Top Immigration Reform Thinker Visits TAMIU on Wednesday

One of the nation’s top thinkers on immigration reform who has also served as the first US-born member of Mexico President Fox’ cabinet, will present a special lecture at Texas A&M International University on Wednesday, April 5 at 6 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium.

Dr. Juan Hernández, founder of the Center of US-Mexico Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas, will lecture on Immigration Reform and autograph copies of his new book, the recently released “The New American Pioneers: Why Are We Afraid of Mexican Immigrants?” (Pneuma Life Publishing). Earlier in the day, Hernández will meet with TAMIU students for an informal discussion. 

Named one of “Smartest People We Know” when featured on the cover of Fortune Magazine, he has been honored as “Humanitarian of the Year” by Latin Trade, and listed as one of the “100 most Influential Hispanics” by Hispanic Business Magazine, and one of the “100 most powerful Latinos” by Poder Magazine. He is a regular guest on Univision, ABC, and Fox News.

Born in Fort Worth of a Mexican father and a Texan mother, he completed his undergraduate studies at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin and received his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees at Texas Christian University.

He has dedicated himself to the study of Mexico-U.S. relations for many years and has been a professor at various universities. 

In 1996, Hernández invited Vicente Fox (then-Governor of the Mexican State of Guanajuato) to speak at UT, Dallas and meet George W. Bush (then Governor of Texas) — a historical meeting that marked a new outlook in Mexico-U.S. relations.

During this Texas trip, Fox asked Hernández to  help  create “Guanajuato Trade Offices,” in the United States (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas-Fort Worth) and serve as his representative in the US. Soon, Fox invited Hernández to be his “gate-keeper” and close confidant in his presidential campaign.

After defeating the party that had ruled for over 71 years, President Fox hired Hernández as the first US-born cabinet member, heading the President’s Office for Mexicans Abroad. Operating from Los Pinos (the Mexican White House), the Office had as its principal objective to serve and dignify the 24 million whom President Fox has called heroes — the countrymen who live in foreign lands.

Hernández’ visit to TAMIU and Laredo is being hosted by KLDO-27, the local Univision affiliate.

For additional information, contact the TAMIU Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 326.2180, e-mail prmis@tamiu.edu or click on tamiu.edu

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu