In the latest episode of MCLE ThisWeek, host Bruce Richard sits down with immigration and criminal defense attorney Rachel M. Self to unpack the legal and human impact of today’s immigration system. Rachel shares her experience navigating emergency ICE detention cases, the legal fallout from the Martha’s Vineyard migrant flights, and the due process challenges facing non-citizen clients. She also outlines key immigration status categories that every lawyer, regardless of practice area, should understand, while offering practical tips for advocating more effectively in a shifting legal landscape. From courtroom strategy to constitutional concerns, this episode sheds light on the evolving intersection of immigration, enforcement, and the rule of law.
In This Episode:
Host Bruce Richard sits down with renowned attorney Rachel M. Self to explore the fast-evolving landscape of immigration law in the United States and what every lawyer should know to be a better advocate for non-citizen clients. Together, they discuss:
Featured Guest:
Rachel M. Self is a nationally recognized immigration and criminal defense attorney practicing in Boston. As the founder of Rachel M. Self, P.C., she focuses on complex deportation defense, post-conviction relief, and crimmigration matters. Fluent in Spanish, Rachel has appeared as a legal analyst on CNN and Fox News and was instrumental in mobilizing legal support for the 49 migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard in 2022.
Her advocacy in that case earned her national recognition, including Honorable Mention as a Bostonian of the Year by The Boston Globe Magazine. Rachel is also a frequent speaker for MCLE, AILA, and judicial education programs across the country.
Links and Resources:
Important Note:
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (MCLE) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing high-quality, practical continuing legal education for the legal community. As part of its educational mission, MCLE presents a wide range of viewpoints and instructional content intended solely for educational purposes.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by individual participants in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of MCLE, its Board of Trustees, staff, or affiliated institutions. Inclusion of any material or commentary does not constitute an endorsement of any position on any issue by MCLE.
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