Immigration has become a polarizing issue across democratic, authoritarian, and transitioning contexts. Anti-immigrant rhetoric has become part of the standard playbook for authoritarian populists. Immigration policies in ostensibly democratic countries are becoming more restrictive, all while political conflict, war, pandemics, and intensifying climate change are leading to greater numbers of people migrating in search of safety and a better life. With immigration discourse taking up much of the oxygen in politics across the world, understanding the interconnections among immigration, democracy, and authoritarianism has become more important than ever. This roundtable brings together distinguished scholars to discuss how controversies surrounding immigration and immigrants have become critical for sustaining or upending democracy.

Moderator: Nandini Dey, Research Fellow, Center for Emerging Democracies.

Speakers:

Rebecca Wai
Ph.D. Candidate, Political Science Department, Freedom House Emerging Democracies Fellow, University of Michigan

Erin Chung
Professor of Political Science, Charles D. Miller Chair in East Asian Politics, Department of Political Science, Johns Hopkins University

Alexandra Filindra
Professor of Political Science & Psychology, University of Illinois-Chicago

Silvia Pedraza
Professor of Sociology and American Culture, University of Michigan

Zoom webinar link
Short URL link: https://myumi.ch/5yEEx

If there is anything we can do to make this event accessible to you, please contact us. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.