The Immigration Lab is directed by Dr. Ernesto Castañeda, Director of the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies and Full Professor in the 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.
Collaboration is at the heart of our work. We bring together intellectuals of all experience levels to conduct research, develop new ideas, and contribute to conversations about migration. Lab members have co-authored scholarly articles, op-eds, newsletters, blogs, and other publications. Through research, publications, public events, and larger collaborative projects, we aim to make migration research accessible, relevant, and meaningful beyond the university.
From fieldwork and data analysis to publications and public engagement, our members are involved in a wide range of research on migration. Take a look at what we're working on and discover the many ways our members contribute to the field!
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
Dr. Castañeda discusses how the freezing of labor certifications is halting the green card pathway for thousands, negatively impacting U.S. competitiveness, corporations, and the innovation economy. This policy, driven by an ethno-nationalist agenda, harms both documented and undocumented migrants, a departure from historical U.S. policy that welcomed top global talent.
A Dominican immigrant's deportation is halted after being shot by ICE. Dr. Castañeda analyzes how the incident raises serious questions about federal agent use of force and operational protocols.
Dr. Castañeda discusses the controversy ignited by a Department of Homeland Security social media campaign featuring an AI-generated post with Optimus Prime and a man named Mr. Singh, urging "Self-deport or find out." Advocacy groups accuse the DHS of racial profiling and targeting a specific community.
Isabella Garcia's shopping trip turned into an intense interrogation, resulting in her visa cancellation due to birth tourism concerns. Dr. Ernesto Castañeda discusses the strict new controls and the impact on those with US-born children.
Dr. Ernesto Castañeda discusses how a harsh new US immigration policy is leading to the detention and violent expulsion of undocumented individuals and those with papers. Many face inhumane conditions in detention centers.