Pouring rain today, but sunshine ahead.

Today alone, I had to turn down five requests for immigration counsel. Even though our website says we can’t accept applications right now, a few people still ask for help anyway. I can’t imagine how many don’t even ask.

We now have a small list of lawyers in West Virginia or Pennsylvania to whom we can refer people. But we know nearly all the pro bono attorneys are full. Some people can’t afford to pay fees.

I hate having to turn people down. But I have an obligation only to accept cases that will be pedagogically valuable for clinic students, during the time classes are in session. So I say no and try to point people to someone who might be able to help.

Looking Brighter

At the end of a Zoom call late this afternoon, the sun broke through the rain clouds. My awesome colleague, Lesley Yost, has nearly 40 students enrolled in her spring Immigration Law class! For a law school of 315 students (over a hundred of whom are 1Ls and ineligible), that’s an ENORMOUS enrollment.

Students have to take Immigration Law as a prerequisite to apply to Immigration Law Clinic. Combined with the new Immigrant Justice Corps fellowships we’re building, we have the tools in place to revolutionize the immigration law bar in West Virginia over the next few years.

A New Day Dawning

I dream of a time when inquiries come into the clinic and I have dozens of options to recommend — pro bono and private, northern or southern West Virginia, Spanish or other language speakers, expertise ranging from asylum to employment to advice for criminal defense attorneys.

I dream of a time when everyone — regardless of immigration status — has access to counsel to guide them through the legal system.

We’re not there yet — but I see the light ahead.