Catholic Law's Immigration and Refugee Interest Society recently hosted an engaging "Know Your Rights" discussion, featuring Professor Erin M. Scheick, Director of the Families and the Law Clinic, and Professor Jocelyn Dyer, Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of the Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Clinic. Introduced by first-year law student Evana Brenelus, the speakers delved into critical topics such as changes in immigration law and policy under the second Trump administration. They discussed the exponential increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions against non-citizens without criminal records, the detention of children and families, and the erosion of protections against ICE enforcement in hospitals, schools, and places of worship. The speakers provided resources for non-citizens as well as bystanders seeking to assist immigrants in their communities and shared critical steps to take if someone is arrested by ICE.

They also highlighted ways to support affected communities through initiatives like Catholic Law's Families and the Law Clinic and the Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Clinic, emphasizing the importance of advocacy, compassion, and education in navigating these complex issues. The event was co-sponsored by the American Constitution Society, the Latin American Law Students Association, and the Middle Eastern Student Bar Association.