EXPERTS ADVISORY

ANN ARBOR—The surge of unaccompanied Central American children fleeing to the United States for asylum has reignited the immigration debate. The University of Michigan has experts who can share their insights.

Bridgette Carr directs the Human Trafficking Clinic at the U-M Law School. Her research and teaching interests focus on human trafficking, immigration and human rights. Contact: HumanTrafficking@umich.edu or (734) 615-3600.

Larry Gant, a professor in the School of Social Work, received an award from the U-M International Institute for research about social problems involving immigration and community redevelopment in urban areas such as Detroit, Berlin and Amsterdam. Contact: lmgant@umich.edu or (734) 763-5990.

James Hathaway is a leading authority on international refugee law. A law professor and the founding director of U-M’s Program in Refugee and Asylum Law, his focus is international and comparative law on asylum and related human rights. Contact: jch@umich.edu.

Vincent Hutchings, a research professor at the Institute for Social Research, is a political science expert who can discuss how President Obama and Congress are dealing with immigration reform. Contact: vincenth@umich.edu or (734) 764-6591.

Sherrie Kossoudji, an associate professor in the School of Social Work, has written numerous articles on the legal status of immigrant workers in the U.S. and the incentives to cross the border illegally. Her work focuses on nonimmigrants and the transition to immigration, and new immigrant children to the U.S., particularly adopted orphans from abroad. Contact: kossoudj@umich.edu or (734) 763-6320.

Silvia Pedraza, a sociology and American culture professor, has interests in the sociology of immigration, race and ethnicity in America. Her research seeks to understand the causes and consequences of immigration as a historical process that forms and transforms nations. Contact: spedraza@umich.edu or (734) 647-3659.

Nicholas Valentino, professor of communication studies and political science, has examined how attitudes about specific groups shaped opinions about immigration policies. Contact: nvalenti@umich.edu or (734) 647-4302.