HOT TOPICS

COOL SPEAKERS

This summer, join Texas Impact and friends on Zoom for free seminars on the public policy topics at the top of everyone’s list.

Hot Topic: Immigration

Pia Orrenius is a labor economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, working on regional economic growth and demographic change. She manages the regional and microeconomics group in the Dallas Fed Research Department, is executive editor of the publication Southwest Economy and co-edited Ten Gallon Economy: Sizing up Economic Growth in Texas (2015, Palgrave MacMillan). Her academic research focuses on the labor market impacts of immigration, unauthorized immigration and U.S. immigration policy. She is coauthor of the book Beside the Golden Door: U.S. Immigration Reform in a New Era of Globalization (2010, AEI Press).

Pia Orrenius is a labor economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, working on regional economic growth and demographic change. She manages the regional and microeconomics group in the Dallas Fed Research Department, is executive editor of the publication Southwest Economy and co-edited Ten Gallon Economy: Sizing up Economic Growth in Texas (2015, Palgrave MacMillan).

Her academic research focuses on the labor market impacts of immigration, unauthorized immigration and U.S. immigration policy. She is coauthor of the book Beside the Golden Door: U.S. Immigration Reform in a New Era of Globalization (2010, AEI Press).

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Hot Topics, Cool Speakers: The Economic Impact of Immigration Policy with Pia Orrenius

Texas Impact 9 views August 20, 2026 12:37 pm

Ethan and Nicole will connect world leading public health research with the on-the-ground realities of advocating for evidence-based public policy. Ethan’s Bio: My name is Ethan Bartlett; I am an assistant research and policy advisor at the Center for Gun Violence Solutions at Hopkins in a full-time capacity. My research interests revolve around the intersection of social determinants of health and firearm violence. I have had the pleasure of working with organizations across the country to promote and inform about safe firearm practices, educate groups about gun violence prevention policy, and advocate for legislative and implementation change to reduce firearm violence. Outside of work, I enjoy connecting with and learning from people with different perspectives and try to take the opportunity to experience new things when possible. Nicole’s Bio: Nicole Golden brings a lifelong passion for preventing gun violence to her role as Executive Director of Texas Gun Sense. She stepped into the position in April 2022—just weeks before the tragic Uvalde mass shooting—and expertly guided the organization through an emotionally charged crisis-response. With a background in social work and more than a decade of advocacy experience, Nicole advances TGS’ mission through coalition-building, legislative and grassroots advocacy, education, and community-based gun safety initiatives.

This video is private.

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Hot Topics, Cool Speakers: Gun Violence Prevention in Texas: Data, Policy and Advocacy

Texas Impact 14 views August 12, 2026 3:04 pm

Priscilla Lugo discusses the different statuses and pathways to citizenship here in the U.S. as well as what protections are provided to immigrants, no matter their status. Priscilla Lugo is the Director of Communications & Advocacy at the Texas Immigration Law Council. Priscilla is from the border in South Texas and works at the intersection of creating accessible information and policy, and is dedicated to fighting for her community and building systems to protect the rights of immigrants. Join us for our next Hot Topics, Cool Speakers webinar by visiting the events page on our website https://texasimpact.org/events-calendar/

Priscilla Lugo discusses the different statuses and pathways to citizenship here in the U.S. as well as what protections are provided to immigrants, no matter their status.

Priscilla Lugo is the Director of Communications & Advocacy at the Texas Immigration Law Council. Priscilla is from the border in South Texas and works at the intersection of creating accessible information and policy, and is dedicated to fighting for her community and building systems to protect the rights of immigrants.

Join us for our next Hot Topics, Cool Speakers webinar by visiting the events page on our website https://texasimpact.org/events-calendar/

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Hot Topics, Cool Speakers: Immigration Statuses & Pathways: Refugee, Asylee, TPS, and more

Texas Impact 10 views July 29, 2026 12:27 pm

Watch our fourth installment of our new summer learning series: Hot Topics Cool Speakers. Freedom has provided Sean with new opportunities to expand his lifelong mission of serving others. Through Open Doors Consulting, he develops evidence-informed curricula that equip formerly incarcerated individuals for successful reentry, prepare individuals experiencing homelessness for stable housing, and empower youth with practical decision-making and life skills. Sean serves as the Executive Director of Life Anew, where he leads initiatives focused on increasing social awareness, reducing violence, strengthening families, and creating safer, healthier communities through restorative justice, workforce development, mental health support, and community engagement. Committed to sharing hope both personally and professionally, Sean is also the author of A Servant’s Tray, where he encourages readers to embrace a life of faith and service. He continues to teach and share God’s Word through biblical messages on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, inspiring others to live with purpose, hope, and compassion.

This video is private.

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Hot Topic, Cool Speakers: The Intersection of CVI and Public Education with Sean Oliver, Life Anew

Texas Impact 19 views July 10, 2026 1:55 pm

Watch the third installment of our new summer learning series: Hot Topics Cool Speakers. Eddie Franz is the Executive Director of Jail to Jobs, an Austin nonprofit committed to empowering justice-involved youth in Central Texas to find purpose and thrive after incarceration. Jail to Jobs’ paid job training program focuses on character development, workforce readiness, and emotional and spiritual growth. Eddie’s own profound transformation during a seven-year sentence in federal prison inspired his life’s work to help others facing similar challenges. His leadership at Jail to Jobs earned him the CVI Front-liner of the Year Award from Cities United in 2021.

Watch the third installment of our new summer learning series: Hot Topics Cool Speakers.

Eddie Franz is the Executive Director of Jail to Jobs, an Austin nonprofit committed to empowering justice-involved youth in Central Texas to find purpose and thrive after incarceration. Jail to Jobs’ paid job training program focuses on character development, workforce readiness, and emotional and spiritual growth. Eddie’s own profound transformation during a seven-year sentence in federal prison inspired his life’s work to help others facing similar challenges. His leadership at Jail to Jobs earned him the CVI Front-liner of the Year Award from Cities United in 2021.

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Hot Topics, Cool Speakers: Innovative Options for Community Violence Reduction with Eddie Franz

Texas Impact 48 views July 2, 2026 2:17 pm

Our second speaker will be Maram Museitif, public health scholar and researcher. We will discuss how immigration policies, both state and federal, affect public health in Texas. Find more events on our website https://texasimpact.org/events-calendar/

Our second speaker will be Maram Museitif, public health scholar and researcher. We will discuss how immigration policies, both state and federal, affect public health in Texas.

Find more events on our website https://texasimpact.org/events-calendar/

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Hot Topics, Cool Speakers: Immigration and Public Health with Dr. Maram Museitif

Texas Impact 67 views June 17, 2026 3:57 pm

In the first installment of our new summer learning series, Luis Figueroa from EveryTexan details the current state of immigration, and everything we need to know about all three SB 4’s from the past ten years. In this recording you will be able to watch Luis’ presentation and the Q&A that followed. Register for our next Hot Topics, Cool Speakers webinar at https://texasimpact.org/events/

In the first installment of our new summer learning series, Luis Figueroa from EveryTexan details the current state of immigration, and everything we need to know about all three SB 4’s from the past ten years. In this recording you will be able to watch Luis’ presentation and the Q&A that followed.

Register for our next Hot Topics, Cool Speakers webinar at https://texasimpact.org/events/

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Hot Topics, Cool Speakers: Immigration (SB 4) with Luis Figueroa

Texas Impact 58 views June 3, 2026 3:44 pm

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