Statement about Disruption of 16th Annual Immigration Law and Policy Conference
The following is a statement from Migration Policy Institute (MPI) President Andrew Selee about the disruption of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan's keynote address at the 16th annual Immigration Law and Policy Conference:
“We very much regret that the keynote address Homeland Security Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan was to deliver today at the 16th annual Immigration Law and Policy Conference was disrupted by protestors and could not occur.
"In a democracy, it is important to hear from all sides on public policy issues, including from those who are instrumental in developing and implementing policy, whether or not we agree with them, and MPI remains committed to that belief.
"By drowning out the Secretary’s remarks, the protestors deprived immigration attorneys, service providers, journalists, advocates, business leaders, law students, and many others in the public who were in the audience from hearing his point of view and engaging in a meaningful dialogue.”