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Ian Philabaum is the Director of Legal Organizing for Innovation Law Lab and has spent nearly the past decade in assisting immigrants through his work at ILL. He has been at the forefront in the push against the proliferation of ICE detention throughout our country. He has assisted children and families in detention. He has worked to fight against the human rights violations that occur in immigration detention including inhumane medical treatment, labor exploitation and physical and psychological abuse.

Behind the ingenuity and leadership of Stephen Manning, Innovation Law Lab was founded to harness the power of technology, law, and activism all in a single organization to end the mass incarceration of children and mothers with limited due process, if any, and in inhumane conditions. Innovation Law Lab leverages the work of coders, lawyers, and activists in order to end isolation and exploitation of immigrants and refugees, build permanent pathways to immigrant inclusion, and advance justice.

Since its founding, Innovation Law Lab’s work has advanced the cause of justice. Based in Portland, Oregon, Law Lab has team members in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, Washington, and Mexico. Ian joins me to discuss his pathway to immigration advocacy, stories from the frontlines and the critical work of ILL and their partner organizations.

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Representing immigrants in their deportation proceedings can be a challenge, but it can be even more formidable when your client is Mahmoud Khalil. Mr. Khalil, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., was arrested by the Trump administration after being a prominent member of the Israel/Gaza war protests at Columbia University. He was detained in Louisiana for three months before a federal judge ruled that he must be released to his wife and newborn baby son. Two of the key members of his legal team, Marc Van Der Hout & Johnny Sinodis, join me to discuss his case (note: the interview was recorded prior to last week's decision ordering Mr. Khalil deported to Algeria or Syria). They also talk about their own backgrounds and why they have dedicated their professional careers to helping immigrants.

Mr. Van Der Hout, one of the most recognized attorneys in the field, has made a career of fighting for the most marginalized in our society. He is the former national president of the National Lawyers Guild and his high-impact litigation has made an indelible mark on precedent case law. He is based in San Francisco as the founding member of Van Der Hout, LLP.

Mr. Sinodis is a partner at Van Der Hout LLP. He has built a reputation as an incredible advocate for human rights as an expert in removal defense, appeals, the immigration consequences of criminal convictions, and federal court litigation. Prior to joining Van Der Hout, he practiced at Salvatierra Law Group in Phoenix, Arizona, where he handled criminal and immigration cases, and regularly represented individuals who were subjected to racially discriminatory policing practices in Maricopa County, Arizona.

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Running brings great health benefits for many, but for Dr. Michael Lokale it brought him opportunity and a chance at the American dream. Dr. Lokale was born and raised in a remote tribal village, Kitale, Kenya to corn farmers. He witnessed many people die of preventable diseases. The lack of medical care motivated him to become a doctor and his intention was to go back to Kenya and help improve the healthcare in his native land, but, like the Boston Marathon, life has many twists and turns.

Dr. Lokale knew that he could get a top-notch education in the United States, but getting a scholarship would be a necessity to reach the finish line. His cousin, Paul Ereng, surprised the world in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul when he came out of nowhere to win the gold medal in the 800 meter race. Paul knew how important it was to use your best skills to get your foot in the door as he ran for the University of Virginia and received his bachelors degree. Paul told Dr. Lokale how to apply for an athletic scholarship. He applied and was awarded a four-year scholarship to Virginia Military Institute.

Warning: This is only the halfway mark of this marathon of a story.

In 2003, with his combination of athletic and academic excellence, Dr. Lokale received the prestigious Rhodes scholarship. At the time, he was only the 10th VMI graduate to ever receive this award. To put it into perspective, the previous VMI awardee was in 1967. His next stop: Oxford University in England where he got to mingle with the Queen of England and Nelson Mandela. Most importantly, he met his future wife Kathy who was also studying there.

Dr. Lokale returned to the U.S. after Oxford to attend the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He now resides in Oro Valley, Arizona where he keeps people healthier and happier. On a regular basis, Dr. Lokale returns to Kenya to volunteer at a clinic in the town where he grew up. His career finish line is still far away, but he has already won a gold medal in lifetime accomplishments!