UMass Amherst Social Science Matters Series to Present a Panel on Immigration Policy and the 2020 Election

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AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Amherst will present “Critical Issues for the 2020 Election Cycle: U.S. Immigration Policy” on Tuesday, Nov. 19 in Old Chapel from noon until 1:30 p.m. Scott Blinder, assistant professor of political science at UMass Amherst, will moderate the panel hosted by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences as part of the Social Science Matters Series.

The panel includes experts on immigration enforcement, public opinion on immigration and integration of immigrants into local communities. Debbie Schildkraut, the chair of the department of political science at Tufts University, David Hernández, associate professor of Latina/o studies at Mount Holyoke College and Abigail Fisher Williamson, Charles A. Dana Research Associate Professor of political science and public policy and law at Trinity College in Connecticut, will comprise the panel.

Blinder’s research focuses on public opinion toward migration and its impact on elections and policy. These prominent immigration scholars will discuss why immigration is such a divisive topic and what citizens should know about immigration in order to be informed voters.

The Social Science Matters series showcases the contributions of various social science disciplines to pressing current societal issues. The series demonstrates the cross-disciplinary connections within and beyond the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and has covered topics such as inequality and resistance in past iterations.

The event, which will include time for questions from audience members, is free and open to the public, but registration is required.