EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Guadalajara, Mexico | Next dates: Jan 5-12, 2024 | Program description | Program alumni | Enroll now
Attorneys, rights advocates, law students, and LL.M.s are invited to Guadalajara, Mexico, for a one-week intensive course on migration and return migration from the ground.
Guadalajara is Mexico’s second largest city and home to many of the images associated with Mexican culture. Mariachi, tequila, Jarabe Tapatio (“Mexican hat dance”), and Mexican rodeo all have their roots here. A cultural icon city, Guadalajara is also a major migrant hub on Western routes into the United States, the capital of one of the states most affected by repatriation, and it is increasingly an important resettlement city in Mexico for refugees. The city’s unique migratory narrative makes it one of the most interesting cities in Mexico to study U.S.-Mexico border politics.
"You cannot study immigration law or migration to America without understanding what's happening here in Mexico."
During the program, participants will connect with leading cross-border actors, as well as migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, and deportees themselves. Access to Mexican officials, academics, and civil society members will help open the door for intra-regional dialogue and exchange. On-the-ground exposure to the migration and deportation experiences further provide a unique opportunity for participants to develop a deeper understanding of how U.S. and Mexican immigration policies impact the region.
Our program has had wide support among Mexican officials, academics, researchers, and local civil society organizations interested in the benefits of strengthening cross-border alliances and networks, as well as the possibility for future collaborations.
Past faculty and participating organizations
Casa Scalabrini
Universidad de Guadalajara
Cadipsi DIF
Deportados Unidos en la Lucha
Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies
G.D.L.S.U.R.
Casa Venezuela Internacional
Comisión Estatal de Derechos Humanos Jalisco
Instituto Nacional de Migración
El Refugio Casa del Migrante
De Facto Deported U.S. Citizen
Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara (ITESO)
Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law
Binational Program for Migrant Education
The UN Refugee Agency
Our executive director and founder will lead participants during the week with the help of a group coordinator. In just one week, we will cover diverse topics, including migration history, push and pull factors, the right to asylum in Mexico, return migration, and protection of migrants and refugees. We will also visit various shelters (religious, government, and community-based) in and around Guadalajara, as well as "La Bestia", the freight train U.S.-bound migrants take to make the 30-day journey through Mexico.
In this video, we asked one of our former students, Leslie, to share her thoughts on how her perceptions about migration have changed, as well as what she's learned in Mexico that will be helpful to her in her future practice. Leslie participated in our August 9-16, 2019, program, and, following her graduation, began a fellowship in Texas defending immigrants in removal proceedings.
D'wan joined us in January 2020 from South Carolina's Charleston School of Law, where she's the president of her school's immigration law student association. D'wan received a scholarship from her student body to participate in our program. Here's what she had to say after spending a week with us in Guadalajara. Since joining the program, D'wan has gone on to start her own practice at the Law Offices of Dwan B. Rivers, LLC, where she focuses primarily on family-based immigration.
Abdul graduated in May 2022 and was able to join us during our winter program in January 2022. He is an LLM student at The University of Texas at Austin with experience working on migration policy in Asia and the Caribbean. In this video, Abdul expresses the need to understand what's happening beyond the U.S. border as a critical element of U.S. migration studies, law, and policy.
To ensure that participants get the most out of their stay in Guadalajara, we've designed the program to be both an educational and cultural experience. Our planned meals are packed with delicious must-try dishes that have included carnitas, carne en su jugo, tortas ahogadas, jericalla, birria, and the city's legendary street food. Participants will also have a chance to visit the historic center and famed Orozco murals. On our last day together, we'll head out of town for a visit to the mystical archaeological ruins at Guachimontones, as well as nearby Tequila Town. To BROWSE our previous event photos, check out our online photo album.
Participation in the program is limited to a small group, which facilitates a more intimate experience and allows for tighter bonds to form between participants and faculty. Participants who do not speak Spanish will be aided by an interpreter during the program and are encouraged to participate. Prior immigration experience is not required. For more information, including program fee and details, contact immersion@rhizomecenter.org.
READY TO ENROLL? SUBMIT your online enrollment application form now to ensure a spot in our upcoming program this January 5-12, 2024. Your confirmation includes both your enrollment form and participation fee. You'll have until October 15th to submit your fee, which includes all program costs, accommodations, most meals, local cell phone or SIM card, group/cultural activities, local transportation, and interpretation services, if needed. Participants are responsible for providing proof of health insurance and arranging their travel to and from Mexico.
Details regarding full program cost and available grant opportunities can be found on our Application Form. Any available grants are available to students only, are not guaranteed, and may be limited to specific geographic areas. If you require financial assistance, we encourage you to supplement your financial need application with available opportunities through your organization, law school, student law associations, school alumni associations, and local law foundations that may have funding set aside for educational purposes. For professionals, keep in mind that most nonprofits, universities, and law firms reserve funding for professional development opportunities. Ask around about available opportunities at your workplace that you might be able to tap into to.
Due to the limited number of spaces available, participants interested in joining us this next program offering are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible. Note that there is a restriction of 3 people per organization. If you won't be able to join us this time, SIGN UP to our electronic mailing list and be the first to know about future program updates.
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