The Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development (JCRED) is pleased to announce a Call for Papers for its Spring 2026 symposium:
Raids, Rights, and the Right to Belong: Immigration and Citizenship in Crisis
About the Symposium
Who is allowed to immigrate to America?
How does a person become an American citizen?
Who gets to decide these critical questions?
This symposium will bring together legal scholars, practitioners, and advocates to address these pressing unsettled issues. From the origins of birthright citizenship to the hotly contested criteria that have allowed some to stay in the United States and others to be deported, participants will explore the evolving legal, historical, and ethical dimensions of U.S. citizenship and immigration, with a critical focus on social justice. The discussion will illuminate how law and policy have constructed—and constrained—belonging in America.
Program Overview
The symposium will take place at St. John’s Law on March 26, 2026 and feature several panels. We’ll select panelists from paper submissions accepted for publication in JCRED’s Spring 2026 symposium issue.
Call for Papers
You’re invited to submit an unpublished scholarly paper or abstract that aligns with our Spring 2026 Symposium theme. Potential paper topics might include, but are not limited to:
- The historical development of citizenship and immigration laws in the United States and their exclusionary foundations
- Birthright citizenship as a social and legal construct: who was denied, who was included, and why
- Contemporary immigration policies and their human impact, including the legal and social barriers faced by those seeking citizenship
- Ethical considerations surrounding enforcement practices such as raids, detentions, and social isolation.
- The role of tourism, economic interests, and selective inclusion in shaping U.S. policy
- The exertion of power among many government actors, from cities to the U.S. president to our federal courts
Submission Guidelines
Please email a paper abstract of up to two (2) pages and/or a full unpublished draft, along with a brief bio and your CV/resume, as a single Word attachment to arielle.sanders.jcred@gmail.com.
Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis through Friday, August 22, 2025, and will be reviewed as they are received. Authors are encouraged to submit early, especially if they have pre-written drafts that align with the symposium’s focus. If your paper is accepted for publication, the full draft (10–75 pages) will be due by Monday, November 3, 2025.
Questions?
If you have any questions about this Call for Papers, please contact JCRED Research and Symposium Director Arielle C. Sanders at arielle.sanders.jcred@gmail.com.
We look forward to receiving your submission!