Presented by Asia Society Texas in partnership with the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative, with sponsorship from the Rothko Chapel 6:15 p.m. Registration 6:30 p.m. Program 7:30 p.m. Audience QandA

John F. Kennedy called the United States a nation of immigrants. We are home to more immigrants than any other nation in the world, with over 40 million people living in the U.S. who were born in another country. The population of immigrants is also very diverse, with nearly every country in the world represented among U.S. immigrants. However, the history of the United States also includes the displacement and massacre of millions of indigenous peoples, the enslavement of generations of Africans, race-based quotas in our immigration laws, and the internment of Japanese Americans in camps. As a country, we have a long and complicated relationship with migrants. The current administration’s policy agenda toward immigrants is the latest chapter for us to confront as a nation. The "Migrant Protection Protocols" (or MPP), implemented in 2019, has stranded thousands of people in camps in Mexico and Central America, limiting the ability of Central Americans, Cubans, Asians, and Africans to seek asylum. Additionally, refugee resettlement in the country is at an all-time low.

Asia Society and Houston Immigration Legal Services are partnering to host a non-partisan discussion on current U.S. policy toward refugees and migrants. Join us to hear firsthand accounts from legal advocates who have spent time on the border, and we hope you will leave better informed, inspired, and moved to local, state, and national action. Speakers include: Katherine (Kate) J. Chapman, staff attorney at BakerRipley representing non-detained minors, adults and families before the Immigration Court in Houston; Elizabeth (Chiqui) Sanchez Kennedy, Director of Immigration Legal Services at the YMCA International Services; moderated by Andrea Guttin, Legal Director for the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative.