Reimagining Immigration: Toward a Just and Functional System

The issues of border security, unauthorized migration, and deportations fill headlines, yet the nuances and multifaceted factors underlying these issues rarely reach the public. Experts will provide valuable insights into how we can move beyond polarizing narratives and engage in a more informed, rational, and empathetic conversation about the future of immigration as they explore our history, analyze current policies, and share the profound human stories behind the statistics and the rhetoric.

About the Speakers

Laura Collins is the director of the SMU Economic Growth Initiative at the George W. Bush Institute, where she specializes in immigration issues.

James F. Hollifield is Ora Nixon Arnold Professor of International Political Economy at SMU’s Department of Political Science.

Paul B. Hunker III is a partner at the law firm of De Mott, McChesney, Curtright & Armendáriz.

About the Moderator

Bill Holston has provided pro bono legal services for over 30 years to immigrants, ultimately representing individuals from 21 different countries. He currently serves as CEO of the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center, which offers legal advice and representation, housing support, and rent assistance. From Protected content 2023, Holston was the executive director of the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, representing immigrant survivors of human rights violations. The recipient of several local and state-wide awards, Holston holds a JD from SMU Dedman School of Law.