1L Taryn D’Amore Broadens Knowledge of Asylum Process While Advocating for Children

Helping children and clients with limited resources apply for asylum strengthened 1L Taryn D’Amore’s knowledge of the immigration and juvenile court system, and deepened her understanding of the human impact of the asylum process.

1L student Taryn D’Amore shares what she gained from her experience advocating for children and youth in the U.S. immigration system for Alternative Spring Break.

• Honed legal research and writing skills at Legal Services for Children to prepare supporting documents for a client’s asylum case for Alternative Spring Break (ASB). 
• Gained experience in asylum process and juvenile system; and deepened understanding of the commitment and teamwork necessary to achieve favorable outcomes for clients.  
• Pro bono experience supports career goal to work in the public interest and advocate for children’s rights. 

1L Taryn D’Amore:  

For Alternative Spring Break (ASB) I worked for Legal Services for Children, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that provides free representation for children and youth in need of legal assistance. 

In preparation for an asylum interview, my team and I prepared supporting documents for the client, who first came to the U.S. as a minor. To do this, we researched country conditions from different global agencies and nonprofits. Helping children and clients with limited resources gain better life circumstances and receive asylum made the work especially meaningful. 

My team and I also helped several children and young people apply for special immigrant juvenile status, which allows someone under the age of 21 to receive lawful status in the U.S. To meet the criteria, clients must be unable to reunite with one or both parents, and cases often involve a guardianship issue. Under the law, special immigrant juvenile status provides a pathway to permanent residency for children and youth, as well as the ability to work in the U.S.   

The attorneys I worked with at Legal Services for Children were immigration attorneys specializing in juvenile immigration matters. I found the attorneys to be well organized, thoughtful, caring, and extremely passionate about the work they do. From this experience, I learned the importance of detail and effort when preparing a case—two elements that can affect a client’s outcomes.   

This experience broadened my knowledge of the asylum process, and the immigration and juvenile court system. Our supervisor taught us the sources, reports, and agencies that devote their work to compiling data and reporting on human rights conditions around the world.  

This gave me a much deeper understanding of the complexity, challenges, and human impact of the asylum process. Many clients were unaccompanied minors when arriving in the U.S. The asylum process is lengthy, with a backlog of around six years.  

Overall, my ASB experience supported my goals of helping to advocate for children’s rights and deepened my commitment to working in the public interest throughout my career. This experience also strengthened my skills in working with sensitive and difficult material—skills that I think are invaluable when pursuing work in the public interest. 

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.