REFUGEE LAW & POLICY

Catalog description

REFUGEE LAW & POLICY focuses on law and policy issues in the determination of refugee status. Refugee law has its origins in international treaties dating to the post-World War II period. This course is being taught in a period of great uncertainty regarding the U.S. refugee protection system. The Trump administration has put in place many policies that severely erode and/or eliminate protection for those fleeing persecution. At this point it is unclear whether those policies will continue, or if a new administration will begin to reverse them. We will attempt to incorporate these contemporary issues into our discussions throughout the semester. The course will begin with an examination of the international origins of refugee law, and the significance of international norms in its development. It will look at the relevance of these international norms to U.S. policies and practice in the protection of refuges. The course will focus both on substantive issues - delving into the refugee definition and who it covers - as well as the question of procedural rights. The course will also address practical aspects of refugee representation, including the impact of psychological trauma and cross-cultural communication on the adjudication of asylum claims.