This semester, Elissa Steglich’s law students handled two cases of immigrant mothers seeking asylum in the United States, both separated from their young children in the process. One of the children was 18 months old.
Steglich, a clinical professor in the University of Texas School of Law’s Immigration Clinic, has long been involved with family detention and cases of separation. But recently, she said, the intensity and frequency of cases have “skyrocketed.” Even as an experienced legal professional, it came as a shock, she said.
“I don’t think we were prepared for this level of cruelty,” Steglich said….