Dr. Tara Watson, a Distinguished Fellow at the Kenan Institute, visited in April in support of the institute’s 2023 grand challenge, Workforce Disrupted: Seeking the Labor Market’s Next Equilibrium.
The fireside chat with Luther Hodges Scholars followed Dr. Watson’s Kenan Institute Distinguished Fellows presentation, “An Economist’s Guide to Immigration Reform”. Scholars had the opportunity to explore Dr. Watson’s research and professional experiences and learn what advice she has for future professionals. Leading the discussion was Gabriela Goodman, an LHS Class of 2023 graduate who can speak on her work with Dr. Watson and experiences as a new professional. Gabriela is currently a Research Associate for the Brookings Institution and works closely with Dr. Watson.
Dr. Watson also had an opportunity to discuss her book The Border Within: The Economics of Immigration in an Age of Fear, co-authored with journalist Kalee Thompson and published in 2021. The book explores how immigration enforcement policies impact undocumented immigrants in the United States.
Dr. Watson highlighted the book’s methodology, involving longitudinal research following six families over time, offering a nuanced understanding of how policy rhetoric and enforcement strategies shape immigrant experiences across different administrations, from Obama to Trump and the early Biden era.
She noted significant changes in immigration policies and enforcement approaches across these administrations. She contrasted Trump’s stringent border policies with Biden’s more lenient approach, including changes in asylum procedures and detention policies. She explored the multifaceted impacts of immigration policies on immigrant communities, emphasizing economic, social, and demographic dimensions, while advocating for informed and compassionate policymaking approaches.
Furthermore, Watson discussed the demographic implications of immigration, emphasizing its role in offsetting population decline and supporting economic growth. She underscored the need for thoughtful immigration policies that balance economic needs with social and political realities.