The Edley Center is closing out the academic year with a packed schedule of events and further publications and democracy protective activity. I hope you will view on our website the videos of recent convenings we held. One highlight, among many excellent events previewed in our last newsletter, was a Presidential war powers convening we hosted within days of the initiation of the United States’ conflict with Iran. Because of the pace of events, we were not able to announce the session in the last newsletter.

We have published a new white paper, from Senior Fellow Libby Washburn, explaining the statutory history of Native American citizenship in the United States. This white paper responds to questions raised on the topic related to the pending United States Supreme Court review of birthright citizenship and in addition details the specific evolution of United States recognition of citizenship for some and ultimately all Native Americans born within the United States.

Edley Center staff and senior fellows also continue to engage in democracy protection in their individual capacity, apart from on behalf of the Edley Center and the University of California. For example, Senior Fellow Seth Galanter submitted a public comment regarding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ proposed assurance-of-compliance form. This public comment noted that HHS lacks statutory or regulatory authority to require federal fund applicants or recipients to assure that they will comply with Conscience Protection Statutes or Religious Nondiscrimination Authorities identified in the proposed form. In addition, the public comment highlighted ways the proposal frustrates meaningful public participation by failing to identify who must submit the form and how often, and in so doing undermines democracy.

Similarly, Executive Director Catherine E. Lhamon joined an amicus brief submitted in the Miot v.Trump case to be argued in the United States Supreme Court on April 29, 2026. The case reviews the end of the Temporary Protected Status program for hundreds of thousands of Haitians and Syrians currently living in the United States. The amicus brief explains coded language as an important body of evidence and information for the Court to weigh as it considers motive underlying the decision to terminate the Temporary Protected Status program for specific groups. 

As we close this academic year, the Edley Center thanks the terrific Berkeley Law students who gave their pro bono time for important democracy protective research through the Political Election and Empowerment Project this academic year. These students expanded the capacity of the Edley Center and we look very much forward to working with a new group of students through the Project during the next academic year!

We anticipate active programming through this summer and in the next academic year as well, including with two major national conferences about which we look forward to sharing information soon. 

Thank you as always for your continued interest and support.

Catherine E. Lhamon

Executive Director