How history informs the present: the impact of the Mexican empresario system on the development of localism in Texas through the lens of contemporary sanctuary cities

This seminar is hosted by the Centre for American Legal Studies and the School of Law Research Seminar Series. Our series offers exciting insights into ongoing research projects within the law school and conducted by our external research partners. We often feature work from our research centres (the Centre for American Legal Studies, the Centre for Human Rights, the Centre for Science, Law and Policy, and the International Business Law Research Group). Our work is often transdisciplinary, dealing with law's relationship with broadly defined social justice, policy-making, science and much more. Join us for invigorating discussion!  

In this session, we hear from Sabah Athar. Sabah Athar is a Lecturer in Law here at Birmingham City University as well as a final year Ph.D. Researcher. Her Ph.D. research is an archival study of localism in Texas with particular focus on the sanctuary city phenomenon. She has interdisciplinary research interests but with special focus on the legal and political systems of the United States. 

In this session, Sabah Athar will deliver a research presentation, followed by interactive Q&A:

Title

How history informs the present: the impact of the Mexican empresario system on the development of localism in Texas through the lens of contemporary sanctuary cities 

Abstract

The settlement of Mexican Texas during the 1820s and 1830s by way of the empresario system opened the region up to an influx of Anglo-American settlers. Whilst initially welcoming immigration from the North, the Mexican government’s eventual proscription of migration of these settlers and their slaves and growing calls for establishing a local government for increased representation of the Texian people led to Texas declaring itself an independent republic. In the years since the Texas Declaration of Independence, the determination of Anglo-American settlers to distinguish the identity of Texas as unique and distinct from Mexico manifested itself not only in the character of the state but also in its constitutional development, to the extent that it comes to provide further context to its moniker as the “Lone Star State.” Texas has had seven constitutions since its colonization by Anglo Americans, all of which tell the story of a rich yet relatively short history particularly how the state has become entrenched in the fabric of the South as well as the character of the South being entrenched in the fabric of Texan constitutionalism. The effect of this is seen in the context of the contemporary response by the state of Texas to acts of localism by municipalities. This seminar will highlight the importance of Texan constitutional history with reference to the empresario system and how it has impacted the position of municipalities within the Texas constitutional order with particular focus on the contemporary sanctuary city. 

This seminar has now concluded but it is available on demand. If you find that you do not have access, you can email the research seminar series leader at mitchell.longan@bcu.ac.uk in order to gain access.