Institute for Immigration Research-GMU

2022 National Service and Civic Engagement Research Grants

2022 National Service and Civic Engagement Research Grants AmeriCorps completed the 2022 National Service and Civic Engagement Funding Opportunity, resulting in 21 awards to universities based in 16 states and territories across the nation. These grants, totaling $3.7 million will support research of civic engagement, social cohesion, volunteering and natio...

5th Annual New American Voices Award Ceremony

Don't forget to register for the 5th Annual New American Voices Award Ceremony on October 13th at 7:30pm!

This ceremony is part of the festival from October 12th-15th

https://iir.gmu.edu/events/13964

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5th-annual-new-american-voices-award-ceremony-tickets-404891369987?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=email&utm_content=remind_me&utm_campaign=remind_me_event&utm_term=5th+Annual+New+American+Voices+Award+Ceremony&aff=ebemrmremindmeemail

5th Annual New American Voices Award Ceremony Thursday, October 13, 2022 7:30 PM EDT: Join the IIR and Fall for the Book as we hear from the three finalist immigrant writers and celebrate the...

In its Plyler v Doe decision in 1982, the US Supreme Court extended a free, public K-12 education to all students regardless of immigration status. Today, that decision is being challenged.

Learn all about Plyler in our new report and fact sheet by IIR graduate research assistant Amanda Warner. https://iir.gmu.edu/publications/integration

We are hiring an Assistant Director. Do you want to conduct immigration research at a major research university in a diverse area of the country? Do you like to manage project, host events, and build relationships? More information at https://jobs.gmu.edu/postings/55020

A Triumph of the Debuts | Washington Independent Review of Books

A Triumph of the Debuts | Washington Independent Review of Books The Independent is an important voice in the community of readers and writers dedicated to book reviews and writing about the world of books.

Debut Writers Dominate New American Voices Award Shortlist - Fall for the Book Festival

Debut Writers Dominate New American Voices Award Shortlist - Fall for the Book Festival Debut writers Sindya Bhanoo, Daphne Palasi Andreades, and Aamina Ahmad dominate the shortlist for the New American Voices Award.

We recently released new survey data examining Americans' attitudes towards immigrants in 7 cities: Boston, Detroit, Miami, Philadelphia, San Jose, and Seattle. We learned that having frequent and friendly interactions with immigrants in your local area leads to positive feelings about immigrants nationally. See the results for all 7 cities at https://iir.gmu.edu/publications/ati

James Witte and Marissa Kiss column: Immigrant athletes can become agents of change

IIR's Dr. James Witte and Dr. Marissa Kiss just published on op ed on the value of foreign-born athletes for teams, their communities, and the US.

"Like other foreign-born athletes playing high-profile sports in the United States, [Soto's] come to embody the worth of diversity. It helps bring communities together by fostering a greater understanding and inclusion of immigrants generally, as well as championing the success of other Dominican athletes."

James Witte and Marissa Kiss column: Immigrant athletes can become agents of change By James Witte and Marissa Kiss

Did you miss our webinar last week on Immigrants, Athletes, and Inclusion? You're in luck! The recording is now available on our website at https://iir.gmu.edu/about/iir-events

TODAY! Join our panel of experts for a discussion on immigrant athletes in the US at 3:00pm. Register at https://gmu.zoom.us/webinar/register/1416504870055/WN_K2CksiJZSEK9SuN_gwfXIw

Join us TOMORROW for our webinar on immigrants, sports, and inclusion. Learn from experts about how immigrant athletes are included in US sports, and how that inclusion can educate Americans about immigrants. Register at https://gmu.zoom.us/webinar/register/1416504870055/WN_K2CksiJZSEK9SuN_gwfXIw…

Immigrants like soccer star Catarina Macario are contributing to US sports and may help us be more understanding of immigrants in general. Learn more about our research on Immigrants, Athletes, and Inclusion on June 1 at 3pm. Register at https://gmu.zoom.us/webinar/register/1416504870055/WN_K2CksiJZSEK9SuN_gwfXIw

Shohei Ohtani and other foreign-born players are having a huge influence on baseball and other sports in the US. Do you want to learn more about how immigrant athletes impact sports? Are you interested in how immigrants in sports can lead to greater understanding and inclusion in the US? Join us for our upcoming webinar on June 1 at 3pm EST. Register at: https://gmu.zoom.us/webinar/register/1416504870055/WN_K2CksiJZSEK9SuN_gwfXIw

Immigrant athletes like make up significant shares in U.S. sports. Learn more about athletes and how they educate us about . Register for our webinar on June 1 at 3pm at https://gmu.zoom.us/webinar/register/1416504870055/WN_K2CksiJZSEK9SuN_gwfXIw

athletes like are increasingly essential to American sports. Do you want to learn more about immigrant athletes? Register for our upcoming webinar on June 1 at 3pm at https://gmu.zoom.us/webinar/register/1416504870055/WN_K2CksiJZSEK9SuN_gwfXIw

Congratulations to all of the 2022 Pulitzer Prize winners, including 4 immigrant winners
Fahmida Azim, Bangladesh
Anthony Del Col, Canada
Marcus Yam, Malaysia
Ada Ferrer, Cuba

Happy Mothers' Day from the IIR. Looking for stories of immigrant mothers and their families? Check out our IIR New American Voices Award finalists: The Affairs of the Falcones by Melissa Rivera, Infinite Country by Patricia Engel, and Miracle Creek by Angie Kim. Learn more at https://iir.gmu.edu/about/award

There are 34 foreign-born players on the remaining NBA playoff teams, including some superstars and MVPs. The Dallas Mavericks lead with 7 immigrant players followed by the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks with 6 each. What impact will these immigrant athletes have on the games?

Happy Earth Day! Check out our work on immigrants and the environment including our recent webinar on Migration During Global Change https://iir.gmu.edu/about/iir-events/2021-events and our report on immigrants in green jobs https://iir.gmu.edu/publications/industries/immigrant-essential-workers.

We're proud to announce the Immigrants, Athletes, and Inclusion initiative. Immigrants make up 14% of the US population, but much larger shares of US sports. For example, more than 25% of Major League Baseball players are foreign born. And some of these immigrant athletes are among the best of the best. The Immigrants, Athletes, and Inclusion team explores the extent of immigrant inclusion in sports and how immigrant athletes can lead to greater understanding and acceptance. Learn more at https://iir.gmu.edu/publications/immigrants-athletes-and-inclusion

Check out our new US fact sheet to see what immigrants look like nationwide. What does immigration look like in your state?
https://d101vc9winf8ln.cloudfront.net/documents/43082/original/Immigrants_in_USA_National_Fact_Sheet_final.pdf?1649963727

Research, Publications, and Presentations

Should Russian athletes be punished for the actions of their government? Should they be forced to publicly proclaim their opposition to the war in Ukraine? There are 55 Russians playing in the NHL right now and some people want them banned or deported. Is this possible? Read Dr. Michele Waslin's newest commentary on immigrants, athletes, exclusion, and war at

Research, Publications, and Presentations Commentary Immigration, Athletes, War, and Exclusion by Michele Waslin, PhD This commentary examines recent...

2021-2022 Events

Great news for those who missed our webinar on Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education in Virginia! The recording is now available on our website: https://iir.gmu.edu/about/iir-events
Check out the resources provided by our panelists and participants for additional ways to support immigrants in higher education.

2021-2022 Events Past Events Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education in Virginia Tuesday, March 29, 2022 1-2pm EDT This event was co-sponsored by the...

Immigrant Integration

Just out! the IIR released our findings on attitudes toward immigrants in 7 US metro areas (Baltimore/DC, Boston, Detroit, Miami, Philadelphia, San Jose, and Seattle). One takeaway is that frequent interaction with immigrants in your neighborhood affects national views on immigration.
Read more at

Immigrant Integration Views of Immigrants in the Contemporary United States by James C. Witte, Ismail Nooraddini, and Cassius Modiasan Hossfeld April...

Research, Publications, and Presentations

It's baseball's opening day! Nearly 1/3 of all MLB players and 1/2 of all minor league players are foreign born. We almost didn't get to opening day because of a 99 day lockout and disagreements between owners and players. A new Collective Bargaining Agreement was finally signed that will impact the future direction of baseball. In this new commentary, Dr. Marissa Kiss explains how the new CBA impacts international players, salaries and bonuses, international exhibition games, and the international draft.

Research, Publications, and Presentations Commentary 3 Ways Major League Baseball's New 2022-2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement Impacts International...

TODAY starting at 1pm! Register at https://gmu.zoom.us/webinar/register/9116467734680/WN_zOJttM07TiWFlBGsGgGFAA

Tomorrow! Don't forget to register for our Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education in Virginia webinar at https://gmu.zoom.us/webinar/register/9116467734680/WN_zOJttM07TiWFlBGsGgGFAA

Women's History Month

Join us on March 29🗓️ at 1pm ⏰ for our Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education in Virginia webinar. Register at https://gmu.zoom.us/webinar/register/9116467734680/WN_zOJttM07TiWFlBGsGgGFAA

Do you want to know more about immigrant students, faculty, and staff at colleges and universities? Are you interested in how colleges and universities support their immigrant communities and give them the tools to be successful? Join our webinar on March 29th and hear from top experts. Register at https://gmu.zoom.us/webinar/register/9116467734680/WN_zOJttM07TiWFlBGsGgGFAA

Interested in how you can support immigrant students, faculty, and staff? Join us on Tuesday, March 29 for a fantastic webinar featuring experts on immigrants in higher education. Register at https://gmu.zoom.us/webinar/register/9116467734680/WN_zOJttM07TiWFlBGsGgGFAA

Lera Doederlein’s story: From Russian orphanage to Paralympic hopeful

Lera Doederlein’s story: From Russian orphanage to Paralympic hopeful At the age of 14, Doederlein made a decision no teenager should ever be expected to make, but she knew if there was any chance at playing sports in the future a bilateral amputation was the only answer.

Women’s History Month

Happy International Women’s Day!

2022 Barry M. Portnoy Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards Benefit > The Immigrant Learning Center

2022 Barry M. Portnoy Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards Benefit > The Immigrant Learning Center Spread the word

Team USA won gold and silver in monobob. Gold medalist Kallie Humphries had competed for Canada before becoming a US citizen last year. Congratulations Kaillie!!

The ice dancing competition has begun at the Olympics and TeamUSA's Jean-Luc Baker and his partner are in 11th place. Jean-Luc is an immigrant from England who came to the US as a child with his parents. Good luck TeamUSA!!

Speedskating is underway at the Olympics2022 and one member of the TeamUSA speedskating team is an immigrant. Learn more about the amazing and inspirational story of Maame Biney.