IJ Reviews, and most of the students were able to first observe and then do their own “release charlas” (or talks) for women who were being released from detention.

The team saw many of the women and children they had helped being released from detention.  In addition to helping them with their cases, they also spent slower periods during the day helping them fill out forms and making them Christmas cards.  Andrea Meza from RAICES sent this email to the group in the week after Christmas:

Hi!  I just wanted to say thank y’all so much for everything and for making those Christmas cards.  We had some left over, and I just met with a woman who fled horrific domestic violence that started when she was a teenager.  She turned 43 today, and you can tell that the DV has really affected her.  Since it was her birthday, I gave her a few of the cards and read them to her.  She has the most beautiful aquamarine eyes (yes, they are really aquamarine!), and for the first time they lit up and she smiled as I read your messages.  Thank you!

Link to original article: http://stthomaslawnews.blogspot.com/2017/01/st-thomas-law-students-experience-life.html