Immigration Workshop

Dr. Garcia’s scholarship centers on the outcomes of place-based inclusion and exclusion for immigrants, especially those who are undocumented and racialized in their destinations. Her research unpacks the ways that the distinct political, social, and legal dynamics within contexts of reception shape undocumented immigrants’ daily lives and future trajectories. Dr. Garcia’s book, Legal Passing: Navigating Undocumented Life and Local Immigration Law, which examines the experiences of and strategies used by undocumented immigrants living in different communities in the United States, has won five competitive awards.

In addition to her scholarly work, Dr. Garcia has been an active and engaged citizen of the Crown Family School and the University, serving on numerous School committees, delivering Harper Lectures for the University, and providing leadership at other campus units, including the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture, the Pozen Center for Human Rights, and the Center for Latin American Studies. Outside of the University, Dr. Garcia is an active presence at the American Sociological Association, especially in the Latina/o Sociology Section and the International Migration section, where she has held elected positions. She also has been an invited speaker at panel discussions and programs across the country, and has provided commentary to general media outlets, including the Chicago Tribune, Time magazine, and NPR.

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