As Season 1 of TendingBar draws near to its close, it’s only fitting to bookend the season with the second part of our interview with Peter Vincent, whose interview was initially introduced earlier this summer as our very first episode.
Once the former top lawyer at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Peter oversaw immigration enforcement matters during the Obama administration, and he was intimately involved in the creation of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), the program created by executive order to shield especially deserving young undocumented immigrants against threat of deportation. As Peter predicted, only days after our interview the Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle DACA, and just last week a federal district court in New York ordered DHS to proceed with accepting new applicants to the program.
When Peter and I spoke during the summer, the country was also witnessing widespread protests against police violence and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and federal agents (including personnel from agencies with whom Peter once worked) had only recently been deployed against peaceful protestors in D.C.’s Lafayette Square. Peter was kind enough to share his perspectives on those current events, which led to reflections on ethics and values in government – precisely the kind of reflections one hopes our senior law enforcement officials are willing to undertake.
Against the backdrop of that values discussion, Peter was candid with TendingBar regarding his views of the child separation policies carried out under the Trump administration, even sharing how such policies were discussed, but ultimately rejected, within the Obama administration, precisely because Peter’s agency was committed to policies that reflected its humane values. Don’t miss this insider view on the child separation controversy.
Peter Vincent’s incomparable expertise and his compassionate, thoughtful approach to immigration policy are evident throughout his interview with TendingBar. He represents the best among us – as a public servant, as an attorney, and as an ethical, concerned citizen.
To watch Part 1 of Peter’s interview, click here.