Silva
Mathema

Director, Immigration Policy

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Silva Mathema

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Silva Mathema is the director for Immigration Policy at American Progress. Her research focuses on the effects of U.S. immigration policies on the daily lives of immigrants. Previously, she worked as a research associate for the Poverty and Race Research Action Council, where she studied the intersections between race and ethnicity issues and policies regarding affordable housing and education.

Mathema earned her Ph.D. in public policy from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she specialized in immigration policy, and her B.A. in economics from Salem College. She is originally from Kathmandu, Nepal.

Latest

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2023 Survey of DACA Recipients Highlights Economic Advancement, Continued Uncertainty Amid Legal Limbo Article
A group of people holding signs is seen with the U.S. Capitol building in the background.

2023 Survey of DACA Recipients Highlights Economic Advancement, Continued Uncertainty Amid Legal Limbo

The ninth annual survey of DACA recipients illustrates DACA’s role in empowering individuals and communities while strengthening the U.S. economy and highlights the need for a pathway to citizenship.

Playbook for the Advancement of Women in the Economy Report

Playbook for the Advancement of Women in the Economy

This collection of policy recommendations reveals how policymakers can grow the economy by centering the changes that women need in their economic platforms.

Rose Khattar, Sara Estep

DACA Recipients Bolster Social Security and Medicare Article
Activists listen during a news conference marking the 10th anniversary of DACA

DACA Recipients Bolster Social Security and Medicare

DACA recipients collectively earn nearly $27.9 billion and contribute nearly $2.1 billion to Social Security and Medicare each year, making the economy and their communities stronger.

Trinh Q. Truong, Silva Mathema

The Urgency of Designating Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status Report

The Urgency of Designating Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status

The U.S. government should immediately grant Temporary Protected Status to Cameroonian nationals in the United States, given the extraordinary and deteriorating conditions in the country that make a safe return impossible.

Silva Mathema, Zefitret Abera Molla

Redefining Homeland Security: A New Framework for DHS To Meet Today’s Challenges Report

Redefining Homeland Security: A New Framework for DHS To Meet Today’s Challenges

To meet the challenges of today, the Biden administration and Congress should reform the Department of Homeland Security around a mission that highlights safety and services alongside its traditional protecting roles.

Mara Rudman, Rudy deLeon, Joel Martinez, 5 More Elisa Massimino, Silva Mathema, Katrina Mulligan, Alexandra Schmitt, Philip E. Wolgin

Reinstating the LIFE Act and Eliminating Entry Bars Would Allow Millions of Immigrants To Stay With Their Families Article
A woman hugs her daughter after taking an oath to become a U.S. citizen at a naturalization ceremony in Salt Lake City, April 2019. (Getty/George Frey)

Reinstating the LIFE Act and Eliminating Entry Bars Would Allow Millions of Immigrants To Stay With Their Families

Reinstating the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act or eliminating the three- and 10-year entry bars, or making both changes, would allow many undocumented immigrants to gain legal status.

Silva Mathema, Nicole Svajlenka, Sofia Carratala

Rebuilding the U.S. Refugee Program for the 21st Century Report
 (A supporter holding a sign that says

Rebuilding the U.S. Refugee Program for the 21st Century

The United States must learn from past experiences—from the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks through the Trump administration—to rebuild a resilient refugee resettlement program.

Silva Mathema, Sofia Carratala

Refugees Thrive in America Report

Refugees Thrive in America

By cutting the number of refugees allowed to enter the United States, the Trump administration is undermining the nation’s historic role as a beacon of freedom and ignoring the advancements of many hardworking aspiring Americans.

Silva Mathema

Revival and Opportunity Report
Quang Nguyen, a Vietnamese immigrant and business owner, stands in front of Le Variety, (Getty/Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald)

Revival and Opportunity

Immigrants are playing a key role in reviving and growing many rural communities and with the right policies could play an even bigger role in sustaining them.

Silva Mathema, Nicole Svajlenka, Anneliese Hermann

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