Immigration Clinic Director, Professor Michael Vastine
St. Thomas Law’s Immigration Clinic Director, Professor Michael Vastine has been recognized, along with the law school’s Immigration Clinic, by the Archdiocese of Miami and awarded the Mother Cabrini Medal for outstanding service to immigrants.
The award is inspired by St. Francis Xavier Cabrini, herself an immigrant from Italy, who dedicated her life to serving newly-arrived immigrants. Her life embodied the notion that immigrants are not a problem to be solved, but people to be helped.
“Professor Vastine’s professional life, and the achievements of the Clinic, share this simple, but powerful ethic.” stated Archbishop Thomas Wenski in making the announcement. The Archbishop also commended the many contributions our Immigration Clinic has made to the legal community and the “deep commitment to serve the public interest.”
The award was presented at a fundraising reception in Miami. Dean Tamara Lawson, Associate Dean Cece Dykas, and Immigration Clinic Coordinator Yanick Laroche were in attendance to see Professor Vastine receive this honor.
Professor Vastine, through his work in the Clinic, has inspired the service culture in our students. This past year, students in the immigration clinic celebrated numerous victories in Immigration Court. We congratulate him on this remarkable achievement and recognition.
Professor Vastine with Students from St. Thomas Law’s Immigration Clinic
____
St. Thomas Law’s Immigration Clinic is available to second- and third-year law students and is designed to provide the legal, ethical, and moral tools needed to provide high-quality immigration services to the under-served community. Students represent asylum seekers, battered spouses and children, and other non-citizens seeking immigration relief in Immigration Court, before the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the Department of Homeland Security.
