Recently, J.D./LL.M. in International Law candidate Elizabeth Ruiz Navarro successfully navigated a complex naturalization case, helping her 50-year-old client with severe cognitive deficits and a history of nervous system diseases obtain U.S. citizenship through the immigration surrogate process.
Working under the supervision of acting director Melissa Swain and with assistance from senior program manager Katia Fernandez and legal assistant Destiny Watson at the Health Rights Clinic, Ruiz coordinated with UM medical professionals to establish the need for a surrogate who could represent the client's interests during the naturalization process.
Dr. Erin Marcus, professor of clinical medicine at the Miller School of Medicine, provided the crucial medical evaluations and documentation the student used to win the client's case. Additional support came from medical resident Dr. Juan Uribe and a dedicated social worker, forming a comprehensive team approach.
The client was able to attend her naturalization ceremony that same day, representing months of careful coordination between legal, medical, and social work professionals to ensure the client's rights and interests were protected throughout the process.
"This case demonstrates the vital importance of UM's interdisciplinary medical-legal partnership to serve the most vulnerable patient-clients in Miami," said Swain, acting director of the clinic.
The Health Rights Clinic is a medical-legal partnership with the UM Miller School of Medicine. Students participating in the Health Rights Clinic represent multiple clients in different legal matters related to health.
Under the guidance of Swain and clinic director JoNel Newman, clinic students spend the academic year representing low-income patients of the Comprehensive AIDS Program, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Batchelor Children's Research Institute, Mailman Center for Child Development, Jackson Hospital and other medical partners.
Law students function as the client's primary advocate and conduct client intakes/ interviews, conduct legal research, file legal pleadings and legal documents, develop case strategies and theories, and provide representation in administrative hearings and court. Representation is focused on Social Security/public benefits and immigration.
At the School of Law, Ruiz is also a student member of the American Bar Association, American Immigration Law Association, Cuban Bar Association, and Hispanic National Bar Association. She is also a dean's fellow to Judge Eduardo Robreno and an intern at Rivero Mestre LLP. She received her Licenciada en Derecho (equivalent to a J.D.) from the University of Havana in 2009.
"Helping people with citizenship applications at the Health Rights Clinic taught me how the law can make a real difference in people’s lives," said Ruiz, "and strengthened my commitment to helping others."
Read more about Miami Law's clinics.
