Tom K. Wong is a senior fellow for Immigration Policy at American Progress. He recently served as an adviser to the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders under the Obama administration. Wong is also an associate professor of political science and director of the International Migration Studies minor program at the University of California, San Diego. His research focuses on the politics of immigration, citizenship, and migrant “illegality.” Wong’s research has been used by policymakers both in the United States and Mexico, as well as by organizations that serve immigrant communities. Wong and his work have been covered by The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, NPR, ABC News/Univision, Fusion, NBC News, Yahoo News, and Univision in Mexico. He is on the board of the California Immigrant Policy Center and the New American Leaders Project. Wong also consults on campaigns and elections, specializing in mobilizing low-propensity voters of color and immigrant communities.
Did a 2015 Flores Court Ruling Increase the Number of Families Arriving at the Southwest Border?
Analysis of border apprehension numbers does not provide any evidence that the 2015 Flores court ruling increased the number of families arriving at the border.
Amid Legal and Political Uncertainty, DACA Remains More Important Than Ever
A survey of DACA beneficiaries finds the program has had an outsize effect on participants, their families, and the U.S. economy as a whole—even as recipients face uncertainty about the future.
Tom K. Wong, Sanaa Abrar, Tom Jawetz, 4 MoreIgnacia Rodriguez Kmec, Patrick O’Shea, Greisa Martinez Rosas, Philip E. Wolgin
Do Family Separation and Detention Deter Immigration?
Statistical analysis of data on southwest border apprehensions illustrates that policies of family separation and detention will not deter families from coming to the United States.
DACA Recipients’ Economic and Educational Gains Continue to Grow
According to the largest study to date, DACA recipients continue to play a critical role in the American economy, gaining higher wages, buying cars and houses, and starting businesses, benefiting the entire nation.
Tom K. Wong, Greisa Martinez Rosas, Adam Luna, 5 MoreHenry Manning, Adrian Reyna, Patrick O’Shea, Tom Jawetz, Philip E. Wolgin
The Effects of Sanctuary Policies on Crime and the Economy
Statistical analysis illustrates that across a range of social and economic indicators, sanctuary counties perform better than comparable nonsanctuary counties.
New Study of DACA Beneficiaries Shows Positive Economic and Educational Outcomes
Four years in, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals initiative continues to have a major impact on individuals and families, as well as on the economy.
Tom K. Wong, Greisa Martinez Rosas, Adrian Reyna, 4 MoreIgnacia Rodriguez, Patrick O’Shea, Tom Jawetz, Philip E. Wolgin
Statistical Analysis Shows that Violence, Not Deferred Action, Is Behind the Surge of Unaccompanied Children Crossing the Border
Based on a statistical analysis of unaccompanied children arrivals data, border security statistics, and violence levels in Central America, it is clear that violence in countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador—rather than deferred action or lax U.S. border enforcement—is driving the increase in unaccompanied children.
This analysis of the first year of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program examines its implementation; which groups have had the most success with the program; and the role that community-based organizations, new and traditional media, and the political context of individual states play in DACA implementation and outreach.
