Dialogue During a Time of Disruption

What should the future of immigration look like in the United States?

This timely conversation brings together two leading voices in immigration policy who, despite differing viewpoints, share a commitment to respectful dialogue and thoughtful problem-solving. Together, they will explore key questions around immigration levels, workforce needs, and policy priorities, offering insight into what may come next.

This forward-focused discussion avoids political rhetoric and instead centers on ideas, solutions, and the broader impact on communities and the economy.

Speakers:

Jim Robb, Vice President of Alliances at NumbersUSA
Alliances at NumbersUSA is a national grassroots organization focused on U.S. immigration policy, which Robb helped found in 1996. The organization advocates for reforms aimed at aligning immigration levels with America’s economic, environmental, and social interests in the 21st century. Robb led the development of early web-based civic engagement tools, including free faxing to Congress, through which NumbersUSA members have sent more than 50 million messages to lawmakers. He also directs the organization’s polling efforts, with a particular focus on shifting political attitudes among Hispanic voters, including trends related to immigration policy. He is the author of Political Migrants: Hispanic Voters on the Move (2022). While representing an immigration-restrictionist perspective, Jim is actively engaged in cross-partisan dialogue and coalition-building. He serves on the leadership team of the Citizens Commission on Immigration (CCI), an initiative of Braver Angels dedicated to finding durable areas of national agreement on immigration policy.

Diego Sanchez, Vice President, Policy & Strategy of Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration
Sanchez leads the Alliance's policy team and legislative and administrative agenda. An immigration lawyer and policy strategist with more than 15 years of experience, he works at the intersection of higher education, public policy, and government relations, helping college and university leaders navigate policy developments affecting students, campuses, and communities. He is also a Non-Resident Fellow at Cornell University’s Center on Global Democracy. Sanchez serves on the Leadership Team of the Citizens Commission on Immigration, an initiative of Braver Angels dedicated to finding durable areas of common ground on immigration policy and advancing civil discourse across political differences. He holds a J.D. and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and philosophy from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida. His commitment to expanding educational opportunity for immigrant students is deeply personal, shaped by his own journey as an undocumented college student and former DACA recipient.

Jon Gould, Dean of UC Irvine's School of Social Ecology, will serve as the event moderator.

This event is being presented in partnership with: