Dialogue on Diversity: A Nation for All? Race and Immigration Policy from a Historical Perspective

Contemporary headlines often focus on the enforcement of immigration laws, but the deeper story lies in the legal and historical foundations that brought us to this moment. How has race shaped U.S. immigration policy over time? What legal frameworks were used to include—or exclude—immigrants of different racial and ethnic backgrounds?

This program will explore the historical intersections of race, immigration, and U.S. law. Professor Daniel Widener of UC San Diego will guide attendees through a critical examination of how race has influenced immigration policy from the nation’s founding to the present day. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the legal, political, and cultural forces that continue to shape immigration law and policy.

This session offers attorneys valuable historical context for current immigration debates and enforcement practices, context that is essential for understanding how the law evolves and how it continues to affect communities today.