Law, Conscience, and Migration Today
February 19-20, 2026 | Gasson Hall | Registration to come
Event Overview
Over the past year, the United States has witnessed sweeping changes to its immigration policy, communities and families torn apart by mass deportations, and a sharp rise in fear and uncertainty due to new enforcement tactics. Amid this landscape, voices of prophetic courage on the local, national, and global scenes have provided signs of hope, insisting on the contributions immigrants make and on a human dignity that crosses borders.
This interdisciplinary conference explores the complex dynamics of contemporary migration with a focus on our local and national contexts. It will provide policy updates, undertake theological and ethical analyses, and consider institutional and grassroots responses to the rapidly evolving reality of migration today.
Speakers include scholars and graduate students from a variety of disciplines, policy experts, ecclesial and civic leaders, as well as representatives from community-based initiatives. Additionally, the conference offers an advocacy training session and spotlights local, impact-driven opportunities. In this way, the conference aims to both inform as well as provide participants with opportunities to take action.
Thursday, February 19, 2026 | |
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| 4:00-6:00 PM | Immigration and the Catholic Church in the Present Moment: A View from the US-Mexico Border Most Rev. Mark J. Seitz, DD, Bishop of El Paso, TX Moderator: Kristin Heyer, Joseph Chair in Theology, Boston College Speaker Introduction: David Quigley, Robert L. and Judith T. Winston Provost and Dean of Faculties, and Professor of History, Boston College Gasson 100 |
| 6:00 PM | Reception Gasson 112
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Friday, February 20, 2026 | |
| 8:30 - 9:00 AM | Continental breakfast available |
| 9:00 - 10:45 AM | Moral Courage in Defense of Migrants: A View from Boston Monique Tú Nguyen, Director, Mayor Michelle Wu’s Office of Immigrant Advancement Moderator: Matthew Cuff, Doctoral Candidate, Systematic Theology, Boston College Speaker Introduction: Gregory Kalscheur, S.J.., Dean, Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Boston College Gasson 100
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| 10:45 AM | Break |
| 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Understanding New Migration Challenges: Legal, Moral, and Humanitarian Perspectives Mario Russell, Executive Director, Center for Migration Studies Daniel Kanstroom, Professor of Law, Faculty Director of the Rappaport Center for Law & Public Policy, and Dean's Distinguished Scholar, Boston College Law Maryanne Loughry, Senior Advisor on Jesuit Refugee Service, Boston College Office of Global Engagement, Boston College Alejandro Olayo-Méndez, S.J., Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, Boston College Moderator: Kristin Heyer Gasson 100
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| 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Graduate Student Paper Panel I Room TBA
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| 12:30 - 1:45 PM | Standing with Migrants: Advocacy 101 Training Jorge Palacios, Ignatian Solidarity Network Registration required; box lunch provided with registration Gasson 100
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| 12:30 - 1:45 PM | Graduate Student Paper Panel II Box lunch provided with registration Room TBA
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| 1:45 - 3:15 PM | Responding to New Migration Challenges: Faith-Based, University-Based, and Community-Based Perspectives Scott Santarosa, S.J., Pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, San Diego, CA Marjean Perhot, Vice President, Refugee and Immigrant Services, Catholic Charities Boston Armando Guerrero Estrada, Director, PASOS Network, Dominican University, River Forest, IL Representative, Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, Boston, MA Moderator: Matthew Cuff Gasson 100 |
| 3:15 PM | Break + Tabling/Poster Session Gasson 112
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| 4:00 - 4:30 PM | Concluding Reflections, Resources, and Routes Ahead Dylan Corbett, Executive Director, Hope Border Institute Madeline Jarrett, Doctoral Candidate, Systematic Theology, Boston College; Graduate Research Assistant, Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life Gasson 100
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