The Trump administration’s approach to immigration control has been a hot topic in the past year. This discussion has caused extreme polarization, while also leaving many individuals unsure of their stance. Various social platforms reflect this situation, yet many have found it difficult to discern the facts amidst the large amounts of misinformation. On February 10th, however, the Blue Ridge Center hosted an event featuring Judge Daniel Bress to provide credible legal insight on the topic of immigration.
Mr. Bress is best known for his work as an attorney and as a jurist for the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Before entering the legal field, he studied government at Harvard and attended UVA Law. He also served as a clerk for a Supreme Court justice. He answered questions from JGerad Alexander, President of the Blue Ridge Center and a professor in UVA’s politics department, as well as students in the audience, drawing on his legal experience and specialization in immigration.
“There are many times where I make tough calls. That is my job. There is not an evening or morning I go without thinking about what I’m doing. Because of the importance of it,” Mr. Bress said in response to being asked if practicing law can be challenging due to the amount at stake. He described the complexities of immigration by giving the perspectives of both sides. “We’re privileged to live here and we can be sympathetic to [people who want to immigrate to the US]. On the other hand, 90% of fentanyl is being trafficked from [Latin American countries].” He also went on to explain that his practice does not always align with what he believes in: “I don’t find it difficult to compartmentalize my views,” he said initially. When asked how often he deals with cases that do not align with his views, he responded, “I think that happens quite often. That’s not what keeps me up at night. What keeps me up at night is if I align legally.”
Mr. Bress also discussed the implications for those who entered the country illegally due to dire circumstances or immediate danger. “Our immigration law has certain types of protection,” he said before explaining how, if an individual is at threat due to their race, religion, or sex, for instance, they might fall under certain protections. He also went on to explain how this does not extend to some other circumstances.“Domestic violence is a huge problem in other countries but it is not a protected case for immigration. Maybe it should be,” he said, further highlighting the complicated legal framework around immigration.
Overall, the event offered students a deeper understanding of a critical issue. Regardless of where people stand on the issue, Judge Daniel Bress provided his expertise for students to become more knowledgeable on the topic of immigration.
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