Professor Michael Vastine joined the faculty of St. Thomas University College of Law in 2004, where he is a tenured professor of law and Director of the Immigration Clinic. A frequent conference speaker and author, he is also a leader of the immigration bar, with extensive service within the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). From 2011-20, he was elected to serve on the AILA South Florida Chapter Board of Directors, including a term as Chair of the Chapter. Professor Vastine’s AILA national-level service includes multiple terms on the Federal Litigation Section Steering Committee, Annual Conference Planning Committee, and Amicus Curiae Committee. His impact litigation principally relates to immigration and crimes, including the lead case at the Florida Supreme Court establishing the constitutional rights of immigrant defendants to effective representation by their criminal counsel, and multiple cases at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit delineating the immigration consequences of Florida convictions involving controlled substances. Additionally, he has represented AILA and other community-based organizations, as amicus curiae counsel, in forums ranging from the Board of Immigration Appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court, in matters including the constitutional limits of indefinite detention of immigrants, the due process rights of the physically deported, and the immigration consequences of state crimes. In 2013, Professor Vastine received the AILA (National) Elmer Fried Award for Excellence in Teaching.

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February 2023
International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking & Gillen-Massey Award Luncheon
The John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy in cooperation with A Voice in the Wilderness Empowerment Center invites you to join us for a luncheon for International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human…
Find out more »Mass Honoring International Day of Prayer & Awareness Against Human Trafficking
Please join us on February 8 at 12:15 p.m. for Mass to commemorate the International Day of Prayer & Awareness Against Human Trafficking as we pray for victims and survivors…
Find out more »January 2023
Inaugural Gillen-Massey Intercultural Human Rights Scholarship
Inaugural Gillen-Massey Intercultural Human Rights Scholarship Application Deadline: January 31, 2023 The Gillen-Massey Intercultural Human Rights Scholarship was established in memory of Michele Gillen and Kyla Massey by A Voice…
Find out more »2023 Gillen-Massey Award
The John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy and A Voice in the Wilderness Empowerment Center are now accepting nominations for the 2023 Gillen-Massey Award. Nomination Deadline: January 15, 2023 The…
Find out more »November 2022
Incorporating Human Trafficking Law and Policy in Law School Curriculum
On November 4, please join the John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy of St. Thomas University College of Law and the Banu Foundation for: Incorporating Human Trafficking Law and Policy…
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