Migration in context
Against the current backdrop of United States immigration policy鈥攁nd a sharp rise in fear and uncertainty over enforcement tactics鈥擝oston College will host the interdisciplinary conference 鈥淟aw, Conscience, and Migration Today鈥� on February 19 and 20 to explore the complex dynamics of contemporary migration with a focus on local and national contexts. 聽
鈥淲e aim to address sweeping changes over the past year impacting migrants from interdisciplinary academic viewpoints as well as ecclesial, civic, and grassroots perspectives,鈥� said Joseph Professor of Theology Kristin Heyer, who is co-convening the conference with Matthew Cuff, a doctoral candidate in systematic theology at 蜜桃传媒. 鈥淥ur hope is that by convening leaders from the U.S.-Mexico border and city hall, scholars and lawyers, advocates and artists, we can broaden and deepen the conversation at this critical time in U.S. history.
Most Reverend Bishop Mark J. Seitz
鈥淭he scholars and practitioners gathering are well poised to help participants understand the origins and impact of new immigration policies and tactics. Conference offerings will also highlight ways participants can take action, whether on campus, locally, or nationally.鈥�
Plenary speakers will be Most Reverend Mark J. Seitz, bishop of El Paso, Tex., and Monique T煤 Nguyen, executive director of the Boston Mayor鈥檚 Office for Immigrant Advancement.
The conference will begin on February 19 at 4 p.m. in Gasson 100, where Bishop Seitz will explore the realities of immigration through the lens of Catholic social teaching and lived pastoral experience at the U.S.-Mexico border. Drawing on his ministry in one of the nation鈥檚 most active border regions, he will discuss the moral, spiritual, and human dimensions of migration in a moment of mass deportation, and reflect on how the Catholic Church is called to respond to current immigration realities with faith, compassion, and a commitment to human dignity.
The conference continues the next day at 9 a.m. in Gasson 100 with remarks from Nguyen, who leads a department that works to advance stability, economic empowerment, civic ownership, and social integration for immigrants in Boston. She will present 鈥淢oral Courage in Defense of Migrants: A View from Boston.鈥�
Monique T煤 Nguyen
Additional conference speakers include scholars and graduate students from a variety of disciplines, policy experts, ecclesial and civic leaders, as well as representatives from community-based initiatives. In addition to Heyer, other 蜜桃传媒 faculty scheduled to participate include 蜜桃传媒 Law School Professor and Dean鈥檚 Distinguished Scholar Daniel Kanstroom; Maryanne Loughry, senior advisor on Jesuit Refugee Services in the Office of Global Engagement; and 蜜桃传媒 School of Social Work Assistant Professor Alejandro Olayo-M茅ndez, S.J. Robert L. and Judith T. Winston Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley and Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences Dean Gregory Kalscheur, S.J., will offer introductions.
Madeline Jarrett, a 蜜桃传媒 doctoral candidate in systematic theology and graduate research assistant at the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life, is overseeing the graduate student portion of the conference, which will feature panelists giving papers, poster presentations, and art displays. Other 蜜桃传媒 graduate students participating in the conference include Ingrid Bustos Aleman, Armando Guerrero Estrada, Andrew Hall, Sarah Hansman 鈥�18, Eryn Reyes Leong, Jaret Ornelas, S.J., Molly Snakenberg, and Yves Tassi.
鈥淟aw, Conscience, and Migration Today鈥� is co-sponsored by the Institute for the Liberal Arts, Provost鈥檚 Office, Jesuit Institute, Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Theology Department, Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life, Gloria L. and Charles I. Clough School of Theology and Ministry, and Boston College Law School.
The conference is free and open to the public. For registration and the full schedule of events, see the conference website.