I’ve been working at the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic since August, 2008. I did the clinic as a student back in 2000 – I think – and did research for Debbie while I was in law school too. My parents are from Iran and I grew up talking about human rights and refugee issues, which is why I care about this work. In the clinic, we supervise students and represent people who are seeking asylum and other forms of immigration relief in the U.S.
What I love best about this job is working with our clients and the students. Our clients are amazing and inspiring people who have survived so much and teach me so much every day. My first client as a clinic student, over a decade ago, is now a translator for the clinic – I feel so lucky to know him. And without the amazing students who do the Clinic, we couldn’t do this work – they are really energizing and incredibly talented advocates, who I learn a tremendous amount from every semester.
In terms of notable projects, I’m really excited that we now have a social worker on staff since I’m very interested in interdisciplinary work and the intersection between immigration and refugee law and psychology and social work. For the first time this fall, I taught a reading group on trauma, refugees, and the law, and Liala, our social worker, helped with it – it’s been great to work in collaboration with her, both on client cases and in educating and training students on issues of PTSD and secondary trauma.
When I’m not working, I like to travel, read, watch movies, and play with my new kitty.