Title: CLAS Colloquium on Migration

Professor Katharine Donato examined migration’s evolution, noting the shift from male-dominated migration flows to increasing numbers of women and children, particularly after 2000. She discussed forced displacement, economic drivers, and environmental crises shaping contemporary migration patterns. Professor Andrew Selee addressed policy tensions between humanitarian needs and public support, emphasizing how Latin American policies are adapting to crises in Venezuela and Nicaragua.

Professor Anna Deeny Morales, serving as commentor, discussed how art can grow from hardship, speaking to literature and arts that reflect migrant experiences. Referencing La Carreta and Borderlands, she explored how storytelling influences public understanding. Her librettist work, Zavala Zavala, examined the human voice in migration narratives.

The discussion also covered the increasing diversity of migrants with regard to national origin, age, and socioeconomic level, and the role of U.S. policy in shaping migration trends. The event underscored the interdisciplinary nature of migration studies, bridging social science, policy, and cultural representation to deepen understanding of contemporary challenges.