Public Lecture: April 17, 2018 at 4:30 P.M., 210-214 McKenna Hall, University of Notre Dame
NOTRE DAME, IN – April 9, 2018 – The Institute for Latino Studies is honored to host Mary Meg McCarthy, Executive Director of Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center on April 17, 2018 for a community lecture. McCarthy will be speaking on Due Process and Access to Justice: The Immigrant Reality. This lecture is free and open to the public.
McCarthy graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Finance and continued on to Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director of Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), one of the nation’s leading immigrant and human rights advocacy organizations. Luis R. Fraga, Director of the Institute for Latino Studies and Acting Chair of the Department of Political Science stated, “There are few people in the country with the breadth and depth of experience in protecting the rights of immigrants. We will all learn from Ms. McCarthy.”
Under Mary Meg’s leadership, NIJC has become a leading immigrant and human rights advocacy organization, contributing to national and international analysis, debate and reform of immigration law, policy, and practices. She has built a network of 1,500 pro bono attorneys who are essential to providing legal services to thousands of individuals each year. An expert in immigration law, Mary Meg has testified before Congress and is quoted often in major news outlets such as MSNBC, The New York Times, and the Chicago Tribune. Prior to joining NIJC, she practiced civil litigation and was an NIJC pro bono attorney. Earlier in her career she worked in local communities in Chile to help safeguard the rights of individuals under a dictatorship.
Professor of Law and ILS Faculty Fellow Jimmy Gurule said, “The work of the NIJC is more important than ever before and critical to protecting the civil and human rights of immigrants and fostering the rule of law.” Mary Meg has been honored with several awards including: American Constitution Society Chicago Lawyer Chapter Ruth Goldman Award (July 2015), Chicago Inn of Court 2015 Don Hubert Public Service Award, Pax Christi 2013 Teacher of Peace Award, the Damen Award from Loyola University (June 2015), and MALDEF’s Excellence in Legal Service Award (June 2017).
For additional information, call (574) 631- 4440 or visit www.latinostudies.nd.edu.
About the Institute for Latino Studies:
The Institute for Latino Studies advances understanding of the fastest-growing and youngest population in the United States and the U.S. Catholic Church. ILS strengthens the University of Notre Dame’s mission to prepare transformative leaders in all sectors including the, arts, business, politics, faith, and family life among Latinos and all members of our society. Since its creation in 1999 the Institute for Latino Studies has played a vital role in fostering understanding of the U.S. Latino experience. Building upon the history of Latinos at Notre Dame and the outstanding intellectual legacy of Julian Samora, a pioneering Latino scholar and professor of sociology, the Institute supports scholarly initiatives in Latino studies as a key component of Notre Dame’s academic mission. By teaching and preparing leaders, advancing research, and strengthening community, the Institute is true to the mission, tradition, and distinctively Catholic values of Notre Dame.