Erin Barbato
Director, Immigrant Justice Clinic
Biography
Erin M. Barbato is the Director of the Immigrant Justice Clinic at the University of Wisconsin Law School. She teaches second and third year law students to represent individuals in removal proceedings and with humanitarian-based immigration relief. Previously, Erin worked as an immigration attorney at a non-profit organization and in private practice as well.
Prior to attending law school, Erin volunteered as a teacher at El Centro del Muchacho Trabajador, a non-profit organization in Quito, Ecuador. While in Quito, she worked with families and recently resettled refugee families living at or below the poverty line.
The Wisconsin Law Journal recognized Erin in 2010 as an Up and Coming Lawyer for her dedication to representing immigrants and pro bono service. In 2013, she received the Lee and Lynn Copen Family Justice Award from Women and Children's Horizons for her work with immigrant victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The Wisconsin Law Journal again recognized Erin's work with immigrants by awarding her as a Woman in the Law in 2014. She has also been a member of Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society since 2013.
Currently, she is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, (AILA) the Wisconsin Bar Association, and on the Board of the Community Immigration Law Center (CILC). She is also a faculty affliate with Chican@ & Latin@ Studies at the College of Letters & Science.
Activities
Erin Barbato participated in an online forum, “Current Realities for DACA Recipients and Asylum Seekers,” in June 2020. The event was sponsored by Alverno College and ACLU Wisconsin and organized by the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County.
In January 2020, Erin Barbato gave a talk at Medical College of Wisconsin, as part of a Pediatric Grand Rounds program titled "Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Immigrant and Border Health."
Erin Barbato participated on the panel, “From Awareness to Action: Immigration’s Impact on Children from Madison to the Northern Triangle of Central America,” in November 2019. The free, public event was held at UW-Madison.
In March, Erin Barbato presented the keynote, “Our Current Immigration Policies: Reflections from Our Southern Border to Our Badger State,” at UW-Madison’s Academic Staff Institute.
News & Media
Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021Erin Barbato: If you're a solo parent traveling internationally with your kids, be ready for this question
Washington PostThursday, Feb 4, 2021Erin Barbato discusses immigration under the Biden administration
WPRThursday, Jan 21, 2021Erin Barbato: New legislation could be a momentous change for immigrant communities
WKOW 27Monday, Dec 14, 2020First COVID cases confirmed among immigrants detained in Wisconsin; Erin Barbato comments
The Capital TimesFriday, Dec 11, 2020Finally some good news on DACA, says Erin Barbato
PBS WisconsinWednesday, Oct 21, 2020Erin Barbato: Current immigration policies are unsafe and unfair
PBS WisconsinFriday, Oct 9, 2020Erin Barbato: Immigration detention relies on racist, life-threatening policies. It must end.
The Capital TimesTuesday, Sep 29, 2020Erin Barbato describes increasing legal challenges for immigrants and asylum seekers
Monday, Jul 20, 2020Erin Barbato discusses Sheboygan sheriff's controversial agreement with ICE
The Sheboygan PressFriday, Jun 12, 2020Erin Barbato says, due to COVID-19 risk, many call for delay on Supreme Court's DACA decision
WSAW WausauTuesday, Dec 3, 2019Trip to U.S.-Mexico border showed Immigrant Justice Clinic students the "law in action," Erin Barbato says
The Badger HeraldFriday, Nov 15, 2019Erin Barbato: There is a 'policy wall' blocking asylum seekers
The Daily CardinalMonday, Nov 11, 2019Erin Barbato and Immigrant Justice Clinic students describe conditions at a Texas immigrant detention facility
The Advocate's Society podcastMonday, Oct 7, 2019UW Law speaker series to feature Erin Barbato, Scott Colom and former Gov. Tommy Thompson
Monday, Aug 26, 2019Why don't undocumented migrants who marry citizens automatically become citizens? Erin Barbato explains
Wisconsin State Journal
Recently Taught Courses
