Emily Leung, Albert M. Sacks Clinical & Advocacy Fellow, Harvard Immigration & Refugee Clinic
I have been working with the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic since the fall of 2010. I have practiced immigration law since I finished law school and feel very fortunate that I found an area of the law that I find incredibly interesting and fulfilling. I am an immigrant myself and can relate to some of our clients’ experiences. At the clinic, I supervise students on cases of asylum seekers and other immigrants pursuing humanitarian relief and also work with our Clinical Director, Professor Deborah Anker, on an immigration policy course.
My favorite part of the job is working with our amazing clients and students. Our clients are a true inspiration and hearing their stories and being able to help them is a humbling experience. Our students are also very bright and dedicated and for many of them, working in the clinic is their first time developing a deep connection to a client. I really enjoy helping students cultivate their skills and client relationships over the course of the semester.
In terms of notable projects, I am very excited about an alternative spring break trip that my colleague, Phil Torrey and I have organized. We are taking a group of HLS students to work with the humanitarian group No More Deaths in the Arizona desert. No More Deaths works to end the suffering and deaths of migrants on the U.S./Mexico border through civil initiative. I also really enjoy the immigration policy course because we invite notable advocates, practitioners and scholars to speak about immigration, social change and their important work.
Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, reading, skiing (in the winter), hiking (in the summer), and spending time with family and friends.