In March, three faculty members and eight students spent their spring break at the southern border to participate in the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project in Tucson and the Kino Border Initiative in Mexico. “Our extraordinary students—Mahlieli Bothi, Jonathan Cineas, Samantha Enriquez, Kassandra Mariscal, Michelle Ramirez, Yun Sun, Swathi Sreeragarajan, and Josephine Velazquez —accompanied clients experiencing trauma, engaged in case rounds with Florence staff, observed Know Your Rights and detainee counseling presentations, toured the border wall, addressed persistent policy challenges, witnessed removal proceedings in Immigration Court, and completed important policy and representation projects,” said Dean Michael Kaufman. “Tremendous thanks go to Evangeline Abriel, Britton Schwartz, Lynette Parker, and Caitlin Jachimowicz who worked so hard to make this transformative service-learning experience possible.”
“As one of the faculty members accompanying the group, I cannot speak highly enough of our students,” said Evangeline G. Abriel, clinical professor of law and faculty director, the Center for Social Justice and Public Service at Santa Clara Law. “They were open to what this experience could teach them and, in turn, they did an impressive amount of work for the Florence Project during the trip, including legal research, research into country conditions to support asylum claims, and translations of legal documents.”
Abriel said she was grateful for the support of the two other faculty members on the trip. “Professor Britton Schwartz of Santa Clara Law’s International Human Rights Law Clinic was a tremendous addition with her expertise and dedication to human rights. Professor Lynette Parker, one of the founders of the project, supported us every step of the way, from training the students before the trip to consulting with them on their research projects,” said Abriel. “Both students and faculty truly modeled Santa Clara Law’s aspirations of conscience, competence, and compassion.”
“This trip was made possible through very generous donors, and we cannot adequately thank them for giving us this transformative experience,” added Abriel. “In addition, we owe enormous thanks to the Florence Project and especially to Managing Attorney Camilo Rodriguez, who made our visit so memorable and impactful.”
2023 SPRING BREAK BORDER TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1: At the offices of the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project in Tucson, the group learned about the work of the Florence Project, gained insight on working with individuals experiencing trauma, sat in on a case rounds meeting with Florence staff, received case and research assignments, and started project work.
Day 2: In Mexico, at the Kino Border Initiative (KBI), the group learned about the work of the KBI and the many challenges faced by the organization and its clients. Representatives from KBI also explained the multiple confusing and conflicting border policies currently in place, being phased out, or being proposed. During a tour of the KBI and border wall, the group learned from the inspiring young Jesuit who directs the KBI and the inspiring young border attorney who assists the KBI’s clients. The group also enjoyed a conversation and taco lunch with the Florence Project guide, Camilo Rodriguez.
Day 3: At the Florence Detention Center, the group observed Know Your Rights presentations and the intake of detainee information and heard detainees’ stories and issues with detention. They shared a lunch at the Florence Project office with project staff and had an opportunity to ask questions and hear perspectives on detention and removal defense work. The group continued project work.
Day 4: At the Eloy Detention Center, the group observed removal proceedings in Immigration Court, and then spoke with the Immigration Judge. The group observed several powerful cases before returning to Phoenix, where they debriefed over a meal, spent time working on projects, and then traveled home.
