News & Media
Resettlement Ambivalence and the Right to Stay in Florida During Times of Increased Immigration Enforcement
Center researchers published a study examining how intensified immigration enforcement shapes immigrants' sense of belonging, experiences of home, and long-term resettlement in Florida. Drawing on 53 interviews, the authors introduce the concept of "resettlement ambivalence" to describe the tension between immigrants' understanding of their right to stay and the uncertainty created by an enforcement-focused environment.
August 12, 2026Publications & Products
Center Director Presents at the 2026 LASA International Congress in Paris, France
Dr. Elizabeth Aranda, Director of the Im/migrant Well-Being Research Center at the University of South Florida, presented ongoing research on Puerto Rican territorial citizenship, racialized legal status, and social incorporation at the XLIV LASA International Congress, held May 26-30, 2026, in Paris, France.
June 4, 2026Research
Im/migrant Lives Season 3 Episode 3: Enforcement’s Generational Effects on U.S.-Citizen Young Adults
Immigration enforcement activities have increased over the past year due to policy changes implemented by the current presidential administration. However, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the federal agency responsible for removals and deportations inside the country, has been in operation since 2003. U.S.-citizen children who witnessed enforcement episodes in their families during the Bush and Obama administrations are now young adults. This episode examines the long-lasting, generational effects of ICE’s actions on these U.S. citizens.
May 21, 2026Podcast
Im/migrant Lives Season 3 Episode 2: How Do Immigration Policies Affect Children’s Access to Early Childhood Education and Family Engagement in Schools?
Latino children, the majority of whom have at least one immigrant parent, face challenges when it comes to education. Lower parental education, limited income, and for Latino immigrant families, learning a new language and understanding how the U.S. education system works, present additional obstacles to educational attainment. In response, early childhood education programs help to shrink gaps in education. This episode discusses how immigration policies affect access to these programs and to education in general.
April 29, 2026Podcast
Whether US Citizens or not, immigrants live with fear according to USF study
IWRC Director, Dr. Elizabeth Aranda was interviewed by Telemundo about the Center's recently published report on how immigration laws are paralyzing the lives of documented and undocumented individuals. The findings highlight the dire conditions in detention centers and the negative health consequences that both immigrants and US citizens are facing due to widespread fear and uncertainty.
January 27, 2026Publications & Products
Im/migrant Lives Podcast
The podcast “Im/migrant Lives” seeks to inform the public about current issues affecting im/migrant communities, drawing on both cutting-edge research and grassroots activities to inform listeners’ understandings of the challenges affecting im/migrant well-being and ways in which public policies and community organizations can solve the most pressing problems facing these groups.