About the Initiative
Areas of Concentration
Immigrants offer immense contributions to the economy and labor force. Studying immigration issues and labor mobility (including circular, temporary and permanent migration) is key to understanding why people migrate and what their social mobility and opportunities are. Economic research on migration focuses on issues such as financial access and inclusion, remittances and labor market outcomes.
Migrants face numerous legal challenges, from obtaining documentation to accessing legal services. This area of concentration delves into the history of immigration policy, legal protection and international law, visa processes and procedures, the impact of immigration law and policies, border security and enforcement, deportations and returns, and externalization of migration management.
We seek to address the social, environmental and physical needs of displaced populations. This area of concentration focuses on the multitude of factors that affect the wellbeing of migrants, and our research covers housing and food insecurity, education opportunities, the effects of human trafficking, gendered impacts, climate-induced migration, advocacy and activism, migrant integration and resilience.
Experts
Conversations on Migration
The Baker Institute Migration Initiative hosts a popular Conversations on Migration virtual series, intended to provide insight into current migration developments from an interdisciplinary and multidomain perspective, inform advocacy and policy efforts, and facilitate the expansion of collaborative expert networks.
These virtual events are invitation-based. To express interest in attending our events, join the Baker Institute Migration Initiative mailing list, or suggest a topic for discussion, please contact Ana Martín Gil at [email protected].
Past presenters and participants have included researchers and practitioners from the International Organization for Migration, U.S. State Department, Rutgers University, American Psychological Association, the City University of New York, and Cornell University.
See all previous topics covered at our Conversations on Migration:
- Community-based Strategies to Support Newcomer Immigrant Children and Families: The Central American Minors (CAM) Working Group - Sarah Howell and Arlene Bjugstad, CAM Working Group
- Refuge, Return, and A Free Syria: Reflections from "The Home I Worked to Make: Voices from the New Syrian Diaspora" - Wendy Pearlman, Northwestern University
- The Impact of Deportations on the U.S. Labor Market - Chloe East, University of Colorado
- Diffusing Borders: The Evolution of European Migration and Asylum Externalization Policies - Filip Savatic, Sciences Po Reims
- Health Impact of Anti-Immigrant Policies – German Cadenas, Rutgers University
- Advancing Immigrant Rights in Houston – Els de Graauw, City University of New York, and Shannon Gleeson, Cornell University
- 30 Years of Trade NAFTA (TN) Workers – Kevin Shih, University of California, Riverside
- Open Borders, Local Closures: The Local Politics of Refugee Response in Lebanon – Lama Mourad, Carleton University
- Immigration Enforcement and Tax Returns - Catalina Amuedo Dorantes, University of California, Merced
- Separation and Support: Interpersonal Risk and Protection for Latinx Immigrants – Amanda Venta, University of Houston
- Climate-induced Displacement: Are We Falling Behind on this Unique Policy Challenge? – Julia Blocher, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Andrea Milan, Global Center for Climate Mobility (formerly, International Organization for Migration)
- Small Steps to Improve the U.S. Immigration System – Elizabeth Mendoza, Immigration Lawyer
- Agricultural Workers and Available Visas in the U.S. – Alejandro Gutierrez-Li, North Carolina State University
- Refugee Legal Protection and Capacity Building in Turkey – Zaid Hydari, Refugee Solidarity Network and Fordham University
- Migrant Brain Capital – Harris Eyre, Baker Institute for Public Policy
- Barriers and Facilitators to Migration Advocacy and Policy: Challenges and Opportunities in U.S. Congress. - Katherine B. McGuire, American Psychological Association
- U.S. Private Refugee Sponsorship in Global Context – Craig Damian Smith, Pairity and Centre for Refugee Studies
- Migration realities of the U.S.-Mexico border – Alfonso Mercado, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
