Immigration Law Expert Available to Comment on President Obama’s Action on Deportation Deferrals

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Newswise — FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For expert commentary and analysis of President Obama’s announcement Thursday about deportation deferrals for millions of illegal aliens, please consider Elizabeth Young, professor of law and director of the Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Arkansas.

Young said the president’s action is within his power as head of the executive branch, and that Congress needs to act further to correct the nation’s broken immigration system.

“The proposal the president outlined last night will streamline the process of immigration enforcement,” Young said. “It will bring much-needed prioritization within the deportation process and immediate relief to families of mixed status.

“I have heard commentary from both sides of the issue – some arguing the president went too far, others arguing he did not go far enough – but I think the changes he proposed are an ideal execution of the balance of the powers afforded to the head of the executive branch. The changes are fine for the now, but the country needs a permanent solution for the broken immigration system. Perhaps his call to Congress to finally take action will be heeded in the coming year.”

Young’s research focuses on all areas of immigration reform. At the clinic, she and her third-year law students guide local residents, including University of Arkansas students, through the various stages of residency status with the ultimate goal of U.S. citizenship.

Young started the immigration law clinic at the University of Arkansas after serving for two years as interim director of the immigration law clinic at George Washington University Law School. She worked for three years at the San Francisco Immigration Court as an attorney adviser through the Department of Justice Honors Program. Her duties included writing final orders, analyzing and presenting changes in federal law to the immigration judges, supervising judicial law clerks and managing the Court’s intern program.

CONTACTS: Elizabeth Young, associate professorSchool of Law479-575-2549 or 415-652-2303, [email protected]

Matt McGowan, science and research communications officerUniversity Relations479-575-4246 or 479-856-2177, [email protected]

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