Course at UC Berkeley examines racial superiority in immigration law

UC Berkeley to Offer Course Examining Immigration Law and Abolish ICE Movement

A course highlighting the “abolish ICE” narrative, while also discussing how ideas of “racial superiority” have influenced American immigration law, will be available at the University of California, Berkeley in the spring of 2026.

According to a syllabus obtained by Campus Reform, this undergraduate course, titled “Law 132AC: Immigration and Citizenship,” has been exploring U.S. immigration law through the perspectives of various far-left movements, including anti-ICE, racial justice, and LGBTQ activism.

One excerpt from a syllabus notes: “We often hear that America is a ‘nation of immigrants,’ but this doesn’t clarify why some individuals are viewed as inherently belonging while others are not.” The document goes on to question why certain groups, especially non-white Latinos and Asian Americans, are frequently labeled as “foreigners,” despite being American citizens, whereas those of European descent are often presumed to belong, regardless of their nationality.

The course details are available on the University of California, Berkeley website, and similar content will be included in future syllabi.

Professor Christina Lee, who teaches the course, also serves as the managing attorney for Immigrant Legal Defense, a nonprofit aiding immigrant communities. She joined this organization in spring 2025. Another instructor, Professor Lisa Knox, is an attorney and co-executive director of the California Immigration Justice Collaborative, which also provides legal help to detained immigrants. The organization’s site features imagery opposing ICE.

The syllabus outlines that students will gain an understanding of the basic legal structures of U.S. immigration law. It also aims for students to comprehend how notions surrounding race, gender, and sexuality have shaped immigration policies by examining the historical experiences of various racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.

Part of the course will tackle critical concepts like “Critical Race Theory and Multiculturalism,” prompting discussions around the definitions and relationships of these ideas to immigration law. For instance, students will engage with questions about the origins of federal immigration law and how racial thoughts have impacted its development.

You’ll also see subjects examining LGBTQ perspectives on immigration law, such as how federal policies define “family” and which family structures are afforded protection under current immigration statutes.

Notably, a session will focus on the Abolish ICE movement, asking students to explore the agency’s functions, its origins post-9/11, and the overall goals of the movement itself.