Panelists:
Dr. Ramaswami Mahalingam, Barger Leadership Institute Professor; Professor of Psychology
Dr. Odessa Gonzalez Benson, Associate Professor of Social Work; Associate Professor of Urban Planning
Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig, Professor of Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology, Western Michigan University; Distinguished Senior Advisor, The Michigan Hispanic Collaborative

Moderator:
Dr. Zeinab Hachem, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Psychology

Attitudes surrounding immigration remain deeply divided in the country. While many view immigration as a strength and support pathways to citizenship, others see immigration as a challenge to national security and economic stability. According to the Pew Research Center, public opinion is evenly split over the use of state and local law enforcement in deportation efforts. However, the majority of Americans disapprove of ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for many immigrants who came to the United States escaping war or other disasters at home. Additionally, 54% of Americans disapprove of increasing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids on workplaces where people who are in the U.S. illegally may be working. Immigration enforcement has been intensified, including renewed efforts to roll back protections like DACA, increase deportations and border security, and reinstate travel bans and restrict asylum pathways. The political climate has led to increased fear and caution among immigrant communities. While the state of Michigan prohibits its law enforcement from stopping individuals based on immigration status, some state legislators are pushing for increased state and federal cooperation.

In this panel, participants will discuss the impact of intensified immigration enforcement on immigrant communities specifically, and the University of Michigan community generally. Panelists will also answer questions such as “How can we support individuals from immigrant backgrounds?”