Amid the ongoing discussions about immigration, Pedro Gerson, an Assistant Professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law, maintains focus on individual cases. He draws inspiration from the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, or healing the world. "One rabbi spoke about how every person is a world unto themselves," says Gerson. "If you help one person, you are saving a world, if not the world."
Gerson emphasizes personal client work and hosts free legal consultations on immigration issues. "I will always end up taking on a client," he admits.
Originally from Mexico City, Gerson's career has spanned multiple countries and roles. After studying in the United States, he returned to Mexico as a project manager and attorney for Instituto Mexicano para la Competitividad. His work included researching police practices and drafting anti-corruption laws.
The political climate during the Trump administration prompted Gerson to reconsider his career path. "The situation of migrants hasn’t always been great in this country," he reflects.
Gerson moved to New York City to work as a public defender with Bronx Defenders before transitioning into academia at Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Herbert Law Center. There, he led the Immigration Law Clinic focusing on asylum work and representation of immigration detainees.
He later joined California Western School of Law before moving to the University of Chicago to establish clinical practice at the Pozen Center for Human Rights.
Teaching remains Gerson's passion, finding Chicago-Kent an ideal environment with committed students. "I’ve been really impressed with the students I’m teaching in the nighttime program," he notes.
Outside teaching, Gerson researches criminal law and immigration intersections. He questions current punitive measures: “If what we are doing is protecting migrants from predatory behavior...we should target the predatory behavior.”
Gerson believes U.S. immigration policy needs updating due to outdated perceptions post-World War eras. He argues against misconceptions about migrants' desires: “Migrants don’t want to come...They’re just individuals.”