Immigration Law and Border Enforcement:
San Diego, CA

Immigration Enforcement at the Border (3 credits)
Taught by Professor Alexander Holtzman

The three credit course analyzes the ways in which federal immigration officers enforce immigration laws at the border and the various legal, political, human and moral issues that they raise. The course examines the relevant provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), regulatory authority, case law applicable to asylum seekers, and a myriad of laws and policies related to rights and issues confronting officials working on the U.S.-Mexico border and individuals seeking to cross it. Students may have the opportunity to cross the border to visit the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana, attend immigration court proceedings, meet with a federal judge and observe hearings, meet with the Border Enforcement Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and take a walking tour along the border, among other experiences that make this program a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

San Diego is on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, approximately 120 miles south of Los Angeles and adjacent to the border with Mexico. One of the nation’s fastest-growing cities, it is the eighth-largest city in the U.S. and second-largest in California.

San Diego is known for its mild year-round climate, natural deep-water harbor, extensive beaches and long association with the U.S. Navy.

Schedule

The schedule for the 2025 Border Enforcement Program: TBA

Border Enforcement Program Schedule (PDF)

Students may be required to attend three hours of lecture in advance of participating in the program. The advance lectures will be available via webcast so that non-Hofstra Law students can participate in the program.

Housing

The program will provide housing at a local hotel, SpringHill Suites San Diego Mission Valley.

Each room will house two students. You will be asked to fill out a “Room Selection” form, but the Maurice A. Deane School of Law reserves the right to make the final decision about placement in the hotel.

All rooms will have students of the same gender, unless you specifically request to have a person of a different gender as your roommate.

2025 Tuition and Program Fees: TBA

2024 Tuition and Program Fees (for reference only):

Tuition

$3,510.00 (3 credits)

Program Fee

$2,000.00

The fee includes:

• Accommodations for the duration of the program
• Opening reception
• Guest lectures
• Social dinner
• Special border security training and tour with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The total cost of the program is substantially less than the per credit rate offered for on-campus programs in the hopes that students will seriously consider the professional and educational value of this opportunity.

Download the 2025 Immigration Law and Border Enforcement Program Application (PDF).

Application Deadline

The application deadline is Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

On acceptance, students will receive a letter that permits them to move forward with the financial aid process.

Because there are a limited number of spots in the program, applicants must include a statement of interest when submitting their application.

Eligibility Criteria, Academic Requirements and Grading

Eligibility

The program is open to all law students who have completed all first-year day courses and who are in good academic standing at an ABA-accredited law school. (Maurice A. Deane School of Law students must have at least a 2.2 GPA.)

Note: If you attend a law school other than Hofstra Law, you must submit a letter from your law school verifying that you meet the above requirements.

Academic Requirements

All students are required to enroll in a 3-credit course. There will also be required field trips to local legal institutions.

Grading

Hofstra Law’s grading standards apply, and Maurice A. Deane School of Law transcripts will be sent out. Acceptance of credits earned during the program is subject to the determination of your home school.

Grades are based on an examination in each course. The grading policy in the program is the same as in the regular course of study at Hofstra Law. The grade scale is: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D and F.

Faculty

Alexander Holtzman
Visiting Associate Clinical Professor of Law, Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University

Alexander T. Holtzman, Esq. is the Director of the Deportation Defense Clinic. Prior to this role, Alex was a staff attorney with the Safe Passage Project (SPP), where he worked for three years. At SPP, he represented immigrant youth, including separated and unaccompanied children, many of whom were in deportation proceedings. His caseload consisted primarily of asylum and special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS) cases. Alex began his work with Safe Passage Project as a Justice Fellow with Immigrant Justice Corps (IJC), and he remains on IJC's Advisory Committee. Alex attended The Ohio State University, where he received his J.D. from the Michael E. Moritz College of Law and an M.A. in Public Policy from the John Glenn School of Public Policy. Alex's interest in immigration stems from his mother's emigration from Serbia, and his time living abroad in Ecuador.

Administration

Jessika Pineda, Associate Director of International Law Programs and Student Affairs
Send an Email
(516) 463-0417

Joanne Masci, Senior Support Specialist
Send an Email
(516) 463-4547

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries about the program to internationalprograms@hofstra.edu or (516) 463-4547.

The program is open to all law students who have completed all first-year day courses and who are in good academic standing at an ABA-accredited law school. (Maurice A. Deane School of Law students must have at least a 2.2 GPA.). ONLY U.S. citizens and people with valid visas can attend.

We require the application, a statement of interest, a copy of your passport, driver license, and valid visa, if applicable. A non-refundable deposit of $500 will be due upon acceptance into the program. Once accepted, the deposit will be applied to your program costs.

Along with materials listed above, visiting students must submit a letter of good standing from their institution.

Social Security Number, Passport, Driver’s License (or State ID), Valid Visa if applicable (also providing country of origin).

Various agencies complete pre-clearance and run a background check on all participants entering government facilities.

Yes, we spend a day or two in Tijuana, including a potential visit to the U.S. Consulate, which is why we require passports and valid visas. Participants must go to Mexico, this is a mandatory excursion. All students must attend with their passport.

Hofstra does not insure non-participants. Additionally, non-participants cannot attend course events.

Unless specified on application, students will receive one roommate. If you would like a single room, you will incur extra costs (2025 extra cost for single room: TBA).

No, participants are required to secure their own travel and arrive on the specified start date.

Yes, participants may arrive early or leave late. Accommodations must be secured and funded by said participant for any extra days/nights.

Yes, participants must inform the Office of International Programs if they are driving to the program location. Additionally, the hotel will charge the participant a discounted overnight self-parking fee: TBA.

All breakfasts are included at the hotel, certain lunches are provided on some excursions and some group dinners are also included. There are local grocery stores to purchase food for the week, all accommodations come with a kitchenette. The schedule denotes when you need to provide your own lunch, snack, etc.

At this time, classes will be held on site at the hotel.* (*Subject to change)

No, we have a bus reserved for each day for all activities listed on the schedule.

Hofstra does not provide airport transportation, this is the responsibility of the student.

No.

The final exam will be emailed to you after the program has concluded. You will receive more instructions then.

All students will receive a letter grade on their Hofstra transcript – this course cannot be taken Pass/Fail.

Once accepted and admitted to the program, if you have any specific questions about financial aid, please contact Hofstra Law’s Office of Financial Aid. Please call or email: (516) 463-6706 or lawfinaid@hofstra.edu.