Immigration Law and Policy Association
2008-2009 Executive Committee
President:
Vice President:
Treasurer:
Faculty Advisor:
Faculty Advisor:
"Immigration, it seems, hardens hearts and softens brains like few other issues." - The Economist
"The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), passed in 1952 and amended many times since, is a hideous creature." - Stephen Legomsky
"Immigration is a mystery and a mastery of obfuscation, and the lawyers who can figure it out are worth their weight in gold." - Karen Kraushaar, Legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service
"Immigrants are the best thing about this country. When you look at who the immigrants are, they’re the essence of capitalism and free enterprise. They are the risk takers." - Michael Maggio
"Remember, remember always that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists." - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Introduction
The Immigration Law and Policy Association ("ILPA") is a two-year-old student organization founded by a set of evening students who recognized a need at Maryland Law for an extracurricular forum and outlet for immigration-specific education, volunteerism, and social and professional relationship-building. Its founders' primary career interests range from public interest and human rights to business and corporate immigration law. Its members reflect a variety of professional foci, personal interests, and socio-political perspectives.
ILPA's activities to date include:
Fall 2007
- The ABCs of Immigration Law Seminar (Maggio & Kattar, DC);
- The Basics of Immigration Court Proceedings Seminar (USDOJ Immigration Court, Baltimore);
Spring 2008
- Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Training (Arent Fox and Catholic Charities, DC);
- Nonimmigrant Business Visas Seminar (Maggio & Kattar, DC);
- Immigration Law Career Panel Discussion (USDOJ Immigration Court, Baltimore; Murthy Law Firm, Owings Mills); and
- Immigration Legal Fair (Maryland Immigrant Rights Coalition [MIRC], MD).
Fall 2008
- Informational Meeting and Meet-and-Greet (October 14, 2008, 4:30-6:00 p.m., Maryland Law - Room 107);
- Voter Registration Drive for Newly Naturalized Citizens (October 2008, Fallon Federal Building, Baltimore) (co-op with the National Lawyers Guild and CASA de Maryland);
- The Visitor Film Screening and Immigration Detention Panel Discussion (November 12, 2008, 4:00-7:00 p.m., Maryland Law - Westminster Hall) (co-op with the University of Maryland School of Law in partnership with the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), Detention Watch Network (DWN), Participant Media, and Active Voice; co-sponsored by Maryland Law student organizations (Asian/Pacific-American Law Students Association [APALSA], Latino/a Law Students Association [LLSA], and Muslim Law Student Association [MLSA]) and other community organizations (American Civil Liberties Union [ACLU] of Maryland, American Friends Service Committee [AFSC], Capitol Area Immigrants’ Rights [CAIR] Coalition, CASA de Maryland, and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service [LIRS]);
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement Raids Prevention and Response Training and Volunteerism (November 16, 2008, 12:00-4:00 p.m., Maryland Law – Room 108) (co-op with the Georgetown University Law Center and CASA de Maryland);
Spring 2009
- The Future of Immigration Open Discussion (at Maryland Law, Baltimore, MD).
ILPA's planned activities for 2009-2010 include:
- Business and Corporate Immigration Law Panel Discussion;
- Maryland Immigration: Legislation and Lobbying at the State Level - Theory and Practice;
- President Obama and the 111th Congress: Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) Panel Discussion;
- Various Potential Volunteer Opportunities with, inter alia, the Baltimore City Mayor's Office of International and Immigrant Affairs, CASA de Maryland, Catholic Charities, the Latino Providers Network, Legal Aid Bureau, Inc. (Maryland Legal Aid), the Maryland Governor's Commission on Hispanic Affairs, the Maryland Immigrant Rights Coalition,and the Maryland State Bar Association Immigration Law Section;
- Writing Opportunities for The Raven Law School Newspaper on Immigration-Related Topics;
- Social and Professional Relationship-Building Opportunities with Immigration Practitioners and Student Groups at Other Law Schools in Baltimore and DC; and
- General Body Meetings.
Questions, comments, suggestions, and co-op proposals are always appreciated. Please feel free to contact our leadership team at any time.
Also, please see the following for additional information:
