Eckstein on Cuban Immigration
On October 18, 2023, an engaging discussion took place with Susan Eckstein, Professor of International Relations and Sociology at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, and author of Cuban Privilege: The Making of Immigrant Inequality in America as the main speaker. The discussion was conducted by Noora Lori, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies. The discussion revolved around the multifaceted dimensions of Cuban immigration to the United States. This discussion is part of the Migration Seminar Series, specifically the Myron Weiner Seminar Series on International Migration, hosted by MIT’s Center for International Studies.
During the discussion, Professor Eckstein unraveled the historical context and unique privileges afforded to Cuban immigrants, dissecting the intricacies of enduring policies beyond the Cold War era. Notably, Cubans have navigated distinct pathways, benefiting from entitlements such as refugee status and parole rights, shaping their immigration experience.
As the conversation progressed between Professors Susan Eckstein and Noora Lori, the focus shifted to the political influence of Cuban Americans. Citizenship empowerment, strategic political action committees, and Florida’s electoral significance emerged as pivotal elements shaping US-Cuba policies and capturing the attention of politicians.
The duo further explored the challenges and strategies of recent Cuban immigrants, highlighting the role of smuggling networks, asylum-seeking trends, and the impact of President Biden’s parole program. While acknowledging the evolving landscape, Professor Eckstein emphasized the enduring entitlements that Cubans maintain, sparking discussions about potential shifts in immigration policies and the demographic significance of the Cuban population in Florida.
For a comprehensive exploration of these critical discussions, watch the full MIT segment featuring Professors Susan Eckstein and Noora Lori here. This conversation was part of Consortium, the
Susan Eckstein, Professor of International Relations and Sociology at the Pardee School, focuses her research on Latin America and Latin American immigration. She has written extensively on Mexico, Cuba, and Bolivia, and, in recent years, on immigration and its impact across borders, as well as on U.S. immigration policy. She has written and edited books on the urban poor, the impacts of revolutions, social movements, and social rights. On Cuba, her books have focused on the impact of the Castro-led revolution, on Cuban immigrants, and on U.S. Cuban immigration policy. She is the recipient of many fellowships, including from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, as well as awards for her writings. Learn more about Professor Eckstein on her faculty profile.
Noora Lori’s research broadly focuses on the political economy of migration, the development of security institutions and international migration control, and the establishment and growth of national identity systems. She is particularly interested in the study of temporary worker programs and racial hierarchies in comparative perspective. Regionally, her work examines the shifting population movements accompanying state formation in the Persian Gulf, expanding the study of Middle East politics to include historic and new connections with East Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Lori is the Founding Director of the Pardee School Initiative on Forced Migration and Human Trafficking. Read more about Professor Lori on her faculty profile.