Central & South American Expert - Political Scientist and Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, this expert focuses on diaspora politics and immigration issues. They have a rich background in both academic research and practical policy, having advised on foreign policy during the 2020 Bernie Sanders campaign. Their insights on labor and immigration have been featured in prominent publications, showcasing their expertise in these critical areas. Recognized for their impactful scholarship, they continue to influence discussions on transnational political dynamics and community engagement.
Their professional experience encompasses both academia and practical politics, having served as the chief foreign policy adviser for Latin America on Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign. They are also an associate fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies and have extensive field experience as an election monitor for the Organization of American States in Brazil, El Salvador, and Colombia.
This expert has contributed to major publications, including The Guardian and Washington City Paper, focusing on labor and immigration policy. Their research has been published in peer-reviewed journals, addressing topics such as sanctuary policies, transnational gangs, and the influence of diaspora communities on electoral campaigns. Their scholarly work has received recognition, including an honorable mention from the American Political Science Association.
Public Policy,
Foreign Policy,
Gangs,
Immigration,
Sanctuary Policies.
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 2018 - present Associate professor of political science
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2017 - 2018 Postdoctoral fellow, Center for the Study of Ethnicity, Race, and Immigration PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
Bernie Sanders for President 2020 campaign 2019 - 2020 Chief foreign policy adviser for Latin America
Institute for Policy Studies, Washington, DC 2016 - present Associate fellow
Organization of American States Election monitor and coordinator (Brazil, El Salvador, Colombia) 2014 - present
The Guardian 2009 - 2019 Contributing columnist, labor and immigration policy
Washington City Paper 2009 - 2019 Contributing writer
Center for American Progress, Washington, DC 2008 - 2009 Consultant and researcher, American Worker Project
Service Employees International Union, Washington, DC 2003 - 2007
“Sanctuary Policies and the Influence of Local Demographics and Partnership.” with Benjamin Gonzalez O’Brien and Loren Collingwood. OnlineFirst in Urban Affairs Review (2023)
“Transnational Gangs and Criminal Remittances: A Conceptual Framework.” Comparative Migration Studies Vol. 10, no. 24 (2022)
“Hometown Associations and Parties as Vehicles for Mexican Electoral Campaigns in the US.” Representation (2020)
“Competing for the Diaspora’s Influence at Home: Party Structure and Transnational Campaign Activity in Latin America.
” Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies Vol. 45, no. 4 (2019)
- Republished in Délano Alonso, Alexandra and Harris Mylonas, The Microfoundations of Diaspora Politics. Routledge (2021) “Transnational Militancy: Diaspora Influence over Electoral Activity in Latin America.” Comparative Politics Vol. 49, no. 4 (2017)
- • Honorable mention, best journal article, American Political Science Association Migration and Citizenship section 2018