FedSoc Event Feature: Sentence-Based Aggravated Felonies

In October 2018, Matt Feehan organized and led the Federalist Society event “Sentence-Based Aggravated Felonies” at Western New England University School of Law — a program he personally founded, revived, and championed during law school. Drawing on his experience as an Honors Law Clerk at the U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), Matt delivered a clear, unapologetic analysis of how sentencing laws shape real human outcomes in immigration and criminal proceedings.

With a libertarian commitment to fairness, due process, and limited government, Matt translated dense statutory frameworks into plain English — empowering students and practitioners to navigate one of the most technical and consequential corners of federal law. He emphasized that when government power meets individual liberty, clarity and restraint must guide the system.

The discussion on sentence-based aggravated felonies — where even a single day added to a sentence can determine deportation or relief — highlighted the urgent need for precision and transparency in how federal law is applied. Attendees left with a sharper understanding of how statutory interpretation, not ideology, should drive justice.

As a speaker, veteran, and policy advocate, Matt’s strength lies in his ability to make complex regulatory issues not only understandable but actionable. Whether discussing immigration statutes, contracting compliance, or veterans’ rights, he helps audiences cut through bureaucracy and see the human impact of federal power — proving that knowledge and liberty work best when shared.