Limits of Federal Law Enforcement

In the wake of events in Minneapolis, there is an increased interest in bystander training for individuals concerned about federal immigration enforcement activities in New York communities, and more questions about the laws governing protest, observation, and other bystander activities, as well as the risks of criminal penalties for engaging in them.
This program will provide information for attorneys wishing to better advise their clients regarding bystander activities by:
- Identifying constitutional and statutory limits on federal law enforcement officials enforcing civil immigration law.
- Explaining the constitutional rights of individuals engaged in protest, observation, and other bystander activities and the roles of state and federal law enforcement with respect to such rights.
- Identifying the risks of state and federal criminal penalties for conduct during bystander activities.
Moderator:
Karin Anderson Ponzer, Esq. Ph.D., Director of Legal Services, Neighbors Link Community Law Practice
Speakers:
Molly K. Biklen, Esq., Legal Director, New York Civil Liberties Union
Isaac Wheeler, Esq., Immigration Specialist Attorney, Federal Defenders of New York, Inc.
- March 10, 2026
- 2:00 PM
- 3:00 PM
- 1.0
- 1.0
- Virtual Participation
- Identifying constitutional and statutory limits on federal law enforcement officials enforcing civil immigration law.
- Explaining the constitutional rights of individuals engaged in protest, observation, and other bystander activities and the roles of state and federal law enforcement with respect to such rights.
- Identifying the risks of state and federal criminal penalties for conduct during bystander activities.
2:00 p.m. – 2:05 p.m.
Welcome and Introduction
2:05 p.m. – 2:55 p.m.
Limits of Federal Law Enforcement
In the wake of events in Minneapolis, there is an increased interest in bystander training for individuals concerned about federal immigration enforcement activities in New York communities, and more questions about the laws governing protest, observation, and other bystander activities, as well as the risks of criminal penalties for engaging in them.
This program will provide information for attorneys wishing to better advise their clients regarding bystander activities by:
Moderator:
Karin Anderson Ponzer, Esq. Ph.D., Director of Legal Services, Neighbors Link Community Law Practice
Speakers:
Molly K. Biklen, Esq., Legal Director, New York Civil Liberties Union
Isaac Wheeler, Esq., Immigration Specialist Attorney, Federal Defenders of New York, Inc.
1.0 Credit in Areas of Professional Practice
2:55 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Q&A
- Karin Anderson Ponzer, Esq., Ph.D., Neighbors Link Community Law Practice
- Molly K. Biklen, Esq., New York Civil Liberties Union
- Isaac Wheeler, Esq., Federal Defenders of New York, Inc.
- Webinar
- 0QQ61
- Committee on Continuing Legal Education
- Committee on Immigration Representation
- Committee on Civil Rights

