Town Hall on IMMIGRATION: The Role of the University in Responding to and Shaping Immigration Law and Policy

Thursday, April 12, 2018 - 5:00pm

Penn Law

3501 Sansom Street

Universities have found themselves enmeshed in debates around immigration policy over the past year, as students, alums, faculty and scholars have been caught up in Executive Orders seeking to halt entry to the United States of persons from certain countries, the stepping up of internal enforcement actions, the rescinding of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), and new limits on all immigration visas. Universities have been challenged to respond to the executive orders and to the termination of DACA, with some calling for the declaration of “sanctuary campuses.” 

What is the appropriate role of the University in responding to immigration policies and practices? What role can and should the University take to respond to and to shape immigration law and policy, protecting and promoting the direct interests of the university, as well as providing solidarity with the city in which we operate, and the immigrant communities that are our neighbors?

Please join a Town Hall discussion with representatives from the Philadelphia Mayor’s office and immigrant advocacy community, as well as members of the Penn faculty, who will explore these questions. Panelists will begin with brief introductory remarks followed by an open town hall forum for persons to ask questions, make recommendations, and further probe the role of the University in responding to and helping shape immigration law and policy moving forward.