UW’s Student Legal Services sees 25% increase in annual consultation requests under the Trump administration | News

UW’s Office of Student Legal Services (SLS) witnessed a 25% increase in consultation requests since Jan. 20, 2025, compared to the same period of time in 2024. SLS credits this spike to changes in the federal administration and subsequent policies impacting students nationwide.

In a March 2025 interview with The Daily, former Director of SLS Tanya Fekri explained that the legal service saw an increase in cases after Trump’s election in November 2024 and that the demand remained high under his presidency. 

“SLS’ mission has remained unchanged during Trump’s second administration,” Interim Director of SLS Amanda Reynoso-Palley wrote in an email to The Daily. “Our mission is to ensure that legal issues do not derail students’ academic goals. Many of Trump’s policies have affected students’ abilities to continue with their education, especially immigrant students.”

SLS offers free and unlimited 40-minute legal consultations to all UW students, with subsequent representation costing $20 per hour. Immigration is the top legal area that SLS aids students in.

“Demand for SLS’ services has been steadily increasing each year over the past five years,” Reynoso-Pally wrote in an email. “With that trend in mind, former Director Tanya Fekri requested additional funding from the Services and Activities Fee Committee this past year to hire a third full-time attorney. The SAF Committee granted SLS the additional funding … with three full-time attorneys in our office, we will be able to meet with more students every week and take on more cases.”

Along with representation, SLS began providing “Know Your Rights” workshops that educate students on their constitutional rights relating to citizenship. 

“SLS remains committed to providing ‘Know Your Rights’ trainings in response to current trends and changes in law,” Reynoso-Palley wrote in an email. “We revise our training based on the needs of the UW community to ensure we are providing up-to-date information about what we are seeing on the ground based on changing laws and political climate.” 

SLS has partnered with RSOs across campus, particularly those focused on historically marginalized populations, to educate students on their rights. 

“Every individual’s experience is unique and different,” Reynoso-Palley wrote in an email. “SLS is here for every student facing fears about their future. We encourage students to schedule a free consultation with our office to receive individualized advice and counsel.” 

Reach News Editor Anna Hull at [email protected]. X: @anna_fph. Bluesky: @annafph.bsky.social.

Like what you’re reading? Support high-quality student journalism by donating here.