Exploring issues of immigration law and reform, guests at Regent Journal of International Law's symposium, "Immigration and the Law: Seeking the Solutions for Enforcement and Reform," recently enjoyed two "who's who" panels of national immigration law experts.
The day-long event, held Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, asked panelists to address questions such as can a historic nation of immigrants effectively resolve illegal immigration? Is appropriate enforcement of immigration laws a task for the federal government alone? and Is enforcement possible without immigration reform?
The first panel, dealing with the enforcement of immigration law, consisted of Ann Buwalda '90 (Law), president of Just Law International, P.C.; the honorable Mark Shurtleff, attorney general for Utah; and CPT Raashid S. Williams, counsel for the U.S. Department of Defense.
The second panel, addressing the reformation of immigration law, consisted of Dr. Juan Hernandez, co-founder of the Hispanic Leadership Alliance; Len Munsil, president of Arizona Christian University and former Arizona gubernatorial candidate; and Michael Scaperlanda, professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
Although the panelists offered differing solutions for the enforcement and reform of immigration law, they agreed that the federal government and state governments need to work together arrive at a more comprehensive system that is efficient for litigation and for immigrants.
"It is a true privilege to focus on the importance of this issue at Regent where, instead of sound bites with extreme perspectives, each of the guest speakers shared genuine concerns, explored and sought solutions, and most importantly, emphasized the complexity and humanity involved within the intersection of immigration and the law," said symposium co-director and third-year law student Keila Molina.
Learn more about the Journal of International Law and other Regent Law student organizations.
The first panel, dealing with the enforcement of immigration law, consisted of Ann Buwalda '90 (Law), president of Just Law International, P.C.; the honorable Mark Shurtleff, attorney general for Utah; and CPT Raashid S. Williams, counsel for the U.S. Department of Defense.
The second panel, addressing the reformation of immigration law, consisted of Dr. Juan Hernandez, co-founder of the Hispanic Leadership Alliance; Len Munsil, president of Arizona Christian University and former Arizona gubernatorial candidate; and Michael Scaperlanda, professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
Although the panelists offered differing solutions for the enforcement and reform of immigration law, they agreed that the federal government and state governments need to work together arrive at a more comprehensive system that is efficient for litigation and for immigrants.
"It is a true privilege to focus on the importance of this issue at Regent where, instead of sound bites with extreme perspectives, each of the guest speakers shared genuine concerns, explored and sought solutions, and most importantly, emphasized the complexity and humanity involved within the intersection of immigration and the law," said symposium co-director and third-year law student Keila Molina.
Learn more about the Journal of International Law and other Regent Law student organizations.