From September 14-16, 2025 Fordham University’s Initiative on Migrants, Migration and Human Dignity partnered with the Center for Migration Studies (CMS) to host the 2025 Immigrant Integration Convening at Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus. This dynamic event drew parishioners and affiliates of Catholic institutions from across the country who are dedicated to migration justice. Participants engaged with expert-led presentations and panels to discuss and tackle pressing immigration challenges, fostering productive, cross-disciplinary conversations. With over 300 registered participants ranging from academic researchers and journalists to church leaders, policymakers and migrants, the Convening brought people together to reflect on creating real systems of care that transcend policy to reach people’s everyday lives.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Carey Kasten, director of Fordham’s Initiative on Migrants, Migration, and Human Dignity, emphasized the Initiative’s mission as an “interdisciplinary hub that supports students, faculty, and staff from across the university.” She spoke about the Initiative’s commitment to promoting migration justice across all areas of the university, “We are dedicated to finding common ground and common goals within our diversity as we work for the betterment of our common home.” Dr. Kasten then grounded the Convening in Fordham’s roots, noting that the university’s origins have “everything to do with providing opportunities for immigrants who had been excluded from elite institutions.” That mission, she said, continues to guide Fordham’s efforts today to elevate immigrant voices. Echoing this call, CMS Executive Director Mario Russell stated pointedly in his opening remarks that “this is a moment that demands collaboration” amid a world facing growing injustice.

This theme of collaboration and shared responsibility permeated the conference’s panels where Fordham scholars guided multidisciplinary conversations on migration. Dr. Brenna Moore (Theology) and Dr. Christina Greer (Political Science) chaired panels while Dr. Leo Guardado (Theology) and Layla Mayorga Gonzalez (Philosophy, Ph.D. candidate) offered remarks in response to Bishop Mark Seitz’s keynote speech on Catholic Social Teaching and Migration. Dr. Fadi Skeiker (Theatre) led a panel with migrant women detailing a collaborative storytelling workshop. Finally, Fr. Bryan Massingale (Theology) delivered a powerful keynote on “The Church Response to Actions of the Administration.” The diverse sessions, ranging from arts to public policy, explored human integration that transcends economic or legal status. Fordham’s robust presence at the Convening served as a prime example of the University’s mission to unite ideals and real engagement in the pursuit of justice.

More information on the Convening, including photos and full panel recordings are available here.