MSU Law Student is DOJ’s Choice for Immigration Honors Program
MSU Law student Grace Tenbusch has been tapped by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for the Attorney General’s Honors Program in the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR). Ms. Tenbusch will begin her two-year judicial clerkship in the Imperial Immigration Court in Southern California in September 2024.
Asked about the importance of this position in her career plans, she said, “In the future, I intend to pursue a career in public service and serve as a policy advisor. Our nation needs to forge a workable, comprehensive solution to immigration reform, and I hope that this position gives me experience and perspective to be able to contribute to a better way forward.”
MSU Law is well known for its exceptional law students as evidenced by its track record of success for placing students in the DOJ Honors Program each year. MSU Law’s national reputation for a robust immigration law program and highly effective Immigration Clinic gives students a significant edge in competing for these sought-after opportunities. The law college equips its future lawyers with the practical experience that employers seek.
Ms. Tenbusch credited two MSU Law Professors for her success in securing this coveted appointment. “MSU Law’s Immigration Clinic was a huge factor in my securing this position. During my time with the Clinic, I was challenged by the dire needs of our clients to find relief in a very difficult system. Professor Veronica Thronson not only coached me through the intricacies of the law, but she also showed me what it means to be a zealous advocate.”
She also had high praise for Professor Philip Pucillo. “Professor Pucillo’s support extended far beyond a Civil Procedure or Evidence class. In the last three years, for every job or internship that I applied for, he consistently provided advice, encouragement, and a letter of recommendation. This job is just part of the fruit from his commitment to his student’s success.”
“It has been a genuine pleasure to have Grace as a student,” said Professor Pucillo. “She has a unique combination of intelligence, enthusiasm, and talent. And she’s a wonderfully caring and compassionate person to boot.”
Professor Thronson applauded the DOJ for making the right choice. “Grace is going to make an amazing lawyer and will be an incredible asset to the immigration courts. Her passion for public service and her empathy for the clients she served in the Immigration Clinic are special characteristics that will serve her well in her future pursuits.”
Ms. Tenbusch also pointed out the support she received from the Career Services Office (CSO). “I learned about the position through a presentation by CSO. I attended CSO events because I knew I wanted to pursue a career in public interest law but was not quite sure what that would look like. By attending CSO events, I learned about a variety of positions in the federal government and the different paths that I could take to get there.”
Further, she expressed gratitude for two additional MSU Law staff. “The job application process can feel like a job itself. When I felt stretched or discouraged, Rosa Jarquin [Office of Student Affairs] and Kristina Bilowus [CSO] always had their door open. I am truly grateful to have found such an exceptional team at MSU Law.”
The primary mission of the EOIR, according to the EOIR website, “is to adjudicate immigration cases by fairly, expeditiously, and uniformly interpreting and administering the Nation's immigration laws. Under delegated authority from the Attorney General, EOIR conducts immigration court proceedings, appellate reviews, and administrative hearings.” Learn more about the EOIR judicial clerkships on the DOJ Honors Program website.