Texas A&M University School of Law students, faculty, staff and partners traveled to the Rio Grande Valley late February to develop a better understanding of the border region.

The Rio Grande Valley is one of the fastest growing regions in Texas, according to Professor Luz Herrera, Associate Dean for Experiential Education. Herrera leads the law school's clinical legal education efforts and works to expose students to real-world application of the law.
 
Aggie Law students, many from the Texas A&M Legal Clinics, including the Family and Veterans Advocacy Clinic, the Immigrant Rights Clinic, and the Probate & Estate Planning Clinic, conducted a pro bono workshop on ​Transfer on ​​Death Deeds and Power of Attorney at LUPE, La Unión del Pueblo Entero, a community organization founded by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta in 1989. The Rio Grande Valley LUPE office was established in 2003. 
 
In concert with College Station undergraduate and graduate students from the history and civil engineering departments, Texas A&M ​law students addressed disaster preparedness, housing, community development, border-crossing infrastructure, transportation and trade.

Following the trip, all of the students will work together to develop an interdisciplinary brochure, podcast, video and research report chronicling their experiences.

Aggie law students have the opportunity to delve deeper into contemporary legal issues involving the U.S.- Mexico border in the "Borderlands Law" collaborative summer program. Began in 2016, the program ​includes a two-week immersive, experience-driven course with Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) students in Laredo. ​Many of the law students will then continue on in five-to-six-week-long legal externships or internships in the Laredo area. 

Photos courtesy of Texas A&M Family and Veterans Advocacy Clinic. ​View the photo album.