American immigration policy shapes our economy, our foreign policy, and our national security — and it reflects who we are as a country. Yet few people deeply understand America’s complex, often contradictory immigration system. Many who do are current or former government employees, including some fired or reassigned through DOGE, who have witnessed firsthand the rapid changes reshaping immigration enforcement and policy. The public deserves to understand what’s being done in their name and with their tax dollars — and immigration experts are uniquely positioned to explain what these changes mean for communities nationwide.
Cornell’s Migration and Human Rights Program launched the Immigration Experts Letters Project to help meet that need. We support immigration experts in writing op-eds for their hometown media markets, sharing their perspective on what immigration policy should achieve, and why migration matters.
Through a series of webinar-based trainings, MHRP helps participants build the skills to write and publish op-eds, with guidance from journalists and communications experts. We also review draft op-eds and, when possible, help connect participants with outlets beyond their local paper to expand their reach.
Join us for a virtual training webinar on Thursday, September 17, from 6–7 p.m. Eastern. Register here.
Our guests will be Andrea Flores, a former administration official, founder of America’s Promise, and frequent op-ed writer; Robert Greene, an independent journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner for his prior work as a Los Angeles Times editorial writer; and Steve Yale-Loehr, codirector emeritus of MHRP, who has published dozens of op-eds, testified many times before Congress, and is frequently quoted in the media.
They’ll share tips on how to write an op-ed and get it published. MHRP staff will also cover the follow-up support Cornell offers, including sessions to help participants identify topics, draft messages, and pitch to news outlets.
We’re hoping to reach immigration experts across the field, including former government staff and those providing front-line services or advocating for immigrants and their rights. Please share this with your network.