Are you ready to explore immigration from a fresh perspective?
If you're looking for clear, unbiased information on immigration, you've come to the right place. I want to build a high-quality resource for everyone regardless of education, experience, or political perspective.
I offer a unique blend of expertise, independence, and passion. Thanks to 15 years of research in this field, I have a deep grasp of immigration data, policy developments, migration theory, and current research. Yet I'm not tied to a political party’s platform or an advocacy organization’s agenda. This freedom allows me to share honest insights you can trust.
Plus, I'm known for my ability to make complex topics accessible and engaging, both in the classroom and beyond. I’m not here to talk down to you or pretend that I have all the answers. I simply want to share what I am learning. And I hope that you will share what you’re learning with me, too.
No one can know everything about migration. That’s why I also curate high-quality resources to save you time. I share the latest sources of immigration data, recently published books, and cutting-edge news and analyses that are outside of my expertise.
What do you get when you sign up for this newsletter?
Here’s what you get when you sign up for this newsletter.
Expertise: Deep understanding of immigration data, policy, and research.
Independence: No ties to government agencies or advocacy groups, ensuring unbiased perspectives.
Integrity: Commitment to honesty, free from external agendas.
Accuracy: High standards for source quality and factual correctness, ensuring reliable information.
Clarity: Known for making complex information understandable and engaging.
Passion: Genuine enthusiasm for discussing and sharing insights on immigration.
Current: Always up-to-date, offering the latest insights and developments in immigration.
Why should you trust me?
It’s hard to know who to trust on the Internet—especially on such a controversial topic as immigration. My ongoing academic work is central to my credibility, but I have other hands-on experience that shapes the richness of this newsletter, too.
After graduating with my Ph.D. in geography from The Ohio State University, I joined Syracuse University as a research assistant professor and a researcher at the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), a research institute that studies the U.S. immigration system from a data science perspective using Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
I also hold affiliations in the Department of Geography at the Maxwell School and the Institute for Democracy, Journalism, and Citizenship, both at Syracuse University, and I am also a research fellow at American University’s Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and the Immigration Lab.
As a result of this work, I am often featured in the national news as an expert on immigration, including outlets such as C-SPAN, The New York Times, NPR’s Morning Edition, The Economist, The Guardian, TIME, and many more.
Before becoming a professor, I helped create and expand immigrant and worker rights in Ohio as Chair of the Central Ohio Worker Center. This was a key part of learning how the non-profit and immigrant rights advocacy worlds work.
You can learn more about my research portfolio, publications, and research affiliations on my academic website at austinkocher.com.
Get started with some of my most popular posts.
With well over 200 back issues of this newsletter, there is so much to explore already! To make navigation easier, I added thematic sections along the top of the newsletter’s homepage. These may change slightly over time, but they are the best way to dive into areas that I focus on the most.
The “Archive” section of the website allows you to search the entire history of posts. (The search works pretty well, by the way.)
If you don't have time to explore, here are just a few of my most popular posts to get you started right away.
Does U.S. Immigration Policy Contribute to Organized Crime in Mexico?
The Detention Center Prosperity Gospel Fails to Work Miracles in Rural Communities
ICE On My Wrist: Immigrants Will Start Wearing Electronic Monitoring Watches This Month
How Do I Support This Publication?
All posts, past and future, remain fully available to the public, with no paywall. However, in late 2024, I introduced an optional paid subscription feature to provide readers with a way to support my work directly. This decision was not about limiting access or creating exclusivity but about sustaining the time, effort, and resources needed to maintain the quality and consistency you’ve come to expect.
Writing timely, original, and high-quality content takes significant dedication—not just in the hours spent drafting posts but also in researching, editing, and staying responsive to current events and reader feedback. Paid subscriptions allow me to prioritize this work and ensure it remains central to my time and energy.
Your support also enables me to invest in additional resources, such as data analysis tools, software, and occasional research or editorial assistance, to deepen the quality and scope of what I can offer. By subscribing, you're not only ensuring this newsletter continues uninterrupted but also helping me expand its impact and reach.
Think of this as the NPR model—where content remains free for everyone, but those who value it and are able to contribute financially help sustain the work for the broader community. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has already pledged their support, and I welcome new subscribers who believe in the value of this platform.
Thank you for being part of this journey and for considering a small but meaningful contribution to keep it thriving.
Join the Conversation!
Your voice matters. This newsletter isn't a one-way street. It's a platform for dialogue. Whether through comments, questions, or sharing posts, your participation enriches our collective understanding.
The best place to engage with me is right here on Substack. But you can also find me on all of the major social media platforms: Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Mastodon, Threads, and Bluesky.
Thanks again for stopping by. I hope to talk with you soon!
Sincerely
Austin Kocher
