Hofstra Law School Panel Examines Arizona's Controversial Immigration Law

On Monday, October 11, 2010, Hofstra Law School hosted a lively panel discussion examining the recent controversy over Arizona Senate Bill 1070 and the interplay among immigration law, criminal law and social justice. The participating panelists were Lori A. Nessel, professor of law and director of the Center for Social Justice, Seton Hall Law School; Nora V. Demleitner, dean and professor of law, Hofstra Law School; and I. Bennett Capers, associate professor of law and associate dean of intellectual life, Hofstra Law School.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Hofstra Law School
• SB1070
• immigration
• immigration law
• constitutional law
• criminal law
• social justice

[EzraDogpound]

As a documented immigrant herself, Dean Demleitner ought to know better. She went through the hassle of comng here legally. In her native Germany, they are finally waking up and getting serious about addressing the fundamental changes -- mostly negative --that some immigrant groups effect on the host culture.

[EzraDogpound]

First, no evidence was presented to suggest a correlation between numbers of illegal invaders -- and this is what they are, not merely "immigrants", Professor (!) -- entering and the contemporaneous number of deportations. In fact, the figures quoted by the Dean suggest that the number of deportations are a drop in the bucket compared to Pew's estimate of the number of illegals, and this backlog is prima facie evidence of the federal gov't's neglect of the problem for the past three decades.

[EzraDogpound]

With all due respect to Dean Demleitner and the Seton Hall prof, to suggest that this law is somehow "misguided" because deportations are up and crime is down is just plain disingenuous. These trends reflect only a snapshot of the past two years, likely just statistical blips in the overarching trends that have been moving inexorably in one direction over the past 30 years. It's like saying, "the number of jobs increased over the past two months, so there is no need to take action."

[Stwatubes]

Also, I thought I would mention ... Are you guys sure this is a forum and a panel. The audience looks somewhat captive to me, if you know what I mean. Just thought I would mention it. BTW, this case will be adjudicated on its merits and the law. Tension, politics, Obama, Brewer, PEW, immigration stats, crime stats, and all the other things you mention, will have NO bearing. I think I was slightly misled by your summary comments above regarding the CONSTITUTION.

[Stwatubes]

Regarding racial profiling, a recent District Court decision from Iowa, stated that RACE or Ethnicity is NOT SYNONOMOUS with IMMIGRATION STATUS. If this becomes the rule over time, Latinos, will NOT be able to cry Racial Profiling using the argument that all illegals are Hispanic, so all deportations MUST be the result of profiling.

[Stwatubes]

You guys probalby don't realize it, but the Obama administration has dropped more deportation cases than any other administration. Enforcement is not sky high. More people are coming in every year than those that are being deported by a wide margin. You guys failed to mention those numbers from the PEW report.

[Stwatubes]

Regarding the crime rates in Arizona. Over 100,000 illegals left Arizona after the E-Verify law was passed in 2007/8. As they left, property related crimes have gone down. However, other crimes related to drug and human smuggling have gone up. For instance, KIDNAPPING. Thats when the Cartel guys smuggle in illegals and then hold them for more money and/or drug related services.

[Stwatubes]

To the babe from Seaton Hall. Did I hear you refer to the Executive Branch as "The Federal Government". We'll see, I just watched the Ninth Circuit hearing today, and they left me with the impression the the Executive Branch DOES NOT have that authority to "change" a statute, when the mood strikes them.

[Stwatubes]

Where is this law school. The Moon?