Democracy in Peril: Why do Central American Migrants seek Asylum in the United States?

Description

he first session of "Democracy in Peril?" for Spring 2020 will take place this Thursday, February 20 from 5-6:30 in Madison Hall Conference Room (Room 1002) at JMU. The topic is "Why Do Central American Migrants Seek Asylum in the United States?"Since late 2018, migrant caravans have headed to the U.S. from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, driven north by violence and corruption at home. J. T. Way, a historian of Central America at Georgia State University, will discuss how criminal networks, fueled by a changing economy, have penetrated local Central American neighborhoods, contributing to the asylum cases in U.S. courts today. The author of two books on modern Guatemala, Dr. Way is now writing a book on the roots of the Central American migrant crisis. He served as the director of CIRMA (the Mesoamerican Research Center) in Antigua, Guatemala, and he currently provides expert testimony for asylum cases. An open discussion with audience members will follow the presentation.

Web Presence

https://sites.lib.jmu.edu/democracyinperil/

Involvement

Involves Faculty, Involves Students, Involves Participants External to JMU

Scope

National Scope, International Scope

Date

2/20

Frequency

One Time Only

Existing Center/Institute/Program

yes

Type of Partner

Other

Primary Focus of Program

Governance and Public Policy

Begin Date

2-20-2020

Areas of Engagement

Civic Engagement, Engaged Learning

Format

Research, Event

On/Off campus

On campus

Academic Level of Engagement

Department, University