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Seventeen Duke Law clinic members and student volunteers assisted 37 people at one of the nation’s largest immigration detention centers throughout the fall 2024 semester.

The students – members of the Immigrant Rights Clinic and volunteers with the Duke Immigrant & Refugee Project (DIRP) – provided screening, counseling, and other services to their clients at the Stewart Detention Center in rural Lumpkin, Georgia. They sought release from prolonged detention, advocated for better medical care and release from detention for those suffering from severe illnesses, and raised issues of mental competency with immigration judges so counsel can be appointed if necessary in those cases. Their work also led to the release of two people who now have a far greater chance of succeeding in their claims for asylum.

Enhancing chances of a successful claim 

Dana Han ’25, a student-attorney in the clinic, secured the release of two asylum seekers, both fleeing persecution in their countries of birth, from the detention center. Han said one client, a citizen of the Central African Republic, remained in ICE custody for more than a month without an interview because there were no interpreters in his native language.  

Han persuaded the asylum office to allow him to apply for asylum in an immigration court outside the detention center. Han also conducted several interviews with the client, reviewed evidence, assisted him with filling out his asylum application, and submitted a complaint to the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman over the failure to provide language services. Less than a week later, the client was released.  

The other client, a Haitian citizen, entered the U.S. in 2022 and was initially released from detention but was transferred to ICE custody during the fall semester. Han filed a request for release (a “parole request”) with ICE that included his asylum claim, his protection under another program for certain Haitian citizens, and extensive evidence of the client’s family and support system in the U.S., demonstrating that he was neither a danger nor a flight risk and should be able to proceed with his case outside the immigration detention center.  

Now, both clients are in a better position to secure attorneys, gather evidence, prepare for their cases, and spend time with family members and friends, all factors that make them far more likely to prevail in their claims for asylum. 

"Nothing compares to the moment you realize your work has helped someone go home," Han said.

In addition to Han, clinic members assisting were Avery Allen ‘26, Olivia Callan ‘25, Juan Colin ‘26, Taylor Dempsey ‘25, Amber Holder Jemmott ‘25, and Jen (Jeaneyoung) Kim ‘25.  

Volunteers from DIRP, a student-led pro bono project, were Dorian Alexis ‘27, Emma Badia ‘27, Rachel Carroll ‘27, Medhaka Fernando LLM ‘25, Zoe Holtzman ‘26, Ki-Baek Kim ‘26, Alex Martin ‘26, Bailey Owen ‘27, Esha Saigal ‘27, and Caroline Wolinsky ‘27. 

Boles leading work on behalf of detainees 

Noncitizens detained in North Carolina by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are often transferred to Stewart, a complex that can house nearly 2,000 people. The clinic expanded its work there in August 2024 with the addition of Matthew “Matt” Boles as the Stewart Detention Center Clinical Fellow. 

“I saw a unique opportunity to bring Matt’s years of experience representing people at the Stewart Detention Center to students at Duke and fill an urgent service gap in the region,” Clinic director Kate Evans said. “I led teams of volunteer students to work with Matt over spring break in 2023 and 2024 and I knew he would be an excellent addition to the Law School.” 

“I am incredibly honored and grateful to work with students and other faculty to expand Duke’s immigration presence and provide much-needed support to detained noncitizens,” Boles said. 

He noted that several organizations have sent the clinic referrals for complicated cases in recognition of its advocacy: “This is a testament to the students’ work ethic, attention to detail, and advocacy skills. I am looking forward to continuing our vital work in the spring semester, allowing students to gain real experience and make an impact.”