After the June 2026 Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship, Kica Matos observed how fragile foundational constitutional guarantees have become, with the struggle for immigrant rights serving as a central pillar of the broader pro-democracy fight.

Named one of Time magazine’s most influential people of 2026, Matos is president of the National Immigration Law Center and the Immigrant Justice Fund. She also is a Distinguished Practitioner at Yale University’s Brady Johnson Program in Grand Strategy. She has a front-row seat to the immigration debate and will address immigrant rights and how “We the People” are ALL the people.

Her bold vision and engagement in broad-reaching advocacy offers hope to many youths and immigrants facing challenges under the nation’s current immigration laws.

Matos is a recipient of the John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award and was inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame in 2021. She has a bachelor’s degree from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand; a master’s degree from the New School; and a law degree from Cornell Law School.

The session’s moderator was Sara Wilhelm Garbers (M.Div., Ph.D.), Executive Director of the Westminster Town Hall Forum. Sara's doctorate is in ethics from Loyola University Chicago where she focused on theological, political, sexual, and feminist ethics in view of the formation of the self and communities. Sara has been Executive Director of the Forum since September 2025 and also serves on the Hopkins School Board. Sara lives in Hopkins with her spouse Andy, puppy Blue, and human preschooler Josie.

After the June 2026 Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship, Kica Matos observed how fragile foundational constitutional guarantees have become, with the struggle for immigrant rights serving as a central pillar of the broader pro-democracy fight. Named one of Time magazine’s most influential people of 2026, Matos is president of the National Immigration Law Center and the Immigrant Justice Fund. She also is a Distinguished Practitioner at Yale University’s Brady Johnson Program in Grand Strategy. She has a front-row seat to the immigration debate and will address immigrant rights and how “We the People” are ALL the people. Her bold vision and engagement in broad-reaching advocacy offers hope to many youths and immigrants facing challenges under the nation’s current immigration laws. Matos is a recipient of the John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award and was inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame in 2021. She has a bachelor’s degree from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand; a master’s degree from the New School; and a law degree from Cornell Law School. The session’s moderator was Sara Wilhelm Garbers (M.Div., Ph.D.), Executive Director of the Westminster Town Hall Forum. Sara's doctorate is in ethics from Loyola University Chicago where she focused on theological, political, sexual, and feminist ethics in view of the formation of the self and communities. Sara has been Executive Director of the Forum since September 2025 and also serves on the Hopkins School Board. Sara lives in Hopkins with her spouse Andy, puppy Blue, and human preschooler Josie.

Immigrants as Pillars of Democracy with Kica Matos (October 1, 2026)

Tom Gjelten - National Security Challenges Facing the Obama Administration -  03/19/09 by westminsterforum

Tom Gjelten - National Security Challenges Facing the Obama Administration - 03/19/09 by westminsterforum

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