Category Archives: IALR Posts

American Dream Turned Nightmare: The Trump Administration Announces Termination of Humanitarian Parole Programs

By: Kyle Spohn, 2L On March 25, 2025, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced the termination of humanitarian parole for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans—revoking legal residency for hundreds of thousands of individuals. These humanitarian parole programs (referred to as the “CHNV programs”) were introduced in early 2023 by the Biden Administration’s […]

Geopolitical Pressure Builds Around Panama Canal

By: Vanessa Levy Gonik The Panama Canal, which registers approximately 14,000 transits annually, accounts for six percent of global trade. The United States is the top user of the Canal, with 66% of 2019 cargo traffic either beginning or ending its journey at a U.S. port. Meanwhile, China—though the main source of goods moving through […]

Mexican-American Gunfight: Mexico’s Suit Against American Firearm Manufacturers over Gun Sales to Cartels

By: Carlos Huembes, 2L On March 4th, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Smith & Wesson Brands v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, No. 23-1141, in which the Mexican government is suing several American firearms companies including Smith & Wesson, Glock, and Colt’s Manufacturing Company for $10 billion alleging that the companies have been “aiding and […]

Trump’s 51st State Proposal: A Political Stunt or Feasible Reality?

By: Danielle Mena, 2L In recent political discourse, President Donald Trump has suggested that Canada should become the United States’ 51st state. This idea, though unconventional, has historical precedents; various proposals for U.S. expansion, including the annexation of Canada, have been discussed throughout history. Interestingly, in the 1950s, U.S. Congressman Timothy Sheehan introduced a congressional […]