Audrey Harris is a 2L originally from Wayland, Massachusetts. She graduated from Boston University in 2025, studying political science and Chinese. At UM, she is involved in University of Miami Law Review, the Immigration Clinic, and International Law Society. Through high school and college, she studied abroad in Beijing, China, and Dublin, Ireland. In Dublin, she interned at a civil law firm, focusing on Immigration Law. Last summer, Audrey served as a law clerk at the Campbell Law Group, assisting attorneys with deposition preparation, and filing motions and pleadings. She hopes to make a difference in the lives of individuals through the Immigration Clinic and other public interest work. She is currently working on a case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Baxter Neal is a 2L originally from Nashville, Tennessee. Baxter earned her Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Political Science with a minor in Criminal Justice from Florida International University. As an undergrad, she served as Philanthropy Chair for Phi Alpha Delta, a pre-law fraternity, and co-founded the Pre-Law Advocates for Community Engagement and Services Club, where she served as Community Outreach Chair. Last summer, she served as a law clerk at Rosenow Taramasco, an immigration firm in Coconut Grove, where she gained valuable experience helping clients with immigration matters, including cases involving the Violence Against Women Act, asylum, and family-based petitions. Baxter continues her work as a member of the Immigration Clinic, assisting detained people and preparing a case for an immigration court hearing.
Elizabeth Varela is a 2L originally from Miami, FL. In 2024, she earned her B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Miami, where she also worked with the Human Rights and Immigration Clinics. Last summer, Elizabeth worked as a Law Clerk at Lydecker LLP’s Miami office, researching professional liability, commercial litigation, and appellate procedure and assisting with trial preparation. Her computer science background shapes her approach to legal work, combining technical analysis and structured problem-solving with an interest in helping people navigate complex legal systems and find practical paths forward. In the Immigration Clinic, Elizabeth is working on an immigration court case.
Hannah Liu is a 3L student from Cooper City, Florida. Hannah earned her Bachelors in Political Science from Florida State University. This past summer, she interned at Alex Hanna's immigration group, where she performed legal research and drafted petitions for review before United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and a writ of habeas corpus. She also performed research and drafted an appellate brief before the Board of Immigration Appeals as a research assistant with the Immigration Clinic. During her previous year in the Immigration Clinic, Hannah argued for asylum and cancellation of removal before immigration judges in two different proceedings on behalf of her clients. Hannah also spoke before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in support of detained individuals’ rights against wrongful treatment at “Alligator Alcatraz.” This year, Hannah returns as a Clinic Fellow to continue immigration advocacy efforts.
Julia Montejo is a 2L, originally from Guatemala. A Cornell University alumna, she is a former community organizer with over seven years of professional experience in nonprofits and tech. As a 1L at Miami Law, Julia interned with the Center for Ethics and Public Service, where she continues to serve as a fellow, currently working on voter education initiatives. This past summer, she interned at the Cornell Center on the Death Penalty Worldwide, working on a post-conviction relief case and gender disparity research. As a clinic intern, Julia is supporting efforts to inform detained immigrants of their rights and preparing briefing for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Kadia Mohammed is a 3L student from Orlando, Florida. She graduated from summa cum laude from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with focuses on the Behavioral & Social Sciences and the Humanities, as well as Minors in Sociology and Legal Studies. Before law school, Kadia worked at a personal injury law firm and volunteered to help immigrant and refugee women learn English. During her 1L summer, Kadia interned with the Innocence Project of Florida reviewing wrongful conviction claims. Last Fall, as a Clinic student, Kadia litigated an asylum case and argued in immigration court. Kadia also helped to shed light on “Alligator Alcatraz” before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights at a community townhall. Kadia received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for her Clinic work in fall of 2025. Last spring, Kadia also argued a cancellation of removal case in immigration court. This past summer, Kadia worked with Florida Justice Institute on class action litigation challenging prison conditions in the state of Florida. This year, Kadia returns as a Clinic Fellow to continue her immigration advocacy and mentor the next generation of students. Kadia is working on cases in U.S. district court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. After graduation, Kadia hopes to work within the intersection of immigration law and civil rights law to advocate for immigrant rights and challenge detention conditions.
Keilly Miranda Torres is a 2L student originally from Cuba. She graduated summa cum laude from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a minor in Communications. Before law school, Keilly worked at FIRC, a nonprofit immigration law firm. During her 1L summer, Keilly clerked at RiveroMestre, where she worked on complex litigation matters. She is also a member of the International Moot Court Program. Currently, Keilly serves as Vice President of the Society of Bar and Gavel, Policy Director of the International Refugee Assistance Program, and a chair of the Public Interest Network within the Public Interest Leadership Board. Within the Clinic, Keilly is working on a habeas case in the Eastern District of California.
Madison Ponce is a 2L student from Miami, Florida. Her parents are Guatemalan immigrants, and she spent nearly ten years living in Zurich, Switzerland. Madison earned her Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies, with minors in International Business and Geology, from the University of Miami. Before law school, she worked for five years in business immigration, focusing on employment-based immigration matters, including EB-1, EB-2, O-1, L-1, and H-1B visas. Last summer, she continued her immigration work as a law clerk in Alex Hanna Law’s Immigration Department, where she assisted with a variety of matters, including asylum and marriage-based petitions. Through the Immigration Clinic, Madison is continuing to work with individuals navigating the immigration system by helping detained people and preparing an immigration court case.
Melanie DeSimone-Schepmans is a 2L originally from Central Florida. Prior to law school, Melanie graduated from the University of Florida with a double major in Sociology and Sustainability where she dedicated her time to addressing inequality both inside and outside the classroom. Her achievements were recognized with her department's and college's highest honors, and she was selected to address the University of Florida's graduating class as her college's commencement speaker. Last summer, Melanie clerked at Legal Services of Greater Miami in the Subsidized Housing Unit working in evictions defense litigation for indigent clients and earning the Nancy T. Clasby Fellowship for her commitment to social justice. Melanie is passionate about the law as an avenue for justice and serving underprivileged populations. As the daughter of an immigrant, Melanie is currently working with the Immigration Clinic on U.S. District Court litigation and helping people in detention.
Michael Behling is a 2L from San Diego. Michael spent his childhood living in Mexico City, and was raised in a bicultural Mexican-American household. He earned his B.A. from the University of Florida in 2025 in Political Science. Michael is a junior staff editor on the Race and Social Justice Law Review. Recently, he worked as a summer associate at a Miami banking and finance firm, gaining experience in regulatory, litigation, and immigration matters. He hopes to use his background to positively impact others through advocacy. As a member of the Immigration Clinic, Michael is helping people in immigration detention and is on a team preparing briefing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Natalia Hawari is a 2L originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She earned her B.A. in Political Science and a minor in History from Florida Atlantic University. After graduating, she worked as a legal assistant for an immigration firm and as a criminal appeals clerk. As a 1L at the University of Miami School of Law, she joined the Public Interest Leadership Board, and Social Media and Programming Chair of If/When/How. Natalia also volunteered with The Internationalist Law Center on their Immigration Legal Defense project. During her 1L summer, Natalia worked as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow/Janyl Smith Fellow with Catholic Legal Services on their Detention Team, assisting in removal defense efforts for indigent clients. This year, she is an intern in the Immigration Clinic helping people in immigration detention and working on U.S. district court litigation.
Sarah Michael is a 2L from Tampa, FL. At 20 years old, she graduated from Florida State University with a B.S. in International Affairs with a concentration in Public Administration, where she was involved with Advocates for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and conducted research on U.S. diplomacy and Middle Eastern relations. Prior to joining the Immigration Clinic, Sarah served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Ramiro Areces of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, where she conducted legal research, drafted bench memoranda, and observed courtroom proceedings. As a first-generation American whose family immigrated to the United States from Egypt, Sarah’s interest in immigration law is both personal and professional. She is particularly interested in immigration and asylum law, international human rights, and advocating for immigrant and refugee communities.
Vanessa Blemur is a 2L from West Palm Beach, Florida. She received a B.S. in Political Science and a minor in Communications from Florida State University. She spent her 1L summer working as a Judicial Intern in the Southern District of Florida for the Honorable Judge Enjoliqué, A. Lett as well as a Research Assistant for Professor Carrie Bettinger-Lopez. As a research assistant, she worked on advocacy efforts to address issues involved with the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. She currently serves as the secretary of the Student Association for Immigration Law. In the clinic, she is working on U.S. district court litigation and helping people in detention.
Zihan Zhao is a 3L originally from China and a Double Cane at the University of Miami, where she earned her undergraduate degree before attending the University of Miami School of Law. During her 1L summer, she interned at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. Most recently, Zihan spent her 2L summer at Taylor Corwin Van Cleef, gaining experience in construction law. Her interest in immigration law developed further through Advanced Immigration Law with Professor Ira Kurzban. In the Immigration Clinic, Zihan works on U.S. district court litigation and helping people in detention.
See former student interns
