Appointment of Special Advisor on Immigration Policy

Over the past year, the Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Immigration Policy has worked hard to examine how federal immigration policies could affect our campus. The council, which was co-chaired by professors Asli Bâli and Abel Valenzuela Jr., has produced an excellent, wide-ranging report (PDF) that offers substantive recommendations for addressing the needs of our community of international and immigrant students, researchers, staff and faculty.

One of the recommendations was to establish a position in my office to carry on the council’s work. To that end, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Valenzuela as Special Advisor to the Chancellor on Immigration Policy. He will be responsible for implementing many of the report’s recommendations and for informing the UCLA community about immigration policy changes that may adversely affect our campus.

Dr. Valenzuela is professor of Chicano studies and of urban planning, and he is director of the UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment. He is the author of several research articles, books and reports on demography and population studies, immigrant labor markets, immigrant settlements and urban economies. His work has helped frame numerous national public policy narratives concerning immigrants in America’s workforce.

I also want to acknowledge the members of the Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Immigration Policy for their efforts over the past year. I am profoundly grateful for their time, expertise and commitment to this effort, and pleased that Dr. Valenzuela will convene the council going forward. Allowing every member of our community to fully participate in international student and faculty exchanges is vital to UCLA’s future success. The council’s work ensures that UCLA will remain an open, welcoming and exceptional global community where students and scholars of all backgrounds can study and conduct research.

I have every confidence that Dr. Valenzuela will excel in his new role. Please join me in congratulating and welcoming him to this important position.