Migration policy expert can discuss intersection of Texas immigration law, storm victims


Wed, 08/30/2017

author

George Diepenbrock

LAWRENCE — A Texas law that bans police administrators from stopping an officer from questioning an individual about his or her immigration status is scheduled to take effect Friday.

With thousands of people displaced in Houston after Hurricane Harvey, Houston's mayor has called for putting the law on hold while the city focuses on rescuing storm victims and to alleviate the fears of potential undocumented immigrants who are seeking public shelter from the massive flooding.

A University of Kansas researcher on the social effects of immigration policy is available to discuss the intersection of the new law and crisis in Houston that has displaced thousands of people.

Cecilia Menjívar, Foundation Distinguished Professor of Sociology and co-leader of the KU Center for Migration Research, is an expert on U.S.-bound migration policy and on how laws and legal context that receive immigrants, particularly from Central America, influence their lives and trajectories.

She has led numerous studies and authored dozens of articles and policy reports on topics that include immigrant integration, deportation policy, media portrayals of immigrants, conditions at immigrant detention centers and how awareness of immigration law influences students.

To arrange an interview with Menjívar, contact George Diepenbrock at 785-864-8853 or gdiepenbrock@ku.edu.

Wed, 08/30/2017

author

George Diepenbrock

Media Contacts

George Diepenbrock

KU News Service

785-864-8853