AABANY Committees and NYU APALSA Host Fireside Chat with Hasan Shafiqullah on Current Immigration Enforcement Trends and Ethics

On March 3, the AABANY Issues Committee, Immigration Committee, Government Service and Public Interest Committee, Pro Bono and Community Service Committee, Intellectual Property Committee, Student Outreach Committee, and Young Lawyers Committee, in partnership with NYU Law’s Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA), hosted a fireside chat with Hasan Shafiqullah of the Legal Aid Society’s Immigration Law Unit at NYU School of Law. The event brought together attorneys, law students, and members of the legal community to discuss current immigration enforcement trends, detention practices, and the ethical challenges facing immigration practitioners.

The conversation highlighted the rapid pace of immigration policy changes during the Trump administration and their continuing impact on immigration practice. Shafiqullah noted that more than 1,000 immigration policy changes were implemented through executive action during Trump’s first term, and that similar patterns appear to be emerging again, alongside proposals such as the Laken Riley Act, which would significantly expand mandatory detention.

Despite these developments, Shafiqullah emphasized that federal courts remain an important avenue for relief. Through habeas corpus petitions, federal District Courts can review unlawful detention and order new bond hearings or release when appropriate. He noted that “District Court judges are understanding that due process won’t permit arbitrary action.”

The program concluded with a discussion about the emotional toll of immigration practice. Because many asylum clients have experienced severe trauma, attorneys often face vicarious trauma as well. The Legal Aid Society supports its staff by providing trainings on handling burnout, secondary trauma, and sustainable public interest practice.

AABANY thanks Hasan Shafiqullah and the Legal Aid Society for sharing their insights, and thanks APALSA and the co-sponsoring committees for organizing this timely and informative program.

AABANY Hosts Tax and Trusts & Estates Career Panel at Cardozo Law School

On the evening of September 30, the AABANY Student Outreach, Tax, and Trusts & Estates Committees, in collaboration with Cardozo Law School’s APALSA, presented a Tax and Trusts & Estates Career Panel. The program was organized as a single event divided into two parts, offering students a comprehensive look into two dynamic and specialized areas of law.

In the Tax Law portion, Eric Min of Baker McKenzie, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Tax Committee, and Hardy Zhou of Cooley, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Asia Practice Committee, discussed their career paths and the intricacies of cross-border tax practice. The session was moderated by Christine Shea, AABANY Student Outreach Committee Student Ambassador.

The Trusts & Estates portion featured Yi Stewart, Litigation Associate at Farrell Fritz and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Trusts & Estates Committee; Shu-Ping Shen, Wealth Advisor at JPMorgan Bank; George Martin, Senior Associate at ArentFox Schiff; and Bich-Nga Nguyen, Executive Director at Morgan Stanley. The panelists shared insights from their work in litigation, private practice, and wealth management, providing students with a well-rounded understanding of the field. This section was moderated by Bich-Nga Nguyen.

Throughout the evening, students gained a valuable overview of the diverse issues that tax law and trusts & estates law encompass—from corporate transactions and international matters to estate planning and fiduciary litigation. Panelists also offered practical advice on career development, networking, and coursework selection to help students distinguish themselves in the job market.

At the conclusion of the program, the panelists—joined by Trusts & Estates Committee Co-Chair Natasha Chang—networked with attendees, answering follow-up questions and sharing additional insights in an informal setting.

Special thanks go to Cardozo APALSA for hosting the event and providing catering, and to all participating committees and volunteers for making this collaborative event a success.

To learn more about the Tax Committee, click here. To learn more about the Trusts & Estates Committee, click here. To learn more about the Student Outreach Committee, click here.