Alissa Cooley

What is the most important thing you are working on right now?

I am a first-semester adjunct with the Policing and Protest Clinic. In my day job, I'm an immigration attorney, with my area of expertise in asylum and trauma-based relief. It's hard to say what is the most important, when I feel the entire field is fairly important at this juncture in society. The most interesting (to me at least!) and tangible thing I am working on right now is combating CBP/ICE's arbitrary manner of handling parole requests for Cuban entrants. Under the Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA), a person of Cuban nationality and citizenship can adjust to the status of permanent resident after one year from entry if the person was admitted or paroled into the U.S. Starting in 2018, CBP/ICE officials suddenly and without explanation started denying parole requests or releasing Cubans from detention on their own recognizance, but without parole. USCIS and the immigration courts believe that to be "admitted or paroled" under the CAA requires a parole document. However, I am developing legal arguments asserting that any release from detention by CBP/ICE is parole, as parole is defined as a release from custody. And the agencies' tactics and USCIS/the immigration courts' interpretation of the law defeats the very purpose of the CAA and wastes judicial and administrative resources.  

What is the most significant issue facing your field and how should it be addressed?

In the Policing and Protest Clinic, I think the most significant issue at this time is advocating for and demanding reform in our criminal justice system. Our clinic is excited for Nevada Senator Dallas Harris to introduce two new bills on the topic and we hope the students' and Clinic's involvement in the legislative process will ensure their passage.  

In the immigration context, I think the most significant issue facing the immigration field is damage control and making up for lost time as quickly as possible. I have clients, whose very legitimate claims would have been granted without objection in 2015, but were suddenly faced with removal orders in 2017. To undo the damage that has been done will take time but for many, they don't have much time left. It's a race against the clock to right a grave wrong.

What is it about being a law school professor that inspires or motivates you?

I'm a rookie, and very excited about working as an adjunct within the Clinic. I participated in Clinic in my last semester at Boyd and it was the best experience I had in law school. I started to learn how to be a lawyer in the real world with the guidance and mentorship of experts in the field. I started to learn how to apply what I learned in the classroom to real life cases and real people's problems, not just hypos. It was exciting and humbling. I'm excited to now get to work with Clinic students and help them navigate through that experience. What motivates me is working with the next generation of lawyers to represent Boyd in our community and across the country.