National Security Lecture Series at DMGS
The Daniel Morgan Graduate School Lecture Series is specifically designed to bring together speakers with divergent opinions on national security with the goal of enabling the public to engage in robust and informed discussions. It has hosted some of the most distinguished and influential leaders, thinkers, and practitioners of the national security community. These members of the national security community have provided our students, faculty, and guests with first-rate analysis of some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Daniel Morgan Graduate School will continue to host speakers who can help prepare the next generation of leaders, scholars and, practitioners to develop actionable solutions to global and domestic security challenges.
Summary:
On Tuesday, July 11, 2017, immigration attorney Mikhail Arsentiev spoke to DMGS students, faculty, and staff on immigration law and its relationship to U.S. national security. A graduate of George Washington University Law School, Arsentiev gained knowledge of U.S. immigration law and policy by helping highly-skilled immigrant workers enter the U.S. legally to work for corporate clients. He enlightened his audience concerning the immigration process and delivered provocative analysis of the provisions of immigration law applicable in the cases of individuals involved in terrorist incidents.
Arsentiev gave detailed explanations of the immigration process and the types of visas available to individuals seeking admission into the U.S. He maintained that those wishing to harm U.S. national security interests possess numerous avenues to do so that are not subject to USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) scrutiny. Arsentiev concluded that recent terrorist attacks occurred primarily as a result of a discrepancy between immigration laws and the enforcement of these laws and demonstrated that the individuals who perpetrated these attacks entered the U.S. without undergoing USCIS inspection. He also took the time to explain some limitations of the background check process in its efforts to detect fraud.
Arsentiev interacted graciously with his listeners throughout his presentation and responded to listener questions after concluding his planned remarks. DMGS students, faculty, and staff had the opportunity to network with Arsentiev and other campus guests while enjoying a catered lunch before and after the event.
