Conference: Noncitizen Participation in the American Policy

The Institute of Bill of Rights Law is pleased to invite you to the William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal’s 2011-2012 Symposium, “Non-Citizen Participation in the American Polity” Friday, March 30, 2012; 2 – 5 pm Saturday, March 31, 2012; 9 am – 1 pm.

Noncitizens have a lot of rights in the United States, but there are specific ways in which their participation within American society is limited. For example, lawful permanent residents can contribute to federal election campaigns, but they are not allowed to vote. Noncitizens are entitled to a free K-12 public education regardless of their immigration status, but immigration status can make all the difference for access to college and university. Lawful permanent residents generally have a right to return to the United States after a vacation abroad, but they can be removed from the United States if they engage in specific behavior. Noncitizens cannot be denied access to state welfare benefits because of their alienage, but they can be denied federal welfare benefits because of alienage.

This symposium will explore why such distinctions exist and what role ideas about membership play in executive, judicial, and legislative decisions about the rights of noncitizens.

Here is teh schedule:

1:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Welcoming Remarks (Peter Schuck, remotely)

1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Are State Laws Restricting Immigrant’s Civil Rights? Self-deportation and the Fight against the DREAM Act

• Kevin Johnson, UC Davis, The “New” Civil Rights: Is the “New” Birmingham” Like the “Old” Birmingham?

• Michael Olivas, University of Houston, Dreams Deferred: Deferred Action, Discretion, and the Vexing Case(s) of DREAM Act Students

• Moderator: Alli Larsen

2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. The Aims and Impacts of Immigration Policy in the United States and the World

• Stephen Lee, UC Irvine, Police, Employers, Immigrants, and Work

• Stephen Legomsky, Washington University, Immigration Policy from Scratch: The Universal and the Unique

• Moderator: Cindy Hahamovitch

3:45 – 4:00 BREAK 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Evolution of State and Local Immigration Enforcement: From the Turn of the Century to Current Implications

• Jennifer Chacón, UC Irvine, The New Immigration Federalism

• Rick Su, SUNY Buffalo, working title, Immigrant Representation in the Reform City

• Moderator: Angela Banks 6:45 pm

Saturday 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. The Philosophy of Citizenship

• Deep Gulasekaram, Santa Clara Law, untitled, on the 2nd Amendment and Citizenship

• Peter Spiro, Temple University, The Difference that Citizenship Doesn’t Make

• Moderator: Michael Green

10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Polity Participation: Noncitizens & the Expansion of Legal Rights

• Dan Kanstroom, Boston College, Empowering the “Voteless Class of Litigants:” Noncitizens’ Legal Claims as Participation in the Polity

• Rose Cuison Villazor, Hofstra University, CNMI Guest Workers: Their Ongoing Quest for Permanent Membership.

• Moderator: Linda Malone

11:30 to Noon Closing Remarks

KJ