2L Saamia Aziz Advances Fundamental Freedoms Through Helping Immigrants

Saamia Aziz saw the impact of creative and strategic lawyering at the National Immigrant Justice Center when helping a client obtain a gubernatorial pardon for a past crime, which stood in the way of the client securing permanent residency in the U.S.

2L student Saamia Aziz experienced the significance of federal litigation in the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, which enables students to work for immigration-focused organizations.

• Gained experience with the multifaceted role of litigation in immigration law while working with the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic. 
• Helped a client pursue a gubernatorial pardon to allow him to seek a green card. 
• Worked alongside attorneys with decades of expertise and sharpened skills. 

2L Saamia Aziz:

Working as part of the litigation team at the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), I was able to see the vital role that litigation plays in safeguarding immigrant rights.  

I helped a client pursue a gubernatorial pardon for a crime he committed as a teenager over a decade ago that prevented him from becoming a green card holder. I was a part of the intake call, and he was very hopeful that he would be given a second chance because he has earned his Master’s degree and authored research papers. It was a wonderful experience working with NIJC’s litigation director to identify creative strategies to get clients permanent status.   

Litigation can provide a vital alternative path to relief for individual immigrants. It can also safeguard essential immigration programs federally. Through federal lawsuits, advocates can challenge unjust practices by executive agencies and hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable when administrations try to roll back protections or services, creating disparate impacts.  

My experience before law school taught me that the need for legal assistance surpasses the number of attorneys who can provide individual representation. Through the clinic, I created a template for the Immigration Court Help Desk program. This template is for pro se clients, or those representing themselves, who wish to appeal an immigration judge’s decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals, an administrative appellate body that reviews immigration cases. With the template, clients can easily apply the facts in their case to standard arguments with relevant case citations, helping them exercise their right to appeal. 

My experience in the clinic reinforced that strong advocacy demands both creativity and strategic lawyering, especially when representing individuals who lack the resources to defend themselves. As an aspiring litigator, I am committed to protecting fundamental freedoms, upholding due process, and driving meaningful change.    

The Immigrants’ Rights Clinic exceeded my expectations. It placed me with the NIJC, an organization I had long admired, giving me invaluable hands-on experience and solidified my desire to become a litigator.    

I highly recommend this clinic to anyone interested in immigration law—or even adjacent fields—because it offers the perfect blend of practical training and meaningful impact. Plus, Professor Boswell is exceptionally talented. He ensures our externships meet our learning goals by providing much-needed context and training in our weekly classes. 

The Evidence of Success series highlights UC Law SF students as they share how the college’s opportunities equip them with the experience, skills, and confidence to excel in the legal profession.