Celebrating Albanian Heritage: ODEIB Feature

Mariana Palushaj, 3L, First Generation Albanian American

Mariana Palushaj, 3L, and a few other students decided to found the Albanian American Law Student Association to help build a community for other Albanian students. “We decided to start the organization to mentor incoming and provide support for current students but to also leave a legacy for Albanian students at Detroit Mercy Law. We did not start the organization just to uplift ourselves but to uplift the communities around us,” she explained.

Palushaj discovered a passion for immigration law while taking the Immigration Law Clinic. “The clinic was probably one of my favorite classes thus far. I was able to work with real clients, and it sparked a passion for me that I didn’t know I had. Even as a first generation Albanian American I didn’t realize I had a passion for Immigrants and Immigrant families.”