ICE and border security were some of the focal points of U.S. domestic policy under the previous administration. What can we expect under the Biden Administration? What is the status of efforts to help families separated at the border? These were some of the questions asked at an event with Tufts chapter of Amnesty International and two immigration lawyers this semester.
The two speakers who provided their expertise in immigration law were Hannah Flamm and Megan Kludt. Hannah Flamm is the Managing Attorney at the Detained Minors Project at the Door’s Legal Services Center, which works primarily with immigrant youth in detention. She has held this position since December 2019, having previously served as an attorney there since 2017. Megan Kludt was named Managing Partner at Curran, Berger & Kludt in early 2021. In August 2014 and April 2015, she was selected by AILA to provide emergency legal aid to children at the U.S./Mexico border, and in 2016, was honored as one of AILA New England’s Pro Bono Champions.
During the event, attendants first heard the speakers’ emphasis of the importance of immigration law and were later able to ask questions of their own.. Many of the questions centered around how they could become a better advocate and effectively fight against the destruction caused by the ICE immigration system. Learning from the expertise of two immigration lawyers during this tense time in immigration policy was incredibly valued by those who came to the event.
Going forward, Amnesty plans to continue to hold internal discussions about immigration and ICE detention centers. This ongoing discussion will help us in learning how to become better allies and activists. We look forward to holding more of these events in the future.