Seven Catholic Law students—Alondra Ayala-Coria, Ileana Elder, Spencer Peck, Christopher Tanega, Karina Rodriquez Topete, Stephanie Villalobos, and Ashleigh Wilson—accompanied by two faculty supervisors, Professor Jocelyn Dyer, Director of the Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Clinic, and Professor Emerita Stacy Brustin, Director of the Immigration Law and Policy Initiative, dedicated their 2025 spring break to volunteering with the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC). Their goal: to support immigration detainees while deepening their understanding of the challenges faced along the U.S./Mexico border.
Throughout the week, the group engaged in impactful, hands-on work, including visits to detention centers, Know Your Rights presentations, court observations, and discussions with Catholic Charities of Central New Mexico. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they were united by a shared passion for advocating on behalf of vulnerable immigrant populations.
This transformative experience provided sobering insights into the harsh realities of detention, the systemic shortcomings of immigration policies, and the extraordinary resilience of detainees. For the students, it was a powerful journey that underscored the urgent need for advocacy and reform in immigration law.
Detention Work with NMILC
NMILC, a non-profit organization providing free legal aid to immigration detainees in New Mexico and West Texas, also advocates for comprehensive immigration reform. During a visit to the Torrance Detention Center, students witnessed appalling conditions—insufficient food, overflowing toilets, unsanitary practices, and inadequate medical care. Detainees shared harrowing accounts of being pressured to self-deport, ignored in medical emergencies, and punished for protesting their treatment. The students worked to file complaints and submit parole requests for eligible detainees, but recent changes in ICE policy have halted parole approvals, leaving many to endure indefinite detention under dire conditions.
This visit left a profound impact on the students, forcing them to confront the dehumanizing rhetoric often associated with immigrants. One participant observed, “Detainees are being treated like animals.” Another reflected, “Talking with detainees made it clear how important it is to remind people that immigrants contribute positively to our communities. They’re not criminals or invaders—they’re individuals with dreams, goals, and the hope for a peaceful life.”
Amid the harsh realities, students also witnessed the resilience of the human spirit. Despite language barriers, detainees supported one another by teaching English, sharing scarce resources, and forming friendships. As one student put it, “In these conditions, hope becomes the most vital thing. Showing humanity to this population creates hope.”
Know Your Rights Presentation at Holy Cross Retreat Center
The students joined an NMILC-led Know Your Rights presentation at the Holy Cross Retreat Center in Las Cruces. They learned about the center’s longstanding dedication to supporting undocumented immigrants, even in the face of recent policy shifts that increased immigration enforcement in sensitive spaces, like houses of worship. NMILC lawyers provided compassionate, empowering legal education, inspiring students with the transformative power of advocacy.
Observing Immigration Court Hearings
In El Paso, the students observed immigration court proceedings where many non-citizens—lacking legal representation and English proficiency—struggled to navigate complex legal systems. They witnessed quick removal orders and the uphill battle faced by non-citizens against Department of Homeland Security attorneys. The students’ presence not only emphasized the critical need for fair legal representation but also reminded Immigration Judges that their decisions are under public scrutiny.
Discussions with one immigration judge underscored the challenges of a rushed docket, further motivating the students to pursue careers advocating for immigrant rights. This experience reinforced the importance of their future roles as lawyers in ensuring justice and fairness for underserved communities.
Reflections on a Transformative Experience
The service trip had a lasting impact on every participant. It underscored the value of a legal education and the privilege of using it to serve those in need. One student noted, “The hands-on experience gave me so much more than what you can learn from books or lectures.” Another reflected, “This trip reminded me why I chose to study law: to make a difference in the lives of others.”
The students also connected the experience to Catholic Law’s mission of forming not just capable legal thinkers, but principled individuals. “I love that Catholic Law emphasizes serving others as part of our education,” one student shared. “Using our skills to help those in need is one of the most meaningful parts of our legal journey.”
Many described the trip as “transformative” and “life-changing,” expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity. They cherished the chance to connect with detainees on a human level, listening to their stories and ensuring they felt heard. The group also expressed their appreciation for the Law School’s sponsorship, which made this invaluable experience possible for them.
In the end, the students walked away not just with a deeper understanding of immigration law, but with a renewed commitment to justice, humanity, and using their future legal careers to empower those who need it most.