Border issues, Jan. 6 and more on agenda at ABA Homeland Security Law Institute

Key decision-makers from the government and industry sectors will discuss the evolution of the Department of Homeland Security, Jan. 6 events, current issues at the Southern border and more at the virtual Homeland Security Law Institute on Thursday, April 27.

Sponsored by the American Bar Association’s Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice, the online program highlights will include:

• “Twenty Years Later: A Retrospective on Standing up the Department of Homeland Security” — Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) opened its doors in March 2003. It was the first new cabinet agency to be established in almost 25 years. The team of lawyers that stood up the government’s third largest cabinet agency faced many unique issues and challenges. Twenty years later, the department has evolved into today’s DHS. The panelists ? all of whom have worked or currently work at DHS in senior positions ? will discuss what it takes to run the department.

• “Immigration Law: Current Issues at the Southern Border” — This panel will explore the legal principles underlying immigration policy at the border, the asylum process and the various federal entities involved, including the respective roles of the departments of Homeland Security, State and Justice. Panelists will discuss a relatively new regulatory regime for asylum processing, various parole processes put in place in the past several months and other matters.

• “January 6th and its Impact on Homeland Security” — On Jan, 6, 2021, a mob violently attacked the United States Capitol, overwhelming law enforcement and scaling walls, smashing through barricades and shattering windows to gain access to the Capitol and the members of Congress engaged in the Constitution’s certification process for the president. This panel will consider the continuing implications of this event for homeland security.

To register for the virtual Homeland Security Law Institute, visit https://bit.ly/3UWbBBs.