The conference will focus on forced migration and will feature panels of practitioners who will discuss the many facets of displacement as well as generate a series of sustainable solution proposals for the growing problem, according to promotional materials.
"Across the globe, a record 65 million people are on the move, fleeing atrocities, conflict, and deprivation. We can no longer pretend that a problem of this magnitude can be addressed solely as a short-term humanitarian crisis," said ABA President Hilarie Bass.
"When People Flee: Rule of Law and Forced Migration" will feature keynote speakers Anne C. Richard of the Georgetown University Institute for International Migration, who once served as assistant secretary of state for Population, Refugees and Migration; and Louise Arbour, a United Nations Special Representative for International Migration.
"The international community needs to embrace a rule of law approach to the migration crisis, an approach that addresses the rule of law problems that both drive displacement of refugees and confound sustainable solutions for those forced from their homes," Bass said.
According to the ABA, displacement rates are at their highest levels since WWII, which has applied pressure across the political and economic spectrum. The conference will look at a number of case studies regarding the migrants' experience from home, through transit and, ultimately, to destination.
One panel aimed at the "Northern Triangle" of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras will focus on reform efforts in those countries and consider how to strengthen judicial institutions to combat crime and impunity. Another panel will examine the U.S. performance welcoming those fleeing with respect to its legal obligations under Refugee Convention, U.S. immigration laws and regulations, and human rights conventions.
Some organizations have called out the U.S. Recently, the American Immigration Council (AIC) took issue with a new, strict quota system from the Executive Office for Immigration Review--a part of the Department of Justice (DOJ)--for immigration judges to complete cases. Their evaluations will reflect the judges’ performance with respect to the quotas. The joint statement from the AIC and American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) said the policy undermines the independence of judges who determine individual deportation cases.
"For years, the immigration court system has been strained past the breaking point, too often denying immigrants, even children, a fair chance to present their claims," said Jeremy McKinney, AILA secretary. "Congress just appropriated more money to fund the immigration courts, but instead of working to improve structural flaws, the Administration is weakening its foundation. These unprecedented numeric quotas are so onerous that many judges will rush through cases to protect their own jobs."
Other conference panels will focus on migrants from Mexico, Africa and the Mediterranean region, according to information from the program.
The free conference will take place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs. To register, visit ROLI-conference-registration.