The U.S. Immigration Crises: Enemies at Our Gates or Lady Liberty’s Huddled Masses?

The Florida International University Law School, with the assistance of the FIU Law Review, is holding a symposium on immigration on February 24-25.  The gathering will bring together nationally-renowned scholars, government officials, and practitioners to present and discuss potential changes in immigration law, as well as structural and administrative reform that could resolve among the most hotly contested issues of our era.

The symposium will conclude with a plenary panel on the prospects and challenges of comprehensive immigration followed by an off-the-record discussion among our distinguished guests.

Thursday, February 24th 8:00AM – 9:15 AM Breakfast at FIU College of Law

9:15AM – 11:45AM Panel I: The Immigration Crisis: Empirical & Other Data Moderator: Professor Howard Wasserman, FIU Law Panelist: • Professor Peter Margulies, Roger Williams University • Professor Natsu Saito, Georgia State University • Professor Imtiaz Hussain, Universidad Iberoamerican, México City • Professor Linda Kelley, University of Indiana Commentator: Juan Javier Del Granado, FIU Law Visiting Scholar

12:00PM – 2:00PM Lunch Remarks by Dean R. Alexander Acosta

2:00PM – 4:30PM Panel II: The Prospects for & Challenges of Reform Moderator: Professor Hannibal Travis Panelists: • Professor Ediberto Roman, FIU Law • Professor Maria Pabon Lopez , University of Indiana • Dean Nilda Pedrosa, FIU Law • Professor Berta Hernandez, University of Florida Commentator: Professor Cyra Choudhury, FIU Law

5:00PM Art Exhibit & Networking Reception Hosted by FIU College of Law Clinic Haiti: Faces of Hope

Friday, February 25th 8:00AM – 9:00AM Breakfast at FIU College of Law

9:00AM -10:30AM Panel III: Reform and Related Prospects (DREAM Act) Moderator: Judge Cristina Pereyra, Host of Univision’s Veredicto Final Panelists: • Leon Fresco, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee • Professor Steven Bender, Oregon • Professor Alfonso Gonzales, Lehman • Professor David Abraham, Miami Commentator: Juan Gomez, FIU Law Visiting Faculty

10:45AM – 11:45AM Immigration Reform Workshop Moderator: Josie Goytisolo, Vice President News and Public Affairs Holavision • Jesus Medina & Karen Iglesias — FIU Public Health Immigrant Advocacy Coalition students • DREAM Walker Video & commentary by DREAM Walker, Carlos Roa Reflective Discussion led by Judge Christina Pereyra

12:00PM Luncheon & Debate Debate topic: Birthright Citizenship Dean John Eastman, Chapman University Professor Ediberto Roman, FIU Law

2:00PM Closing Remarks & Wrap-up Professor Gerald Torres, University of Texas

KJ