Sidney Seminar: Andrew Weissmann

On Thursday, 4 December 2025, GCDC Sidney Distinguished Fellow Professor Andrew Weissmann (New York University) delivered a Sidney Seminar entitled ‘The Rule of Law in America: U.S. Immigration Litigation and Policy’.

The seminar examined the rule of law concerns in the US through the lens of immigration litigation and policy. Professor Weissmann illustrated these concerns through three examples: litigation involving Abrego Garcia, cases concerning Tren de Aragua and the application of the Alien Enemies Act, and changes in immigration policy announced following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington. He framed these developments by engaging with Giuliano da Empoli’s thesis in The Hour of the Predator, which suggests a divide between the Democratic Party, concerned with due process and the rule of law, and the Republican Party, focused on substance and getting things done.

Professor Weissmann challenged this thesis through his case studies, arguing that concern for due process is not confined to the Democrats or to lawyers alone. He emphasised that parties on both the left and the right have expressed rule of law concerns in light of recent immigration practices. Thus, he suggested, it is more accurate to understand current tensions as reflecting a divide between those who care about the rule of law and those who do not, rather than a simple partisan distinction between Democrats and Republicans. 

The presentation was followed by comments and questions from participants at the seminar. Professor Erin Delaney (UCL Laws) chaired the event.

A recording of the seminar will be available on this page soon.