Two women stand in front of a screen displaying US and Mexican flags, with a sign above reading "Program for the Defense of Mexican Nationals."
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Exoneration Justice Clinic

The Defense of Mexican Nationals in Criminal Matters in the U.S.


Notre Dame Mexico, in partnership with Notre Dame Law School’s Exoneration Justice Clinic (EJC), invites graduate law students from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) to apply for a summer 2027 program with the Clinic’s Program for the Defense of Mexican Nationals in Criminal Matters in the United States ("PDM"), which works on behalf of Mexican nationals facing criminal charges or wrongful convictions in the United States.

Up to four UNAM master’s and doctoral students in law and related areas will be selected for a six-week program. Selected students will spend two weeks in Mexico City and four weeks at the University of Notre Dame.

Apply to the Exoneration Justice Clinic 2027 Program

Program Partners

This program is a collaboration between:

The Program

The Exoneration Justice Clinic investigates and litigates claims of wrongful conviction. Its Program for the Defense of Mexican Nationals in Criminal Matters in the United States ("PDM") focuses on the defense of Mexican nationals in the U.S. criminal justice system. Participants work directly on active PDM cases alongside Notre Dame Law School students, attorneys, and staff, contributing to case investigation, legal research, and binational defense strategy.

The program has two phases. Participants spend the first two weeks in Mexico City and the following four weeks on Notre Dame’s campus in South Bend, Indiana. The program is designed for students committed to strategic litigation and justice reform who plan to bring this experience back to civil society in Mexico.

Strong candidates have a background in criminal law and procedure, a demonstrated interest in exoneration and wrongful conviction work, and the English proficiency to work on U.S. cases.

The Program Includes:

  • Six weeks of hands-on casework with the PDM
  • Mentorship from Notre Dame Law School faculty and staff
  • Four weeks on Notre Dame’s campus
  • J-1 visa sponsorship, with visa and SEVIS fees covered
Program Dates

The 2027 program runs for six weeks in June and July 2027. Weeks 1–2 are in Mexico City and weeks 3–6 are at the University of Notre Dame. Exact dates to be confirmed.

Funding

The cost of the program is shared between Notre Dame and participating students, who may apply for support through UNAM’s Programa de Apoyo a los Estudios de Posgrado (PAEP) program.

PLEASE NOTE: PAEP requests go through each student’s graduate program coordination and requests require approval from the student’s academic committee (comité académico) and endorsement from their primary advisor.

Covered by Notre Dame:

  • In Mexico City (weeks 1–2): Meals
  • At the University of Notre Dame (weeks 3–6): Lodging, meals, and local ground transportation
  • J-1 visa and SEVIS fees

Student Responsibility:

Selected students are responsible for the following expenses and are encouraged to apply for funding through UNAM’s PAEP program to cover them:

  • Round-trip airfare
  • Travel health insurance
  • Settling-in costs
Application Information

Eligibility

Applicants must be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program in law or a related field at UNAM and:

  • Have experience in, or a demonstrated interest in, criminal law, criminal justice reform, human rights, mass incarceration, or social justice reform
  • Intend to return to Mexico and apply their experience in civil society
  • Demonstrate English proficiency with TOEFL iBT 90 (or 4.5 on the new 1–6 scale), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo English Test 115
  • Meet the requirements for a J-1 exchange visitor visa

Application Materials (PDF):

  • Statement of purpose
  • CV in English
  • Academic transcript
  • Proof of current enrollment in a UNAM graduate program
  • Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL iBT, IELTS or Duolingo only)
  • Letter of recommendation from a professor or advisor

Key Dates:

  • December 9, 2026: Application deadline
  • December 2026 - January 2027: Application review and interviews
  • Late January 2027: Selected students notified; J-1 visa process begins
  • February 2027: Selected students apply for PAEP funding
  • June - July 2027: Program takes place

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants with English scores close to the minimum may be considered through an interview. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed.

For questions about the program or the application, contact us at mexicocity@nd.edu.