Professor Michael Vastine joined the faculty of St. Thomas University College of Law in 2004, where he is a tenured professor of law and Director of the Immigration Clinic. A frequent conference speaker and author, he is also a leader of the immigration bar, with extensive service within the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). From 2011-20, he was elected to serve on the AILA South Florida Chapter Board of Directors, including a term as Chair of the Chapter. Professor Vastine’s AILA national-level service includes multiple terms on the Federal Litigation Section Steering Committee, Annual Conference Planning Committee, and Amicus Curiae Committee. His impact litigation principally relates to immigration and crimes, including the lead case at the Florida Supreme Court establishing the constitutional rights of immigrant defendants to effective representation by their criminal counsel, and multiple cases at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit delineating the immigration consequences of Florida convictions involving controlled substances. Additionally, he has represented AILA and other community-based organizations, as amicus curiae counsel, in forums ranging from the Board of Immigration Appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court, in matters including the constitutional limits of indefinite detention of immigrants, the due process rights of the physically deported, and the immigration consequences of state crimes. In 2013, Professor Vastine received the AILA (National) Elmer Fried Award for Excellence in Teaching.
- This event has passed.
World Day against Trafficking in Persons:
The Challenges of Unaccompanied Minors
July 30, 2021 | 10:00 am - 11:30 am
On July 30, please join us online for World Day against Trafficking in Persons: The Challenges of Unaccompanied Minors.
After an influx of unaccompanied minors into the United States, the Office of Refugee Resettlement faced a historic number of referrals with over 20,000 children in care in May of 2021.1 During this Webinar, distinguished panelist will share their perspectives and firsthand accounts of the challenges surrounding unaccompanied minors as it relates to human trafficking.
Participants will gain an understanding of the current situation and legal landscape regarding unaccompanied minors in the United States – from identification at the border, reunification with parents or placement with sponsors, cultural and linguistic challenges, barriers to receiving assistance, how the community can help, and more. Participants will also learn how the vulnerabilities of unaccompanied minors are at times exploited into human trafficking.
The John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy of St. Thomas University College of Law is proud to partner with International Rescue Committee and The South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force on this event.
This event is free and open to the public with registration. CLEs pending.
In partnership with
Opening Remarks
David A. Armstrong, J.D.
President, St. Thomas University
Miami, FL
Moderator
Professor Dr. Roza Pati
Founder & Director, The John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy
Executive Director, LL.M./J.S.D. in Intercultural Human Rights
St. Thomas University College of Law
Distinguished Panel
Ana I. Vallejo, Esq.
Co-Director & Attorney
VIDA Legal Assistance, Inc.
Former Coordinator
Human Trafficking Academy
Miami, FL
The Honorable Suamhirs Piraino-Guzman
Behavioral Health Specialist, MPsy
Presidential Appointee, U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking (2015-2018)
Seattle, WA
Caroline Chisholm
Unaccompanied Children Caseworker
International Rescue Committee
New York, NY
Xinia Bermudez, Esq.
Staff Attorney
Catholic Legal Services
Miami, FL
Social Media Shareable
[1] U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, Latest UC Data – FY2021, available at https://www.hhs.gov/programs/social-services/unaccompanied-children/latest-uc-data-fy2021/index.html (last accessed July 1, 2021).