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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September 2022
Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees
Sunday, September 25, 2022, will mark the Vatican’s 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The Holy Father has chosen to entitle his annual Message “Building the Future with Migrants and…
Find out more »August 2022
Academic Institutions at the Forefront of Educating and Training on Human Trafficking Law, Policy, and Practice
As part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, The John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy of St. Thomas University College of Law is pleased to host…
Find out more »July 2022
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons Working Group: U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking Past & Present Members
To commemorate World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy presents an extraordinary event featuring three former and current Council Chairs and a Member of…
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Migration and Human Trafficking:
Tracing Root Causes & Seeking Intensional Solutions
We live in unparalleled times. A war of aggression is in full display right before our eyes. It is followed by the most devastating humanitarian crisis in the heart of Europe since WWII. Any description of its implications will do no justice to the reality of death, human suffering, family separation, property destruction, and millions of refuges on the ground in Ukraine. This year’s Academy examines one such implication – the amassing refugee crisis – and the dark underbelly it brings along: an increase of criminal activity including human trafficking and human smuggling.
Find out more »June 2022
World Day Against Child Labor 2022: Webinar & Learning Page
Eradicating Child Labour, Building a Better Future In 2002, the International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World Day Against Child Labour on June 12 in recognition of the global plight…
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