Refugee Human Rights Clinic

Table of Contents

• About the Clinic
• Clinical Instructors
• Information for Current & Prospective Students + Application Materials
• Projects

About the Clinic

The Refugee and Human Rights Clinic provides students with the opportunity to perform hands-on work in both domestic and international aspects of refugee and human rights law, while developing the critical advocacy skills of strategizing, research, analysis, and writing. We also emphasize collaboration and reflection. Student cases span a wide range of work, from direct representation of asylum applicants to intensive research into international human rights issues.

Clinical students have the opportunity to work on projects with leading refugee and human rights organizations as well. For example, the RHRC has a close relationship with the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies (CGRS), which works to advance women’s human rights by focusing on gender-based asylum law and broader migration policies, both in the U.S. and internationally. As one of the nation's leading refugee advocacy organizations, CGRS engages in impact litigation, national policy advocacy, and other strategies in defense of asylum seekers. 

Clinical Instructors

The Clinic is taught by Karen Musalo, an expert in gender-based asylum law and human rights, and Kim Thuy Seelinger, Clinical Teaching Fellow.  

Examples of Clinic Projects

The Clinic will be of particular interest to students who want to explore how successful advocacy on individual cases can impact the development of the law, and how “non-legal” strategies,such as media and grassroots mobilization, can strengthen traditional legal strategies. Students participating in the RHRC have the opportunity to be involved in:

• Direct representation of asylum seekers before the Asylum Office or Immigration Court

•  Appellate work on cases at the Board of Immigration Appeals or in federal court that have the potential to set precedent;

• Developing reports and expert affidavits around cutting edge refugee and international human rights issues;

• Engaging in legislative and policy advocacy around efforts to reform the immigration system or to advocate for policies that encourage compliance with international human rights norms

• Research and advocacy on human rights issues linked to refugee flows – such as the phenomenon of “femicides” in Guatemala or forced marriage in Guinea;

•  Filing of petitions and other advocacy at the IACHR (Inter-American Commission onHuman Rights).

For more information, please contact us at musalok@uchastings.edu and seelinge@uchastings.edu.

Thank you again for your interest in the RHRC.

Clinical Professor Karen Musalo

Kim Thuy Seelinger, Clinical Teaching Fellow