An oral history interview with attorney Cecillia Wang, conducted by Michigan Law 2L Renuka Wagh on April 10, 2024. In this interview, attorney Cecillia Wang discusses her early life, law school education, and path to a career as a civil rights attorney. She also reflects on her work with the ACLU, including arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court in Nielsen v. Preap. Cecillia Wang became the National Legal Director of the ACLU in October 2024.
In this interview, attorney Cecillia Wang discusses her early life, law school education, and path to a career as a civil rights attorney. She also reflects on her work with the ACLU, including arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court in Nielsen v. Preap. Cecillia Wang became the National Legal Director of the ACLU in October 2024.
View the full interview with Cecillia Wang:
Cecillia Wang discusses her work as a civil rights lawyer on cases including:
Ali v. Rumsfeld, a lawsuit representing nine victims of U.S. Army torture in Iraq and Afghanistan against then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and three senior Army officers;
Melendres v. Arpaio, a lawsuit against the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office for engaging in a widespread pattern and practice of racial profiling and racially/ethnically discriminatory treatment against Latino persons without regard for actual citizenship or immigration status;
and Nielsen v. Preap, a lawsuit challenging the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice's policy and practice of detaining immigrants in deportation proceedings even when they were released from criminal custody at some earlier time.
By: Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse
December 1, 2024
Contents: Clearinghouse Oral History Project Interview with Attorney Cecillia Wang (Spring 2024)
[0:00-43:54] Introduction, Background, Law School, and Early Legal Career
[43:55-1:02:57] Ali v. Rumsfeld
[1:02:58-1:19:34] Ortega Melendres v. Arpaio
[1:19:35-1:36:24] Nielsen v. Preap
[1:36:25-1:42:28] Final Reflections and Advice for Students
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