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Ohio State To Open Free Immigration Law Clinic

Laura Barerra speaking about her excitement for the OSU law clinic she is directing in the Fall.
Shayleigh Frank
/
WYSO
Laura Barerra speaking about her excitement for the OSU law clinic she is directing in the Fall.

Ohio State University will begin a brand new immigration law clinic in the fall for immigrants in Ohio who are looking for legal counsel

Legal defense for immigrants is scarce and those who do find representation often have to search for pro bono lawyers themselves. But having an attorney can make a big difference in the outcome of legal cases, especially when a person is facing deportation.

Laura Barrera is the director of the Ohio State law clinic for immigrants. She says the clinic will provide the type of free legal help and counseling that helps prevent deportations.

“When I saw this opportunity at Ohio State I was really excited to bring the things that I have learned through my practice in the Southwest and bring it back to the community that I am from to help immigrants in the Midwest,” said Barrera

The clinic is set to start in the fall with eight law students. Barrera says the program will only be able to take a limited number of cases.

Shay Frank was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. Before working at WYSO, Shay worked as the Arts Writer for the Blade Newspaper in Toledo, Ohio. In addition to working at the paper, she worked as a freelancer for WYSO for three years and served as the vice president of the Toledo News Guild. Now located back in the Dayton area, Shay is thrilled to be working with the team at WYSO and reporting for her hometown community.