Immigrant-origin students constitute one of the fastest growing populations of students on American campuses, and now make up over a quarter of all students. Add to this large number the almost 1 million international students from other countries, and it suddenly becomes clear why we need to have conversations about higher education AND immigration. There is no better time to talk about these issues than this month of June which is celebrated as Immigrant Heritage Month in the U.S., and June 20 is celebrated as World Refugee Day. June 15 2022 was also the 10-year anniversary of the DACA (Deferred Action for Children Arrivals) program that provides temporary protection to young people who were brought to the US as children.
To address these issues, this episode features Dr. Miriam Feldblum, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, a group whose membership comprises over 500 presidents and chancellors of U.S. colleges and universities who have come together to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform on their campuses. Miriam previously served in faculty and senior leadership roles at Pomona College and Caltech, and has been a Nonresident Fellow at the Migration Policy Institute.
Episode Themes:
Mid-June 2022 saw major news and developments around higher education and immigration. Miriam shares highlights from the Presidents’ Alliance’s recent work with DACA, immigrant-origin, refugee and international students
Why U.S. campuses need a comprehensive approach to immigration
In an ideal world, what would immigration reform for immigrant and international students look like? Three much-needed solutions.
Miriam’s pivot from a long career in academia, and her journey to co-founding a nonprofit focused on higher education and immigration
What draws Miriam to immigration issues at the personal, professional, and practical level, especially as a second-generation immigrant and as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor
The outlook and vision for the Presidents’ Alliance as its membership and work continues to expand
Miriam is an avid reader and shares her recommendations for summer reading, both nonfiction and fiction
Resources from the episode:
A sign-on statement of support of refugee students and scholars
DACA's precarious future: A conversation with legal experts and advocates
