USF Students Assist Naturalization Clinic
October 25, 2011
Five USF law students traveled to Fresno Oct. 8 to participate in a naturalization clinic for Southeast Asian communities co-sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC), OneJustice, California Rural Legal Assistance, and other organizations.
Marie Vincent 3L assists a clinic participant.
"The citizenship workshop really highlighted the need for meaningful citizenship services in the Southeast Asian communities in and around Fresno," said Mark Yoshida, senior staff attorney at APALC.
More than 150 people sought assistance on the citizenship process and immigration issues at the clinic. Lauren Curtis 2L, Julie Erickson 2L, Jenifer Frudden 2L, Claudia Lucatero 2L, Marie Vincent 3L and other volunteers conducted client intakes, helped clients complete naturalization forms, and educated clients about the naturalization test and interview.
"It was great being a part of the naturalization clinic," Frudden said. "It's so easy to forget the reasons why I'm in law school in the midst of the reading-class-outlining cycle and the clinic was a great reminder of all the positive work you can do as a lawyer."
Students from UC Hastings, Golden Gate University, and other law schools also participated in the clinic.