By Samantha Morales 2L
The Immigration Law Society's panel hosted Immigration Judge C. Zsa Zsa De Paolo along with six other immigration attorneys on October 25.
"One of our main goals at ILS is to promote the practice of immigration law,” said Immigration Law Society President Francisco Vicente-Vidal 3L. “Not only is it a growing area of law that offers a vast array of career opportunities for recent law school graduates but it also deals with key issues that shapes our society and the future of our country as a whole. We decided to bring this panel to TJSL to promote the practice of immigration law."
The panelists shared their experiences across private, corporate, and public practices in business immigration, government, immigration and naturalization and asylum specialties. "Immigration is more than people crossing the border," said Ismael Iniguez 2L, who attended the event. "I never knew until recently about business immigration," shared Jimmy Nguyen 2L, who was excited to learn it was used in corporate entities, educational institutions and pharmaceutical/biotech industries.
Tammy Lin, Esq., from San Diego Jewish Family Service, spoke about the Prins Asylum Program which holds a high asylum grant rate for scientists, musicians, artists, scholars and professionals around the world hoping to rebuild their careers free from persecution.
Iniguez asked the panel for advice for dealing with the emotional part of unfavorable outcomes. Judge De Paolo explained the difficulties of having to send someone back to a country where they may be persecuted. "Truth is the only thing you have some days," she said. "The only way I can live with myself deporting people is by making a personal connection with every human being that walks into my courtroom."
The panel successfully highlighted the opportunities in immigration law. "It made me realize immigration law is very complex after hearing there is a lot of need and you can really distinguish yourself in the field because it is so complex that nobody wants to touch this topic," said Guadalupe Alvarado Luna 1L. Following the panel, students and panelists attended a networking reception on 8th floor.