House Speaker Mike Johnson has called on President Joe Biden to take immediate executive action on immigration reform instead of waiting for congressional intervention. In a statement, Johnson criticized the emerging immigration deal, asserting that it would allow too many illegal crossings. Johnson emphasized measures such as ending catch-and-release, reinstating the Remain in Mexico program, and restarting border wall construction to secure the border.
Faculty experts at the George Washington University are available to offer insight and analysis on the current state of immigration reform. If you would like to speak with an expert, please contact GW Media Relations Specialist Tayah Frye at [email protected].
Immigration
Elizabeth Vaquera is the inaugural Director of the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute and an Associate Professor of Sociology and Public Policy and Public Administration at the George Washington University. Vaquera's research focuses on vulnerable and diverse groups, particularly Latinos/as and immigrants. Her work has analyzed the character and importance of immigrant status, race, and ethnic identity in outcomes such as education, health, and emotional and social well-being. In addition to an extensive body of work published in leading peer-reviewed journals, Vaquera is the co-author of several books, the most recent of which, Education and Immigration, examines the educational experiences of immigrants and their children living in the U.S.
Kelly Bauer specializes in identity and development politics in Latin America. Her research explores how states govern national identity as global trends challenge understandings of state sovereignty; recent work explored Indigenous rights and irregular migration. Her first book, Negotiating Autonomy: Mapuche Territorial Demands and Chilean Land Policy (2021), explored inconsistencies in how Chilean state officials navigated extending elite and neoliberal governance and citizenship through Indigenous land policy.
Congress
Sarah Binder is a professor of political science. Binder's work focuses on the politics of legislative institutions, including their origins, development and impact on policy outcomes. Her areas of expertise include Congress, Legislative politics, American political economy, and political parties.
Casey Burgat, Legislative Affairs Program Director and Assistant Professor at George Washington University. He is an expert in Congress and Judiciary sections, congressional capacity and reform. He has served as a Senior Governance Fellow and worked at the Congressional Research Service. Burgat also has experience in federal rulemaking, issues of congressional reform and staffing, federal budgeting, and federal advisory committees.
-GW-
