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Briefing

The First 100 Days: Immigration Law

February 21, 2025 | 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm EST

Event Details

About this Event

A keystone of President Trump’s campaign was the promise to intensify immigration enforcement. The first weeks of his second administration included the issuance and implementation of executive orders to begin this work. Additionally, the acting U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary issued a directive rescinding longstanding policy on refraining from immigration enforcement actions at “sensitive locations” or “protected areas,” including educational institutions. At the same time, the Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice issued a memo directing the Department to restrict funding to jurisdictions and organizations that support or provide services to undocumented immigrants, among other mandates. Campus counsel must advise and communicate with various constituents across campus on these rapidly evolving developments. 

Please join us for a 30-minute audio-only briefing during which NACUA member-experts, Leigh Cole and Michael Pfahl, will provide an overview of where the law stands, insights that can be gleaned from comparative realignment of immigration activities across previous administrations, and advice on how to counsel your clients now.  

This briefing is part of NACUA’s Transition Updates: The First 100 Days Series.  

Speakers

Michael Pfahl

Senior Associate General Counsel

Kent State University

Michael R. Pfahl, a member of NACUA since 2006, currently serves as Vice President, Legal and General Counsel for Relay Graduate School of Education. Mike is a 2013 recipient of the NACUA First Decade Award. He completed a one-year unexpired term on the NACUA Board of Directors in 2014, followed by a full three year term on the Board. Mike has served on several NACUA committees (and continues to serve). He has authored two NACUANOTES, served as a NACUA online course instructor on the topic of immigration law, and is published in the Journal of College and University Law. He has attended numerous NACUA meetings and has moderated or spoken several times at those meetings.  

In addition to his NACUA service, Mike has presented at other higher education associations, including NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR), the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), and the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB). He has also served on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers and Sisters of Portage County, Ohio, Leadership Portage County, and the University of Akron School of Law Alumni Association Board (President).  

Mike received his B.S. from Kent State University, his J.D. from the University of Akron, and Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Kent State University. Prior to his current role, he served in the Office of General Counsel at Kent State University for over 20 years in various roles, including Senior Associate General Counsel. 

Leigh Cole

Shareholder and Director

Dinse P.C.

Leigh Cole is an Attorney, Shareholder and Director at Dinse P.C., a law firm in Burlington, Vermont. As Chair of the firm’s Education practice group, she assists colleges and universities with a variety of legal matters, with a focus on immigration and international matters. She also serves as Immigration Counsel to Hirschfeld Kraemer LLP, an employment boutique law firm. She currently serves as Board Chair for ISEP: Study Abroad and on the editorial board of the Journal of College and University Law. She earned a J.D. from Albany Law School of Union University, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Albany Law Review.  She holds a B.A. in government from Cornell University. Leigh was a member of the NACUA Board of Directors (Class of FY 2017-2020) and its Finance Committee. She also has served on the NACUA Committee on Membership and Member Services. 

FAQs

Briefing Recording

This briefing recording is complimentary to NACUA members and is available for NACUA members to access on demand through NACUA’s Online Learning Center.

Please contact us at nacua@nacua.org if you have any issues accessing the briefing.

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