Welcome to The Immigration Lab, policy research
The Immigration Lab is directed by Dr. Ernesto Castañeda, Full Professor, Department of Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences at American University in Washington, DC.
The Immigration Lab conducts research on all things migration including: immigration (settling in), emigration (leaving), transnationalism, integration, categorical inequality, health disparities, demographics, social mobility, racism and exclusion, exiles and refugees, social movements and contentious politics, race and immigration history, ethnicity and space.
We are not limited to any geographic area, disciplinary approach, or methodology. Instead, we seek to engage research across disciplines and in a collaborative process at all levels. We work closely with all the students in American University’s MA program in Sociology Research and Practice (SORP).
We actively engage undergraduate and graduate students in research, thus building their research and writing skills. Lab members have co-authored scholarly articles, op-ed pieces, newsletter contributions, blog posts, and more. Several current members of the lab are going on to become fully-funded PhD students at prestigious universities.
We are also working on several larger projects that will culminate with books, op-eds, online panels and webinars to educate the greater public on issues of importance surrounding immigration.
Our Work
Director
Research & Publications
Research & Publications
The Immigration Lab is directed by Dr. Ernesto Castañeda, Full Professor, Department of Sociology and Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies at American University in Washington, DC.
Research & Publications
Research & Publications
Research & Publications
The Immigration Lab conducts research on all things migration including transnationalism, integration, health disparities, demographics, social mobility, racism and exclusion, social movement and contentious politics, ethnicity, and space.
SORP
Research & Publications
SORP
The immigration Lab works closely with the Master's Program on Social Research and Practice (SORP), analyzing immigration data, trends, and policies at American University in Washington, DC.
Books
Immigration Realities: Challenging Common Misperceptions
Presenting the latest findings and decades of interdisciplinary research in an accessible way, Ernesto Castañeda and Carina Cione emphasize the expert consensus that immigration is vital to the United States and many other countries around the world. Featuring original insights from research conducted in El Paso, Texas, Immigration Reali
Presenting the latest findings and decades of interdisciplinary research in an accessible way, Ernesto Castañeda and Carina Cione emphasize the expert consensus that immigration is vital to the United States and many other countries around the world. Featuring original insights from research conducted in El Paso, Texas, Immigration Realities considers a wide range of places, ethnic groups, and historical eras.
Reunited Family Separation & Central American Migration
In Reunited, Ernesto Castañeda and Daniel Jenks explain the reasons for Central American youths’ migration, describe the journey, and document how the young migrants experience separation from and subsequent reunification with their families.
Immigration and Urban Vitality
Global Pathways to Becoming New Americans
Global Pathways to Becoming New Americans
In Urban Vitality, Ernesto Castañeda explores the challenges national and international immigrants face when adjusting to city life, while also delving into the key inputs they provide that make prosperous city life possible.
Global Pathways to Becoming New Americans
Global Pathways to Becoming New Americans
Global Pathways to Becoming New Americans
The immigrant experience is often talked about but rarely understood. This book presents narratives and common themes from immigrants with and without visas, asylum seekers, and refugees. Get to know who the new asylum seekers are.
