National Jurist - September 2007 - (Page 4)

FREESPEECH Letter to the Editor Immigration laws in need of repair I find it disturbing how divisive the issue of immigration is and how distorted information has shaped public opinion towards the far sides of the political spectrum. The fact that one bright mind at a Catholic law school (see Illegal immigration undermines rule of law, National Jurist, January 2007, pg. 6) differs from the policy of Catholic churches providing sanctuary (breaking the law) and promoting better treatment for illegal aliens is a graphic example. It is one of the central components of Christianity to dedicate one’s life to helping others. Illegal immigrants have no choice when placed in such a deplorable position simply because they are born on the wrong side of a man-made line in the desert. I am sure that the author wouldn’t hesitate in breaching that line if it meant saving the lives of his children and family. The benefits of illegal immigration to this nation are reported in various scholarly articles and admitted to by the highest offices in government. The Federal Treasurer, the White House and many members of Congress have conceded the fact that there is a net benefit. It is a core component for a legal professional to learn, understand, and profess knowledge of the law and its ramifications. If we were to follow the rule of law blindly, most of the progress made in civil rights and most other areas of law would have remained stagnant and oppressive. Immigration law is not a divine mandate that dictates what society must do; it is man-made and reflects the needs and wants of society in an orderly and just fashion. It is mandatory that antiquated or inefficient laws be revised and updated periodically to adjust properly. When the law lags behind because of closed mentalities, it becomes subject to being reviled, opposed, disrespected and violated. If the law is to be respected it must be based on equity. Immigration Laws are exactly the type of laws that are inherently unfair, impractical and in need of drastic change. It is part of the duties of the legal profession to stand forward and denounce the current state of affairs so that they reflect the needs of the nation and society in general. St. Thomas Aquinas once said that when laws are unjust, that it is up to a few good men to make them right. Immigration Laws are unjust and it is the legal community’s duty to seek to denounce, attack and work to fix them. Lee Jaen 3L, West Virginia University Morgantown, W.Va. We encourage letters to the editor on our stories, and topics of general interest. Please send your letter to Jack@CypressMagazines.com. The National Jurist Online www.NJPLonline.com Every law student has a story to tell. News Breaking news stories every week. Monthly updates on law schools across the country. Supreme Court Get monthly updates on Supreme Court happenings from National Jurist Student Editor Jon Peters. In her own words Hastings Dean Nell Newton faced a tough decision after a copycat threat was discovered two days after the Virginia Tech massacre. Best Value Law Schools Hear what students from these schools have to say about student life. JD Confidential Law school rock Meet Mickey Mel and the JDs, an Atlanta-based band made up of law students who sing about law school. Listen to their songs. www.NJPLonline.com Editorial Team Jack Crittenden Editor-in-Chief Michelle Weyenberg Associate Editor Jon Peters Student Editor Jim Dunlap Copy Editor Ursula Furi-Perry Career Editor Shannon Harrington Art Director Ray Silva Web Producer Zac Scuffham Web Designer Melissa Stottlemyer Multimedia assistant Publishing Team Mike Wright National Accounts Manager Mindy Palmer Account Representative Elizabeth Callahan Circulation Manager Mike Burke Accountability Manager Reprints Please call FosteReprints at 1-866-879-9144 Contact Information P.O. Box 939039 San Diego, Calif. 92193-9039 Tel: 1-800-296-9656 Fax: 1-858-503-7588 Entire contents copyright © 2007 Cypress Magazines. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. 4 THE NATIONAL JURIST September 2007 http://www.njplonline.com/ http://www.njplonline.com/

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of National Jurist - September 2007

National Jurist - September 2007 Contents Free Speech Disturbing the Peace For the Record Judge Approves $49 million BAR/BRI Settlement Law School Causes Emotional Stress, Study Finds New Textbook Breaks the Mold Southern Illinois Settles Lawsuit with Christian Legal Society Ave Maria Law Professors Protest School’s Move The Firm Report Student Hoax Shuts Down Hastings Law NCCU Grad Expands Her Program for Troubled Kids Hawaii Grad Finds Excitement in Saving Whales Diversity Hampering Whittier Accreditation? The Paper Chase Chronicles The Supreme Court: An Insider’s View Detroit Mercy’s Innovative Changes Pay Off Career Hotline The J.D. Files

National Jurist - September 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.