Student-to-Student Dialogue Explores Immigration Law Beyond the Headlines

Students from the Tulane Immigrants' Rights Law Clinic recently joined undergraduates for a thoughtful conversation on one of today’s most complex and urgent issues: immigration. Hosted by the Tulane University Journal for Policy and Political Economy, the event, “Borders and Briefs: A Conversation on Immigration Law and Detention Center Conditions in Louisiana,” created space for a candid, student-to-student dialogue grounded in real-world experience. 

Led by Clinic Director Mary Yanik and clinic students, the discussion drew on their recent visits to immigration detention centers across the state, including River Correctional Center and Camp 57 at Angola State Prison. Students reflected on their work providing know-your-rights presentations and legal consults to detainees, sharing observations about detention conditions and the individuals they encountered while maintaining strict confidentiality. The conversation offered attendees a perspective on immigration law that extended far beyond headlines. 

For many in the room, the most powerful moments came through personal stories. During the panel, second-year law student Gaby Lagos described to the audience what it felt like to deliver a “Know Your Rights” presentation in Spanish to detained individuals who had likely never heard the information before. “You could see the shift in the room,” she said. “People leaning in, paying attention, engaging. That moment reinforced for me that access to information is not just about content, but about delivery and trust.” 

The event also revealed a strong appetite among undergraduates to better understand and engage with immigration issues. Students asked how they could stay informed and make sense of the legal processes shaping people’s lives. “Based on these questions, it was clear that most of the people who attended wanted to know if they could play a role advocating for immigrant communities,” second-year law student Luke Mukundan said. “The event showed me that young people are eager to learn about the pressing legal issues facing us today.” 

You can learn more about the Tulane Immigrants’ Rights Law Clinic here.