Responding to Policies Impacting International and Immigrant Populations: A Special Session for Higher Education Leaders

Friday, January 23, 2026

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM East Coast USA Time

Location: University of DC - Level M1

Primary Presenter(s)

Corinne Kentor

Manager of Research and Policy
Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, United States

PDF

Co-Presenter(s)

Jonathan Alger

Chair, AAC&U Board of Directors
President, American University, United States
Miriam Feldblum (she/her/hers)

President and CEO
Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, District of Columbia, United States
Diego Sánchez

Director of Policy and Strategy
Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, United States

Immigrants and international students are crucial to the mission of higher education. Over the past year, policies limiting opportunities and restricting access for these populations have presented escalating challenges for higher education institutions and their campus communities, including leaders, faculty, staff, and students. This session will feature both policy experts and a campus leader to provide the latest data and developments related to immigrant-origin and international populations in higher education; their contributions on campus and to local, state, and national economies; and how campuses can engage in collective action. Attendees will learn about key policy updates; explore new research on undocumented, international, and refugee students and scholars; and discuss strategies for responding to emerging policy developments. Through the discussion, we will explore opportunities for collective action, institutional strategies to support impacted students and staff, and ways higher education leaders can shape policy discussions at the federal level.