“The Valerie Zukin Memorial Fellowship came at a time of profound significance in both my legal education and the national immigration landscape. I was a rising 3L at Loyola Law School when I interviewed for the fellowship, grappling with the fear of what was to come: President Donald Trump had returned to office, promising sweeping changes that would likely reshape immigration law for years to come. Although I had worked in immigration law before, this moment felt different. I wanted to not only contribute to a greater cause, but learn how advocates navigated rapidly changing laws, policies, and the emotional challenges that came from zealously defending our immigrant community.

Over the summer, I had the opportunity to do exactly that. Under the close supervision of Immigrant Legal Defense (ILD) managing attorneys, I took on my first detained removal defense case. I was able to work on every aspect of our client’s case: writing motions, researching country conditions, preparing experts, and representing our client in his merits hearing before the immigration judge. The work was rewarding but challenging in ways I had not yet experienced. New court decisions seemed to emerge almost daily, each bringing new legal barriers to overcome for our client.

What sustained me during these moments was connecting with our client. Our client is a Salvadoran national who at the time my fellowship ended, spent nearly six months in immigration detention. He is the proud father of seven U.S. citizen children, operated a small business prior to his apprehension, and is loved by many in his community. I worked with our client through video and phone due to the remote location of his detention center. In working with our client, I was immediately struck by the horrific impacts of detention– it was difficult for him to tell his story and remain hopeful in an environment that felt dehumanizing. Yet supporting him through that process and gradually earning his trust as he gained confidence in our advocacy was a deeply meaningful experience.

What also empowered me was the strong sense of community within ILD. Throughout the summer, I witnessed team members strategize, collaborate, and support each other during staff meetings. This experience reminded me that while removal defense work is hard, it is never done alone. Although there is still so much more to learn in the field of immigration law, I am profoundly grateful and honored to have learned from advocates who are fearless, compassionate, and unwavering in their commitment to justice.

I am excited to continue to work and develop the legal knowledge and skills gained at ILD at the Juvenile Innocence and Fair Sentencing (JIFS) Clinic at Loyola Law School. As part of the clinic, I will represent clients who are serving lengthy prison sentences and are often placed in removal proceedings after they complete their sentence. I believe this experience will further prepare me to advocate for detained clients with complex backgrounds, all of whom are equally deserving of zealous representation.

The Valerie Zukin Memorial Fellowship came at exactly the right time–when I was searching for both direction and hope. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I had to serve, learn, and grow through this fellowship. It was a defining experience since it solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in immigration law after graduation.”