The Migrant “Crisis” in NYC: Immigration, Asylum, and The Right to the City

Friday, Nov. 17, 2023

This one-day conference serves as a 'rapid response' to the migrant 'crisis' unfolding in New York City. It brings together a diverse array of academics, experts, activists, urban stakeholders, and individuals with personal experiences and knowledge to help us better understand the current dynamics of immigrants arriving in New York City. The conference will particularly focus on questions related to the built environment and the experiences and rights of immigrants and asylum seekers in accessing housing and claiming space within the city.

Program: 
 
Introductions (10–10:15) + coffee 
 
Panel 1 (10:15-12:00): Urban history of immigrant “crises” in NYC
Nara Milanich, Barnard College 
A.K. Sandoval-Strausz, Penn State University
Lori Flores, Stony Brook University 
Nermeen Arastu, CUNY Law 
 
Lunch (12-1:30) 
 
Panel 2 (1:30-3:15): Formal and informal systems of support and care
Ryan Devlin, Temple University 
Deborah Berkman, New York Legal Assistance Group & NYC response 
Nathaly Rubio-Torio, Voces Latinas
Sophie Kouyate, African Communities Together
Murad Awawdah, New York Immigration Coalition 
 
Coffee break (3:15-3:45) 
 
Panel 3 (3:45- 5:30): Housing question and right to shelter
Christian Siener, Barnard College 
Joshua Goldfein, Legal Aid
Sara Muñoz Cruz, NYC housing Activist 
Amir Khafagy, Documented NY 
 
Sessions moderated by masters and doctoral students from Columbia University’s Urban Planning Program at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and the Institute for the Study of Human Rights.
 
Organized by: Professor Hiba Bou Akar along with Professor Hugo Sarimento and masters and doctoral students from Columbia University’s Urban Planning Program at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and the Institute for the Study of Human Rights. 
 
Sponsored by: Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, The Heyman Center for the Humanities/Society of Fellows, Institute for the Study of Human Rights, Institute of Latin American Studies, Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race, and the Post-Conflict Cites Lab.