2021-2022 Events

Immigrants, Athletes, and Inclusion

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

CLICK HERE to watch a recording of the webinar.

Immigrants are 14% of the U.S. population but make up much larger shares in U.S. sports. In this webinar, experts discussed the benefits of inclusiveness in sports, and how immigrant athletes can promote greater understanding and acceptance of immigrants in the United States.

Speakers:

Marissa Kiss, Research Associate, Institute for Immigration Research, George Mason University
Earl Smith, Professor of Women and Gender Studies, University of Delaware
Michele Waslin, Program Coordinator, Institute for Immigration Research, George Mason University
James Witte, Director, Institute for Immigration Research, George Mason University

Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education in Virginia

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

1-2pm EDT

This event was co-sponsored by the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration

To watch the webinar: Click here

This webinar examined the economic, social, and cultural contributions that immigrant students, faculty, and staff make to colleges and universities in Virginia. Our experts also discussed the challenges affecting our immigrant community, and how stakeholders and policymakers can better support our immigrant workforce and student body.

Here is a list of resources provided by panelists and participants. Please consult this list for additional ways to support immigrants in higher education.

Speakers:

Dr. LaNitra Berger, George Mason University
Delegate Mark Keam, VA House of Delegates
Mr. José Magaña-Salgado, Presidents' Alliance
Ms. Zuzana Steen, NOVA and Micron Technology Inc.
Dr. Michele Waslin, Institute for Immigration Research (moderator)

Panel Discussion: Migration During Global Change

Tuesday, February 1st, 2022

1pm EST

To watch the webinar: Click here

Climate change and extreme weather events are already forcing millions of people to move, but current migration laws were not designed with climate migration in mind. On this webinar, experts discussed how climate change creates migration, what steps the United States can take to respond to this new challenge, and how immigrants are part of the solution.

This event was co-sponsored by the Center for Climate Change Communication and the Institute for Sustainable Earth.

Moderator:

Dr. John Kotcher, Center for Climate Change Communication

Speakers:

Sabrina Arias, University of Pennsylvania

Christopher Blair, University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Miranda Cady Hallett, University of Dayton

Kayly Ober, Refugees International

Celebrating Immigrant Entrepreneurs and How Communities Can Support Them

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

1:30 - 3pm EST

To watch the webinar: Click here

Immigrant entrepreneurs contribute to the United States, hire American workers, and play critical roles in the economy. This webinar featured several immigrant entrepreneurs who took different paths to come to the United States and establish successful businesses. It also featured community efforts to identify obstacles to entrepreneurship and support immigrants and refugees who want to start their own businesses.

This event was co-sponsored by the Business for a Better World Center and The Immigrant Learning Center.

Moderator:

Lisa Gring-Pemble, Executive Director of the Business for a Better World Center and Director of Global Impact & Engagement

Speakers:

Carlos Castro Sr., President and CEO, Todos Supermarkets

Jackie Krick, CEO and Founder, ECU Communications

Denzil Mohammed, Director, The Immigrant Learning Center Public Education Institute

Abnet Tessema, Ethiopian Community Development Center

James Witte, Director, Institute for Immigration Research

The Political Lives of South Asian Americans

Organized by the American Pakistan Foundation

Thursday, October 14, 2021

4:30pm EST

Waves of immigrant communities coming to the United States have gained social and political ground, fostering unique experiences of migration and identity. This webinar discussed how class, religion, nation of origin, language, and other characteristics shape the individual and group experiences of the South Asian American community and how major events, like the 9/11 attacks, influence identity and community mobilization.

To watch the event: Click here

The conversation included a presentation by Drew University’s Dr. Sangay Mishra on his book Desis Divided: The Political Lives of South Asian Americans. Dr. Mishra conducted extensive research with Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi-American communities across the United States. Dr. Mishra joined in conversation by Dr. James Witte, Director of the Institute for Immigration Research at George Mason University and APF President Shamila N. Chaudhary who discussed APF’s research on civic engagement in the Pakistani American community.

Telling Migrant Stories was a multidisciplinary workshop on migrant and refugee stories, sponsored by Mason’s Folklore Program, the Institute for Immigration Research, and the Center for the Study of Social Change, Institutions and Policy (SCIP). The two-day workshop convened social science researchers, immigration policy professionals, and immigration activists to foster transdisciplinary conversations about migrant and refugee stories. This event welcomed researchers, policy professionals, activists, and Mason students.

Friday September 17:

9:00am—Welcome

10:00am—Break

10:15am—The Migrant Story

Kate Parker Horigan (Western Kentucky University)

Marco Jacquement (University of San Francisco)

Adam Strom (Reimagining Migration)

1:30pm—Methods for Studying and Presenting Migrant Stories

Joseph Ewoodzie (Davidson College)

William Westerman (New Jersey City University)

Nushin Arbabzadah (UCLA)

3:30pm—Break

3:45pm—Amy Shuman (The Ohio State University)

Saturday, September 18:

9:00am—Welcome

9:30am—Migrant Stories and Policy Imperatives

Sabina Perrino (Binghamton University)

Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera (George Mason University) and Jaime Scott (George Mason University)

Wendy Feliz (American Immigration Council)

11:45am—Closing Remarks