November 17 symposium to convene scholars, policymakers, and practitioners in New York and virtually
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York, NY - The Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS) will host its annual Academic & Policy Symposium, titled Witness to Hope: Promoting Just & Humane Migration Policies, on Monday, November 17, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (ET). The symposium will bring together leading academics, policymakers, and advocates to explore strategies for advancing just and humane migration policies in the US and internationally. The event will be held at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP (1 New York Plaza / 1 FDR Drive, New York, NY), and streamed virtually.
The symposium will take stock of today’s challenges and explore how evidence-based research, political strategies, and legal advocacy can build fairer, more compassionate migration systems. By convening diverse voices from academia, government, and civil society, CMS seeks to promote informed discussion that translates ideas into actionable solutions for the most pressing challenges in migration policy today.
Panel discussion topics include: Research on countering anti-immigrant sentiment; the impact of the Global Compacts; the history and future of US immigration law; the weakening of the US protection regime and human rights; and political strategies to advance immigrant and refugee rights.
Confirmed speakers include: Amy Pope, Director General, International Organization for Migration (IOM); Becca Heller, Co-founder, International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP); Muzaffar Chishti, Senior Fellow, Migration Policy Institute; Lourena Gboeah, Chair of the Board Emeritus, Refugee Congress; James Dennison, Pierre Keller Professor, Harvard Kennedy School and Professor, Migration Policy Centre at the European University Institute; Kelly Ryan, President, Jesuit Refugee Service–USA.
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Ellen Percy Kraly, Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies, Emerita at Colgate University. Dr. Kraly will also be honored later that evening at the CMS Annual Gala with the Excellence in International Migration Scholarship Award. Additional speakers and session details are available on the CMS website.
Early registration is encouraged, as in-person and virtual capacity is limited. All registered participants will receive access to the full symposium agenda, speaker biographies, and post-event session recordings. To request a discounted press pass for in-person or virtual registration, please contact CMS Communications Manager Rosalie Wells at rwells@cmsny.org or 347-407-5137.
The Center for Migration Studies (CMS) is a New York-based educational institute devoted to the study of international migration, to the promotion of understanding between immigrants and receiving communities, and to public policies that safeguard the dignity and rights of migrants, refugees, and newcomers. For more information, please visit www.cmsny.org.
307 East 60th Street, Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10022 • P: 212.337.3080 • cms@cmsny.org • www.cmsny.org
