10 Mar 2020
On Feb. 29, students from the College of Law’s Immigration Clinic conducted a Citizenship Clinic to assist individuals interested in self-filing applications to become citizens of the United States.
In total, 17 individuals were seen and assisted by volunteers during the clinic. In addition to Immigration Clinic students, 19 other law students assisted those applying to become citizens, as well as Professor Sara Houston and three students from Doane University’s Law, Politics and Society program.
In preparation for the clinic, students created a publicity plan, created packets of materials for use at the event, recruited and trained volunteers, pre-screened applicants and orchestrated the process from start to finish. During the event, volunteers assisted applicants in filling out the appropriate forms, ran background checks to make certain there were no un-identified issues that might bear on an applicant’s ability to naturalize, and gave them a “next steps” checklist to use when submitting their naturalization applications.
This is the first time the Immigration Clinic has hosted such an event. It was included in the College of Law "One Vital Topic: Immigration - One Nebraska Law" programming for the year. Plans to regularly sponsor or host similar events are underway.
Immigration Clinic students: Josh Baue, Sam Hawley, Sydney Hayes, Brig Jensen, Samantha Lowery, and Ella Newell.
Participating law students: Alejandra Ayotitla, Jayden Barth, Logen Bartz, Jena Black, Carly Burkhardt, Hannah Cook, Eric Davis, Alan Dugger, Nick Grandgenett, Lane Haskell, Wil Hupp, Emma Lindemeier, Natasha Naseem, Erin Olsen, Sarah O’Neill, Jordan Pitcher, Mauricio Murga Rios, Caroline Sojka, and Sara Tonjes.
Participating Doane University students: Kathleen Espenhover, Bailee Foster, and Jaden Hilkemann.
Deanna Lubken, Office Manager and Legal Assistant in the Clinical programs; Sydnee Schuyler, Legal Assistant and Immigration Clinic support; and Professor Kevin Ruser were also participated in the event.