Immigration Panel Illuminates Legal Challenges, Constitutional Concerns
- Melissa Holmes
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
On April 24, 2025, more than 50 federal practitioners attended the panel discussion Current State of Immigration Law, Policy, & Litigation.
The event was coordinated and introduced by San Diego Federal Bar Association’s Vice President of Strategic Engagement, Armilla Staley-Ngomo. Armilla is an appellate attorney at Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. Armilla brought together a powerhouse of immigration law experts for a riveting and informative event.
The panel was moderated by Kara Hartzler, an appellate attorney at the Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. Kara is a nationally recognized specialist of the intersection of immigration and federal criminal law.
Lauren Cusitello is the Director of American Bar Association’s Immigration Justice Project. Prior to joining the ABA, Lauren was the founder and executive director of Crossroads Justice Center of San Diego and a trial attorney with the Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. Lauren provided an extensive overview of recent changes to immigration law and practice.
Bardis Vakili, the Legal Director of the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law addressed “hot button issues” in immigration law. Bardis is an experienced immigration attorney and self-proclaimed “immigration law nerd.” He has worked as an attorney for the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties and taught at Cal Western Law School.
Jesse Imbriano, the Legal Director of Casa Cornelia Law Center, addressed how the recent changes have impacted unaccompanied minors entering the country. Prior to coming to Casa Cornelia, Jesse worked for the Department of Justice. At Case Cornelia, Jesse endeavors to ensure that there is pro bono counsel for children facing immigration issues.
Kevin A. Gregg, Partner at Kurzban, Kurzban Tetzeli & Pratt and Advisor to the ABA Commission on Immigration, addressed Congress’ role in these changes to the immigration process. Kevin is an immigration law specialist and an involved supporter of the San Diego Chapter of the FBA. Prior to joining his firm, Kevin worked for the United States Department of Justice and clerked for a federal judge.
The attendees heard an overview of recent changes to the immigration process as well as the federal departments, agencies, and legal actors involved. The panel addressed the recent changes to federal policy and practices for handling immigration at the United States/Mexico border and removal/deportation practices. There was discussion of potential constitutional issues regarding the arrest and detention of legal and illegal immigrants as well as citizens by immigration authorities. The panel is seeing an increase in third country deportation (where individuals are being transferred to countries they have no connection to). In March of this year, there was a raid at a local business resulting in the arrest of 15 workers for alleged immigration violations. There has also been a reduction in funding for providing legal services for those accused of committing immigration crimes, including cuts for funding for legal representation for minors.
The panel addressed “hot button issues” including the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, use of immigration statutes in new ways (sending entire families seeking asylum being sent to countries that they have no connection to), and birthright citizenship.
The panel discussed how the changes in immigration law and practices are impacting children. In the 1980s, federal courts determined that non-citizen children must be treated differently than other non-citizens seeking immigration and asylum. There has been a significant drop-off in the numbers of unaccompanied children coming into the country and being taken into custody. However, the average time that those children are spending in custody has increased drastically.
We also heard about the passage of new immigration laws, including the Laken-Riley Act.
If you’re inspired by the panel and looking for ways to make an impact, both Casa Cornelia Law Center and the Immigration Justice Project are seeking volunteers. Attorneys, law students, interpreters, and community members play a vital role in supporting immigrants and asylum seekers through pro bono work. Your time and skills can help ensure immigrants and asylum seekers have equal access to justice. To learn more about how to get involved, visit the websites for American Bar Association's Immigration Justice Project and Casa Cornelia.
Overall, it was an informative presentation by an impressive panel of local immigration practitioners.
