The Future of Immigration in Houston

As a border state with a large and growing immigrant population, Texas is disproportionately affected by federal immigration policies and is ground zero for the national immigration debate. The Houston region, home to 1.6 million immigrants, is key to understanding the importance of immigrants to local economic growth and community stability.

At this conference, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and representatives from local and national organizations addressed how Houston can take a lead role in the immigration discussion. The event also included a panel of experts who shared current research and data on immigration in the Greater Houston region; breakout sessions on addressing workforce, policy and social support issues; and a screening of a short film from the “Rational Middle of Immigration” series.

This event was co-sponsored by the Baker Institute Mexico Center, New American Economy and the Center for Houston’s Future. Additional assistance is provided from The Rational Middle, the Anti-Defamation League, Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative, the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Immigration Forum and the City of Houston's Office of New Americans and Immigrant Communities.

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View video of the event below:

To view the entire conference, please click below:

Welcome and Keynote
Panel Discussion
Armchair Discussion

Agenda

8:00 am			Breakfast and Registration
8:30 am			Welcome and Introduction Tony Payan, Ph.D. Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and Director, Mexico Center, Baker Institute
8:45 am			Keynote Address — Houston: A City of Immigrants and Refugees The Honorable Sylvester Turner Mayor, City of Houston
			Question and Answer Session
9:45 am			Break
9:55 am			Introduction and Remarks — Rational Middle of Immigration Series Stan Marek President and CEO, Marek Companies Gregory Kallenberg Director and Producter, The Rational Middle
10:10 am			Film Screening — "Immigration's Crossroad: Rebuilding After Hurricane Harvey"
10:25 am			Panel — Houston and U.S. Immigration Research and Outlook Introduction: Gregory Kallenberg, Director and Producer, The Rational Middle Wafa Abdin Executive Director, Houston Volunteer Lawyers Tony Payan, Ph.D. Director, Mexico Center, Baker Institute Brett Perlman President and CEO, Center for Houston's Future Jeremy Robbins Executive Director, New American Economy Moderated by Jay Root, Senior Investigative Reporter, The Texas Tribune
			Question and Answer Session
Noon			Luncheon Armchair Discussion — Value of Immigrants and Immigration The Honorable Lina Hidalgo Harris County Judge Kate Vickery Executive Director, Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative
12:45 pm			Breakout Sessions: Cross-Sector Needs Immigration and Houston's Workforce Moderator: Jennie Murray, Director, Integration Programs, National Immigration Forum Policy and Legislation: The Path Forward Moderator: Chelsie Kramer, State Organizer, New American Economy Critical Social Support Services Moderator: Kate Vickery, Executive Director, Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative
1:50 p.m.			Breakout Session Reports
2:30 p.m.			Closing Remarks Tony Payan, Ph.D. Director, Mexico Center, Baker Institute
2:45 p.m.			Adjourn