It's been a few years since the U.S. Constitution was signed-222 to be exact.
But James Madison would have been proud as UF students and staff celebrated the ratification of the legendary document Thursday.
The UF Levin College of Law hosted the UF Constitution Day Program, streaming the presentation live on the law school's Web site for those not in attendance.
The program explored the polarizing topic of U.S. immigration policy.
UF freshman Rocío Granela attended the presentation with her friend, UF freshman Paola Rodriguez.
"We're both immigrants, so it's very important to us," Granela said. "People have a surface image, but you have to live it personally to understand it."
UF professor of law Juan Perea discussed "The Devil's Highway," a book that follows the brutal and ultimately fatal journey of 26 South and Central American immigrants, and its application to the Constitution.
"Some of the Constitution's most important phrases and clauses protect persons, not just citizens," Perea said. "We should be celebrating immigrants. This has always been a nation of immigrants."
Perea said the issue of immigration ties back to the blurred lines of the Constitution.
"Everyone seems to agree that there is some kind of immigration problem, yet I find it pretty hard to understand what that problem really is," Perea said. "One of the things that seems to be happening under the Constitution is that there's a real lack of clarity to the degree of rights undocumented immigrants are entitled to."
The UF College Republicans tabled on Turlington Plaza, handing out pocket constitutions to passing students.
"You stand outside with a poster and constitutions, and everyone wants one they can carry around and read between classes," said Carly Wilson, UF sophomore and vice chair of public relations for College Republicans.
Wilson estimated the organization handed out about 175 constitutions, making the document more accessible to students.
"The Constitution is the foundation of our government, but it's a document that a lot of people just consider 'history,'" Wilson said. "It's a living, breathing document. Anything that we're doing has its roots within the Constitution."
