National Origins and the Limits of Refuge: Law, Culture, and the Voyage of the St. Louis

On June 17, 1939, a ship carrying over 900 Jewish refugees was forced back to Europe, its passengers' fate sealed by isolationist policy and the 1924 National Origins Act. Join us for a powerful exploration of the MS St. Louis and the legal landscape of asylum law. We will trace the journey of refugees from the Nazi regime to the shores of Florida, revealing how U.S. policy shaped a humanitarian tragedy. Then, we will pivot to the present day: How has the law changed? What does "asylum" mean in 2026? Join JLSA, CLLSA, ACS, SBA and Professors Daniel Gilfillan and Karina Ordenz for a candid conversation on history, law, and the enduring quest for a safe place to land.