Written by Cristiana Barno, Cisneros Scholar '25
In my wildest dreams, I never imagined I would be preparing a petition of certiorari for the Supreme Court without even having taken the LSAT. Yet, here I stand at the age of 21, incredibly fortunate to engage with the realities of immigration law as an intern at the GW Law Immigration Clinic.
My journey to this opportunity began when I attended an event hosted by the Cisneros Institute in the fall of 2022. The event's moderator, Professor Paulina Vera, who later became one of my supervisors at the Immigration Clinic, shared her insights into the field. Recognizing the alignment between her career and my aspirations, I introduced myself to her after the event. I sought her guidance on where to find my first internship, and she recommended the GW Law Immigration Clinic. Following her advice, I submitted my resume and cover letter, which led to an interview with Professor Vera and Professor Alberto Benítez. When they extended the internship offer a few days later, I was overjoyed. After sharing the exciting news with my mom, I eagerly accepted the role.
My experience at the Clinic has been invaluable. I have gained hands-on experience in immigration law by working directly with clients throughout the summer and fall. My responsibilities have included assisting clients in applying for work authorization and follow-to-join-asylee visas, submitting case assistance requests at the Ombudsman office, and conducting intake interviews. Additionally, I had the privilege of attending hearings at the Immigration Court, gaining insight into its operations beyond the office environment. I even got to watch my colleague, Brennan Eppinger, win asylum for his client! My legal writing skills have also significantly improved as I was part of the team that contributed to drafting both a petition for rehearing at the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and a petition of certiorari for the Supreme Court. The guidance and mentorship my supervisors and role models provided me has taught me invaluable lessons that I couldn't have learned solely in the classroom.
To fellow students considering their first internship, regardless of your field of interest, I offer two pieces of advice:
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Don't hesitate to seek guidance from experts in your chosen field. You never know what doors might open or the mentors you can connect with.
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Approach your opportunities with passion and dedication. It's my unwavering passion for immigration law that has brought me to where I am today, and I believe the same passion can lead to your success as well.
Cristiana Barno is a Cisneros Scholar majoring in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies. Cristiana's views are her own and not necessarily reflective of the Cisneros Institute.