Reexamining the “Nation of Immigrants”: The Politics of ICE Enforcement

Reexamining the “Nation of Immigrants”: The Politics of ICE Enforcement

With the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) arrests and detentions surging, California’s legislative leadership offers critical lessons on safeguarding rights and rebuilding trust. Join us on February 5, 2026 for a keynote presentation followed by a panel of policymakers, researchers, and advocates who will discuss what the latest data reveal about enforcement patterns, how to strengthen state protections, and what’s next for fair and sustainable approaches to immigration.

Reception 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Lecture and Panel 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Registration is free and required for all guests. We intentionally oversell tickets to ensure a full venue. Entry and seating are first come, first served and not guaranteed, even with a ticket. We recommend arriving early and join the pre-reception to maximize your chance of entry.

Keynote speaker to be announced.

Panelists include:

Miguel Santana, President and CEO, California Community Foundation (moderator)

Ahilan Arulanantham, Professor from Practice, UCLA Law; Faculty Co-Director, Center for Immigration Law & Policy

Paul Ong, Director, UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge

Angelica Salas, Executive Director, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA); Luskin Senior Fellow

Learn more about the research from the Center for Neighborhood Knowledge and the Latino Policy & Politics Institute.

This event is part of the Luskin Lecture Series and co-hosted by the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge, the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute, and the UCLA Asian American Studies Department.

View all of our upcoming events at luskin.ucla.edu/events

TONGVA ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Luskin School of Public Affairs at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As a land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.

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Attendance by a public official will constitute acceptance of a reportable gift.