Warriors in the Community is a radio segment that features short, insightful interviews with key figures from Wayne State University about the many ways in which the university and its programs make a positive impact on the metro area and on the lives of Detroiters.
In this second episode, assistant law professor Sabrina Balgamwalla, director of the Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic at Wayne State University Law School, discusses the work that the clinic does on behalf of asylum-seekers and immigrants enmeshed in the legal system. The clinic offers free legal services to Michigan residents seeking immigration relief. Under the supervision of experienced and licensed faculty, upper-level law student attorneys assume primary responsibility for cases and work directly with clients to address their legal needs.
Transcript
Intro: This is “Warriors in the Community” brought to you by Wayne State University, and now to learn about how Wayne State is positively impacting our community, here is Darrell Dawsey.
Darrell Dawsey: Hello, I'm Darrell Dawsey, and today I'm with Sabrina Balgamwalla. She's an assistant professor at the Law school and director of the Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic. So, tell us a little bit about the Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic.
Sabrina Balgamwalla: The clinic was started 13 years ago to address the need for free legal services for people in need of immigration assistance. The clinic, from its inception, was designed as the bulk of the work being done by students. They have the opportunity to sit in the driver's seat and handle all the aspects of client representation.
Darrell Dawsey: And what are some of the more common kinds of cases that you guys are seeing?
Sabrina Balgamwalla: Almost all of our clients are in removal proceedings in the Detroit Immigration Court, and they're seeking asylum or protection under the convention against torture.
Darrell Dawsey: Tell me a little bit about how this work sort of reflects the overall mission.
Sabrina Balgamwalla: So, Wayne State is very much about being engaged in the community and also giving students that firsthand experience and that insight, and it's really amazing for students to step into the role of advocate and serve their neighbors. It's really wonderful to see people connect.
Darrell Dawsey: Is there any particular story that sort of, that best illustrates the work and impact that you do?
Sabrina Balgamwalla: We had a particularly powerful experience representing a group of detainees on the days when people were released from jail all the way in Battle Creek. The students were there to greet them when they walked through the doors, threw their arms around them, and brought them back to Detroit. So, it was really beautiful to see that welcome party waiting for people after they've gotten positive decisions in their asylum cases and they were walking free.
Darrell Dawsey: Well, I want to say thank you. I appreciate you taking your time to come out and join us today.
Sabrina Balgamwalla: Thank you very much.
Extro: This has been “Warriors in the Community.” For more Wayne State News, please visit us online at today.wayne.edu/wwj and join us here next Monday at the same time for more warriors in the community.