HIRC handles dozens of immigration cases a day, helping clients from all over the world acquire immigration status in the United States. Clinical law students and their attorney supervisors focus on assisting individuals applying for different forms of humanitarian protection and are highly adaptable and attuned to the needs of the local community. As a result, HIRC has made Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients one of its top priorities.
TPS is a status designated to a country deemed temporarily unsafe for its residents to return to, for reasons including natural disasters, epidemics, or armed conflicts. Over the years, thirteen countries have received TPS status, with most recipients coming from Central America, Haiti, and Nepal. However, over the last year, the Trump administration has ended TPS for various countries. For many TPS recipients, this means that deportation is suddenly a very real possibility. This has led to much insecurity within the American immigrant community as TPS recipients attempt to navigate a complex immigration system and explore their alternatives for relief, all the while dealing with the anxiety and emotional trauma that comes with the fear of returning to politically, economically, and socially unstable countries after decades abroad.
Many of Harvard’s staff members are TPS recipients from a variety of countries. As a result, the termination of TPS would have repercussions university-wide and affect some of the most integral and beloved members of the Harvard community, as well as their families. To address this issue, HIRC has been working tirelessly over the past year to help TPS recipients find the best immigration options for their specific circumstances.
Announcements in English & Spanish were displayed at the Cabot Science Library throughout the year.
Starting in November of 2017, HIRC attorneys and staff began holding TPS consultations and renewal clinics at the Cabot Science Library for students and staff. Additionally, HIRC’s clinical social worker, Liala Buoniconti, helped provide clients with the emotional support and resource help they needed while dealing with this stressful situation. HIRC attorneys and staff were assisted both by individuals (law students and undergraduate translators) as well as by various institutions, especially the Harvard Bridge Program, Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers (HUCTW), the Cabot Science Center, and Dining Hall Services. These efforts greatly enhanced HIRC’s visibility on campus, allowing the newly created Harvard Representation Initiative (HRI) to expand its client base and help even more people than before.
Doris Landaverde, one of the leaders of the Massachusetts TPS Coalition on campus, said this about working with HIRC on TPS issues: “It was spectacular, we worked very well. The clinic did some trainings for the workers, such as what to do if ICE showed up on campus, and many of the workers were happy because HIRC was able to help them.”
HIRC helped not only the Harvard community with TPS, but also the Greater Boston community. HIRC attorneys, paralegals, and clinical law students at Greater Boston Legal Services held regular TPS renewal clinics and walk-in hours, providing services to hundreds of Haitians, Salvadorans, and others facing the termination of TPS. Through the HIRC clinical seminar, law students, under the supervision of Sabi Ardalan, also provided regular advice and counsel sessions at City Life/Vida Urbana and Massachusetts General Hospital in Chelsea. HIRC also participated in advice and counsel sessions as well as TPS renewal clinics in Somerville and Cambridge, partnering with organizations like the Somerville Sanctuary Coalition, Matahari, and Centro Presente to reach as many people as possible.
“Collaborating with the community organizations in the Greater Boston area has been an awesome experience,” HIRC Clinical Instructor Cindy Zapata commented, “and it’s really helpful in informing us as to how we can best meet the needs of the community.”
HRI staff attorney Jason Corral meets with a client at the Cabot Science Library.
In total, HIRC was able to help almost one hundred members of the Harvard community affected by the termination of TPS. Staff attorney Jason Corral alone worked on 59 consultations and renewals, with other HIRC attorneys, staff, and law students completing equally impressive amounts of consultations and renewals for members of the Harvard community and beyond.
HIRC continues to help with TPS needs, distributing information and offering free and confidential legal and social services to the Harvard community, as well as throughout the Greater Boston area. The clinic already has plans for more outreach events and consultations in the fall, and looks forward to continuing to make a positive impact on and off campus.
This post was written by Gabriela Rivero, a HIRC summer intern. Gabriela is a rising sophomore at Harvard University. Before working as an intern at HIRC, she helped out in the Clinic as a volunteer interpreter.