Senior Counsel, Patent Litigation
AbbVie
PHOTO: Linkedin
From LinkedIn:
REFLECTIONS on my week assisting detained asylum seekers near the U.S.-Mexico border in Laredo, Texas.
-The immigration crisis has been and continues to be a humanitarian crisis. Many of our neighbors in Latin America have suffered terrible and enduring instances of persecution at the hands of their own governments, police, military, gangs, and even domestic violence accepted as a social norm. Leaving their own countries is not merely a pursuit for stability and prosperity, it is a Hobson’s choice—death at the hands of your persecutor, or potential death during the tumultuous journey to the United States.
-Mexico, a beautiful country full of wonderful cultures and traditions, seems extremely dangerous for migrants passing through to the United States. I interviewed many migrants awaiting their credible fear interview. All of them suffered persecution during their time in Mexico, whether they were robbed by police, cartel members, or ordinary citizens. Many were kidnapped and held for ransom. Some had group members that did not finish the journey.
-U.S. asylum laws and procedures as currently drafted are messy. We learned about the Asylum Bar and the CBP-1 phone application. Asylum seekers must use the app or otherwise highly likely face the asylum bar. Many migrants I spoke with attempted to use the app every day of their journey and even while waiting at the US-MX border. None successfully completed an application. This was not seemingly for lack of trying, as their screenshots would show you. If the bar applies, the chances for asylum are apparently low. The app, if it worked, seems like it could prove quite effective and efficient. Fix the app.
-Find time for pro bono legal work. Whether one hour, day, week, or month, you WILL make a difference in someone’s life.
-I have many other thoughts on my week. Message me if you are interested.
-I owe a HUGE thank you to Jones Day and AbbVie legal for providing me the opportunity to assist these migrants. Laura Tuell and Emily N., you were phenomenal mentors and hosts. Thank you a million times for the work you do, and for your passion and dedication to the migrant community. Lynette Lupia, Johanna Corbin, and Linda Friedlieb, thank you for championing pro bono work at AbbVie and allowing me to carve out time for this opportunity.
To my in-house legal friends, find a friend at Jones Day and ask them how you can help make a difference.
These views and reflections are mine and not an official company position.
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Jorge says “The [CBP One] app, if it worked, seems like it could prove quite effective and efficient. Fix the app!” This isn’t rocket science!🚀 Experts have been saying this for many, many months! Moreover, why would DHS set up a system almost totally dependent on this app without “beta testing” it to make sure it works and is “user friendly” for the intended audience?
This continues to be obvious “low hanging fruit” that the Administration, inexplicably, has failed to “harvest!”
Thanks Jorge for you work and your report. Interestingly, patent lawyers like Jorge have been well represented among the students taking my “Immigration Law & Policy” class at Georgetown Law. Because both patent work and immigration practices are “highly detail oriented” they as a group have done very well in my class and appear to have an affinity for the practice.
Also appreciate the “shout out” to Laura Tuell the Global Pro Bono Partner at Jones Day (where I worked 1987-92). Laura has been a guest lecturer in my class and has been inspiring others for years.
🇺🇸 Due Process Forever!
PWS
11-19-23