Kristen Shepherd

UGA Law clinics continue efforts on behalf of immigrant women alleging abuse, retaliation while in ICE detention

The University of Georgia School of Law clinics’ faculty and students, including Jason A. Cade, Associate Dean for Clinical Programs and Experiential Learning, and Kristen Shepherd, Community Health Law Partnership Clinic Staff Attorney of the Community HeLP Clinic, have continued their advocacy on behalf of women clients who are challenging the abuses they endured while in U.S. immigration detention.

As previously posted UGA Law’s Community HeLP Clinic and First Amendment Clinic have pursued administrative, judicial, and advocacy paths in support of women who had been in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Irwin Detention Center, a privately run facility in south Georgia. While there, the women were subjected to nonconsensual medical procedures. Those who spoke out were met with retaliatory acts, including attempted or actual removal from the United States. For more than two years, the UGA Law clinics have represented these women in judicial and administrative proceedings.

The Community HeLP Clinic made significant progress in recent months on behalf of several women who experienced nonconsensual medical procedures while detained by ICE. These efforts included ongoing advocacy before a State Clemency Office, representation before immigration court on behalf of a woman who was unjustly deported, and successful advocacy before the Board of Immigration Appeals to reopen a third woman’s removal proceedings. The Clinic continues to represent these women and others in a putative class action lawsuit relevant to their allegations of medical abuse and retaliation. More information on these successes and engagements can be found here.

The Community HeLP Clinic is centered around interdisciplinary advocacy that focuses on immigration status and health, noncitizen workers and detainees, and public education. Along with overseeing the law school’s 11 in-house clinics and 7 externship programs, Cade directs the Clinic and aids law students in undertaking an interdisciplinary approach to immigrants’ rights through individual client representation, litigation, and project-based advocacy before administrative agencies and federal courts. Shepherd supervises students as they engage in a variety of services including interviewing and advising clients, conducting research and drafting legal documents, advocating in court proceedings and administrative hearings, and collaborating with legal and medical professionals in the community.

First Legal Spanish Course Offered at UGA Law This Fall

This fall, UGA Law students have the opportunity to enroll in a new Legal Spanish course taught by Professor Kristen Shepherd, Community Health Law Partnership Clinic Staff Attorney & Adjunct Instructor.

Professor Shepherd conceptualized and proposed the course as two consecutive courses, Legal Spanish I and Legal Spanish II, both offered for one credit. Each course teaches students Spanish language skills used in legal settings with a focus on listening and speaking comprehension. They also provide students with a broad overview of the basics of the legal systems in Spanish-speaking countries to enable students to communicate legal concepts more accurately and efficiently.

The opportunity for students to learn Spanish for use in legal careers has taken several forms over the past decade at UGA Law. It began as a club led by Pedro Dorado (J.D. ‘17, LL.M. ‘15) before moving to a lunchtime study session led by two students who had completed Global Externships, one in a Spanish-speaking country. During the pandemic, Legal Spanish once again became a club that met regularly on Zoom.

Across changes in instructors and format, the ability to hone Spanish language skills specific to the legal profession has continued to be a goal that students felt strongly about institutionalizing. Third-year student Patricia Fors was a driving force behind turning this club into a for-credit course. Since Spring 2022, Ms. Fors has worked with Center faculty and staff to communicate the student demand for the course and to provide a student perspective on the course proposals.

“There is a high demand for attorneys able to effectively communicate with Spanish-speaking clients,” Ms. Fors communicated to us in an email. “I’m incredibly proud to attend a law school committed to breaking down one of the barriers that Hispanic communities face accessing the legal system.”

Professor Shepherd agreed with Ms. Fors’ sentiment, stating: “I am inspired by the student movement that led to this course—it is a reflection of our students’ dedication to providing first rate legal representation to a traditionally underserved population with diligence and sensitivity. I am confident that this will lead to better legal outcomes and client relationships.”

The inaugural course enrolled 17 students, all of whom speak conversational Spanish. Not only will they benefit from this new course, but so will the clients and communities they work with across their careers.

For more information about Legal Spanish, please contact Professor Shepherd.