CLINIC FOR ASYLUM, REFUGEE & EMIGRANT SERVICES
The Clinic for Asylum, Refugee & Emigrant Services (CARES) at Villanova Law serves individuals who have fled severe human rights abuses in their home countries and are seeking safety and asylum protection in the United States.
Each semester, CARES students work closely with refugees and emigrants from around the world to help them secure asylum status in the United States. CARES students tackle cutting-edge issues in immigration law to represent their clients in Immigration Court proceedings and in interviews before Asylum Officers.
CARES students have represented and won asylum for refugees from countries including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Liberia, Mauritania, Mexico, Nicaragua, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Syria, The Ivory Coast, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
SKILLS DEVELOPED
- Case Planning
- Fact Investigation
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Cultural Competency
- Attorney/Client Relationship Management
- Teamwork Management
"As a CARES Student Attorney I managed affirmative and defensive asylum cases, worked directly with clients and developed trauma-informed lawyering skills. It was a challenging experience, but I came out with more confidence in my abilities as a lawyer. CARES provided the foundation I needed to start my career in immigration law." – Mary O'Rourke '20
If you have questions about the clinics, please contact the clinic office. Your inquiry will be directed to the appropriate clinic.
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
Clinical Program
299 N. Spring Mill Road
Villanova, PA 19085
CARES Clinic Director: Daniel Cortes
