Future of immigration in Houston focus of Rice conference

MEDIA ADVISORY

David Ruth
david@rice.edu
713-348-6327

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

Future of immigration in Houston focus of Rice conference
Mayor Turner, Harris County Judge Hidalgo to speak

HOUSTON – (Feb. 22, 2019) – Government officials, business community leaders and other experts will gather at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy March 7 to discuss how Houston can take a key role in state and national discussions on immigration.

Credit: 123RF.com/Rice University

The conference, hosted by the Baker Institute’s Mexico Center, the New American Economy and the Center for Houston’s Future, is closed to the public. Members of the news media who want to attend should RSVP to Jeff Falk at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

Who: Speakers and panelists including Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Center for Houston’s Future President and CEO Brett Perlman and New American Economy Executive Director Jeremy Robbins.

Tony Payan, the Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies at the Baker Institute and director of the Mexico Center, will give welcoming and closing remarks.

What: A conference titled “The Future of Immigration in Houston.”

When: Thursday, March 7, 8:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Breakfast and registration is at 8. Turner will speak at 8:45 a.m., and Hidalgo will participate in a luncheon discussion at noon.

Where: Rice University, James A. Baker III Hall, Doré Commons, 6100 Main St.

As a border state with a large and growing immigrant population, Texas is disproportionately affected by federal immigration policies and is ground zero for the national immigration debate, according to event organizers. The Houston region, home to 1.6 million immigrants, is key to understanding the importance of immigrants to local economic growth and community stability, organizers said.

The event also includes a panel of experts who will share current research and data on immigration in the Greater Houston region, a screening of a short film from the “Rational Middle: Immigration” series and breakout sessions on addressing workforce, policy and social support issues.

For a map of Rice University’s campus with parking information, go to www.rice.edu/maps. Media should park in the Central Campus Garage (underground).

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Founded in 1993, Rice University’s Baker Institute ranks among the top three university-affiliated think tanks in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes — including a public policy course — and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.