TheImmigrationLab
@theimmigrationlab.bsky.social
Social science research collaborative on all things immigration. Directed by @drernestocast.bsky.social and based at American University, Washington, DC
www.immigrationlab.org
www.immigrationlab.org
Growing Numbers of Afghan Migrants Face Deportation in Court
By Austin Kocher
theimmigrationlab.org
November 29, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Migrants play a vital role in addressing labor shortages, supporting key industries, and driving innovation and economic growth. Yet, many face barriers: insecurity, unfair treatment, and exploitation.
Read more:
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Labor Realities Behind the Immigration Debate
By S. Shrestha
theimmigrationlab.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Migrants play a vital role in addressing labor shortages, supporting key industries, and driving innovation and economic growth. Yet, many face barriers: insecurity, unfair treatment, and exploitation.
Read more:
Read more:
“And they say, we are the violent ones.” This cartoon by Galen Moore shows how state-imposed violence shapes our daily lives, urging us to confront the systemic harm we’re taught to overlook.
Read more:
Read more:
"And they say, we are the violent ones"
By Galen Moore
theimmigrationlab.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:02 PM
“And they say, we are the violent ones.” This cartoon by Galen Moore shows how state-imposed violence shapes our daily lives, urging us to confront the systemic harm we’re taught to overlook.
Read more:
Read more:
The Second Ku Klux Klan used Lost Cause memory and public culture to legitimize white supremacy between 1915-1930. Its influence grew briefly but collapsed due to scandals and shifting ideas of American identity.
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Rebranding Hatred
Rebranding Hatred: The Cultural Strategy of the Second Ku Klux Klan and the Legacy of the Lost Cause, 1915-1930
theimmigrationlab.org
November 18, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The Second Ku Klux Klan used Lost Cause memory and public culture to legitimize white supremacy between 1915-1930. Its influence grew briefly but collapsed due to scandals and shifting ideas of American identity.
Read more:
Read more:
🚨 NOW OPEN: Spring 2025 Applications! 🚨
The Immigration Lab is recruiting more Research Interns, Digital Communications & Events Interns, and Volunteers
📅 Priority Deadline: January 1st
🌎 Multilingual applicants encouraged to apply
Learn more & apply here 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/cdzetoayly
The Immigration Lab is recruiting more Research Interns, Digital Communications & Events Interns, and Volunteers
📅 Priority Deadline: January 1st
🌎 Multilingual applicants encouraged to apply
Learn more & apply here 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/cdzetoayly
November 6, 2025 at 4:16 PM
🚨 NOW OPEN: Spring 2025 Applications! 🚨
The Immigration Lab is recruiting more Research Interns, Digital Communications & Events Interns, and Volunteers
📅 Priority Deadline: January 1st
🌎 Multilingual applicants encouraged to apply
Learn more & apply here 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/cdzetoayly
The Immigration Lab is recruiting more Research Interns, Digital Communications & Events Interns, and Volunteers
📅 Priority Deadline: January 1st
🌎 Multilingual applicants encouraged to apply
Learn more & apply here 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/cdzetoayly
Read more about the Safe Third Country Agreement (Tercer País Seguro) at https://www.dw.com/es/acuerdo-migratorio-con-ee-uu-podría-ser-positivo-para-belice/a-74478665
November 4, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Read more about the Safe Third Country Agreement (Tercer País Seguro) at https://www.dw.com/es/acuerdo-migratorio-con-ee-uu-podría-ser-positivo-para-belice/a-74478665
Reposted by TheImmigrationLab
Though, the arrests of Mexicans in the interior has grown since January 2025, largely about individuals settled for years, with jobs, and U.S.-citizen family members.
November 1, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Though, the arrests of Mexicans in the interior has grown since January 2025, largely about individuals settled for years, with jobs, and U.S.-citizen family members.
Reposted by TheImmigrationLab
What can a 3,000-year-old story teach us about migration, identity, and belonging? Join author and classicist Daniel Mendelsohn for The Odyssey and Its Migrations: Displacement, Wandering, Identity, a modern look at Homer’s timeless epic.
📅 Thurs, Nov. 6 | RSVP: https://bit.ly/3X56mRw
📅 Thurs, Nov. 6 | RSVP: https://bit.ly/3X56mRw
November 2, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Reposted by TheImmigrationLab
"Realidades de la inmigración: ¿Cómo entender y desafiar los mitos sobre los migrantes?" Cátedra Norbert Lechner de la Universidad Diego Portales.
catedranorbertlechner.udp.cl/conferencia/...
catedranorbertlechner.udp.cl/conferencia/...
October 30, 2025 at 9:37 PM
"Realidades de la inmigración: ¿Cómo entender y desafiar los mitos sobre los migrantes?" Cátedra Norbert Lechner de la Universidad Diego Portales.
catedranorbertlechner.udp.cl/conferencia/...
catedranorbertlechner.udp.cl/conferencia/...
Reposted by TheImmigrationLab
A deeply disturbing plan, but one thing important to clarify here is that these contracts would be for skiptracing, i.e. establishing locations, and NOT for carrying out arrests.
So this would not see private contractors grabbing people — although it could mean contractors surveilling immigrants.
So this would not see private contractors grabbing people — although it could mean contractors surveilling immigrants.
“Under the plan, bounty hunters may receive “monetary bonuses” depending on how successfully they track down their targets — and how many immigrants they then report to ICE.”
Or ICE could just fund the Klan directly.
Or ICE could just fund the Klan directly.
ICE Plans Cash Rewards for Private Bounty Hunters to Locate and Track Immigrants
Companies hired by ICE would be given bundles of information on 10,000 immigrants at a time to locate — and paid cash bonuses for performance.
theintercept.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:58 PM
A deeply disturbing plan, but one thing important to clarify here is that these contracts would be for skiptracing, i.e. establishing locations, and NOT for carrying out arrests.
So this would not see private contractors grabbing people — although it could mean contractors surveilling immigrants.
So this would not see private contractors grabbing people — although it could mean contractors surveilling immigrants.
Reposted by TheImmigrationLab
Documented or not, Latinos are changing habits during ICE crackdown
An immigration attorney in Austin, said the majority of her clients are “living in fear.”
An immigration attorney in Austin, said the majority of her clients are “living in fear.”
Documented or not, Latinos are changing habits during ICE crackdown
With the Supreme Court saying authorities can use race as a reason to stop people, Latinos and others say they are wary of looking for work, shopping and walking children to school.
wapo.st
November 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Documented or not, Latinos are changing habits during ICE crackdown
An immigration attorney in Austin, said the majority of her clients are “living in fear.”
An immigration attorney in Austin, said the majority of her clients are “living in fear.”
Reposted by TheImmigrationLab
Most Latinos keep self-identifying as Democratic voters. Most blame Republicans for the shutdown, feel the negative effects of economic & immigration policies on their families. Over 11% of bilingual Latinos who voted for Trump already regret it after less than 10 months back in government.
November 1, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Most Latinos keep self-identifying as Democratic voters. Most blame Republicans for the shutdown, feel the negative effects of economic & immigration policies on their families. Over 11% of bilingual Latinos who voted for Trump already regret it after less than 10 months back in government.
Our Dia de los Muertos Event was a success! Thank you for joining us as we learned about the holiday and its many traditions, while enjoying churros and Abuelita hot chocolate. Another thank you to those who shared their stories on our ofrenda 🧡🌼
November 1, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Our Dia de los Muertos Event was a success! Thank you for joining us as we learned about the holiday and its many traditions, while enjoying churros and Abuelita hot chocolate. Another thank you to those who shared their stories on our ofrenda 🧡🌼
Applications for the Spring semester sessioin are open! Visit https://f.mtr.cool/usgairlbmg to apply before January 1st.
October 30, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Applications for the Spring semester sessioin are open! Visit https://f.mtr.cool/usgairlbmg to apply before January 1st.
Come join us at the Public Anthropology Conference where we will present our findings from the Immigration DMV project!
October 28, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Come join us at the Public Anthropology Conference where we will present our findings from the Immigration DMV project!
Thank you to all who joined Ernesto Castañeda's talk to better "Understand Immigration Realities;" Let’s keep the conversation going on International Migration!
Be on the lookout for a recording of the talk out soon on our podcast: "Immigration Realities."
Be on the lookout for a recording of the talk out soon on our podcast: "Immigration Realities."
October 28, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Thank you to all who joined Ernesto Castañeda's talk to better "Understand Immigration Realities;" Let’s keep the conversation going on International Migration!
Be on the lookout for a recording of the talk out soon on our podcast: "Immigration Realities."
Be on the lookout for a recording of the talk out soon on our podcast: "Immigration Realities."
Migrants face unique mental health challenges—trauma, fear, and exclusion—but too often remain invisible in care systems. This #WorldMentalHealthDay, we affirm that mental health for all means migrants too. Read more:
Migrants’ Mental Health Matters Too
By Maria De Jesus and Ernesto Castañeda, Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and Immigration Lab, American University
theimmigrationlab.org
October 10, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Migrants face unique mental health challenges—trauma, fear, and exclusion—but too often remain invisible in care systems. This #WorldMentalHealthDay, we affirm that mental health for all means migrants too. Read more:
Reposted by TheImmigrationLab
📣 Understanding Immigration! Join Dr. Castañeda for an in-depth discussion on today’s immigration realities. He will examine key trends, challenges, and the social, political, and cultural factors shaping immigration in the U.S.
October 15th, 3:30 - 5:00 PM, Hall of Science T07
October 15th, 3:30 - 5:00 PM, Hall of Science T07
October 1, 2025 at 5:57 PM
📣 Understanding Immigration! Join Dr. Castañeda for an in-depth discussion on today’s immigration realities. He will examine key trends, challenges, and the social, political, and cultural factors shaping immigration in the U.S.
October 15th, 3:30 - 5:00 PM, Hall of Science T07
October 15th, 3:30 - 5:00 PM, Hall of Science T07
Reposted by TheImmigrationLab
Undoc immigrants are less likely to use social programs than the native-born because they aren't eligible or chose not to use them. For evidence, see Ch 5 in "Immigration Realities." On the history and effects of excluding undocumented people from Obamacare and healthcare, see Joseph's "Not All In."
October 3, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Undoc immigrants are less likely to use social programs than the native-born because they aren't eligible or chose not to use them. For evidence, see Ch 5 in "Immigration Realities." On the history and effects of excluding undocumented people from Obamacare and healthcare, see Joseph's "Not All In."
Reposted by TheImmigrationLab
ICYMI
We wrote on October 30, 2024, about the potential influences of Project 2025 on immigration policy if Trump were to win. Many recommendations have already been implemented. Read more here:
"Project 2025: Presidential Transition Project & Immigration"
https://f.mtr.cool/vxgpbqaajd
We wrote on October 30, 2024, about the potential influences of Project 2025 on immigration policy if Trump were to win. Many recommendations have already been implemented. Read more here:
"Project 2025: Presidential Transition Project & Immigration"
https://f.mtr.cool/vxgpbqaajd
October 4, 2025 at 8:44 PM
ICYMI
We wrote on October 30, 2024, about the potential influences of Project 2025 on immigration policy if Trump were to win. Many recommendations have already been implemented. Read more here:
"Project 2025: Presidential Transition Project & Immigration"
https://f.mtr.cool/vxgpbqaajd
We wrote on October 30, 2024, about the potential influences of Project 2025 on immigration policy if Trump were to win. Many recommendations have already been implemented. Read more here:
"Project 2025: Presidential Transition Project & Immigration"
https://f.mtr.cool/vxgpbqaajd
Reposted by TheImmigrationLab
I spoke to a Venezuelan woman who was arrested in this raid and later released with her 4yo son. She said agents broke down their door, pointed guns at them and made sexualized remarks about Venezuelan women. When she returned to her apartment it was boarded up and all her possessions were gone.
US Border Patrol raid sweeps in citizens, families as Chicago crackdown intensifies, w/ @reneehickman.bsky.social @kristinacooke.bsky.social www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
US Border Patrol raid sweeps in citizens, families as Chicago crackdown intensifies
U.S. Border Patrol agents deployed to Chicago led a late-night raid on an apartment building this week, rappelling from helicopters onto rooftops and breaking down doors in an operation authorities said targeted gang members but which swept up U.S. citizens and families.
www.reuters.com
October 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
I spoke to a Venezuelan woman who was arrested in this raid and later released with her 4yo son. She said agents broke down their door, pointed guns at them and made sexualized remarks about Venezuelan women. When she returned to her apartment it was boarded up and all her possessions were gone.
Reposted by TheImmigrationLab
"many — including some who voted for the president — say they're alarmed about the use of tactics such as masked immigration agents making arrests and U.S.-born Latinos being arrested."
September 27, 2025 at 8:32 PM
"many — including some who voted for the president — say they're alarmed about the use of tactics such as masked immigration agents making arrests and U.S.-born Latinos being arrested."
Reposted by TheImmigrationLab
Another victim of Dallas shooting has passed: Mr. García-Hernández.
"An official with ICE identified the three victims of the shooting as Mr. García-Hernández, Jose Andres Bordones-Molina of Venezuela and Norlan Guzman-Fuentes of El Salvador. Family members of Mr. Guzman-Fuentes said he was killed."
"An official with ICE identified the three victims of the shooting as Mr. García-Hernández, Jose Andres Bordones-Molina of Venezuela and Norlan Guzman-Fuentes of El Salvador. Family members of Mr. Guzman-Fuentes said he was killed."
September 30, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Another victim of Dallas shooting has passed: Mr. García-Hernández.
"An official with ICE identified the three victims of the shooting as Mr. García-Hernández, Jose Andres Bordones-Molina of Venezuela and Norlan Guzman-Fuentes of El Salvador. Family members of Mr. Guzman-Fuentes said he was killed."
"An official with ICE identified the three victims of the shooting as Mr. García-Hernández, Jose Andres Bordones-Molina of Venezuela and Norlan Guzman-Fuentes of El Salvador. Family members of Mr. Guzman-Fuentes said he was killed."
We have written many reports on the economic contributions of immigrants. Sometimes we get valid criticism about reducing people to their labor. Interestingly many of the immigrants we have been interviewing in NYC & DC say that themselves in their effort to show they matter, hear Marshall Plane.
October 1, 2025 at 12:55 PM
We have written many reports on the economic contributions of immigrants. Sometimes we get valid criticism about reducing people to their labor. Interestingly many of the immigrants we have been interviewing in NYC & DC say that themselves in their effort to show they matter, hear Marshall Plane.
Reposted by TheImmigrationLab
Inside Family Detention with Javier Hidalgo and Faisal Al-Juburi from RAICES Texas
Join me on Tuesday Oct 7 at 1:00 pm EST for an in-depth conversation about the harsh realities of family detention and how immigrant rights organizations are responding.
austinkocher.substack.com/p/inside-fam...
Join me on Tuesday Oct 7 at 1:00 pm EST for an in-depth conversation about the harsh realities of family detention and how immigrant rights organizations are responding.
austinkocher.substack.com/p/inside-fam...
Inside Family Detention with Javier Hidalgo and Faisal Al-Juburi from RAICES Texas
Join me on Tuesday October 7 at 1:00 pm Eastern for an in-depth conversation about the harsh realities of family detention and how immigrant rights organizations are fighting back.
austinkocher.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Inside Family Detention with Javier Hidalgo and Faisal Al-Juburi from RAICES Texas
Join me on Tuesday Oct 7 at 1:00 pm EST for an in-depth conversation about the harsh realities of family detention and how immigrant rights organizations are responding.
austinkocher.substack.com/p/inside-fam...
Join me on Tuesday Oct 7 at 1:00 pm EST for an in-depth conversation about the harsh realities of family detention and how immigrant rights organizations are responding.
austinkocher.substack.com/p/inside-fam...