Human trafficking encompasses all forms of forced labor and it occurs around the world. Migrants are significantly more vulnerable to forced labor. The Human Trafficking and Immigration Clinic (HTC) works to combat human trafficking by: (1) providing direct representation to survivors of forced labor; and (2) developing disruptive, systemic solutions to reduce vulnerability to exploitation, specifically in the area of assisting responsible business entities in reducing the risk of forced labor in their operations.
Law students enrolled in the HTC will engage in a combination of individual representation, compliance, and systemic reform work. The direct representation work of HTC is best described as a poverty law practice on behalf of survivors of human trafficking and their families. The clients are predominantly immigrants and thus the practice is almost exclusively in the area of immigration but we also assist clients with post adjudication criminal relief, access to public benefits, and victim-witness advocacy. The reform work of HTC focuses on understanding current and prospective human rights due diligence-aligned legislation and developing tools for use by companies (and organizations that advocate for responsible business conduct) to comply with these regulations.
Overall, students in the HTC will learn and practice collaboration, problem solving, fact investigation, legal analysis, counseling, and advocacy skills. Students are responsible, under supervision, for all of the cases and projects within the HTC. The HTC is a 7 credit course and meets the New York Pro-Bono requirement.