Migration Policy Institute, Washington, D.C.
www.MigrationPolicy.org
Co-Director, National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy
Margie McHugh is the Co-Director of the National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy at the Migration Policy Institute.
The Center is a national hub for leaders in government, community affairs, business, and academia to obtain the knowledge and skills they need to respond to the challenges and opportunities that today’s high rates of immigration pose for local communities across the United States.
The Center provides in-depth research, policy analysis, technical assistance, training, leadership development, and information resource services on a broad range of immigrant integration issues. Key areas that are the focus of the Center’s work this year include PreK-12 education; English literacy and workplace skills development; and the involvement of state and local governments in efforts to regulate the settlement of immigrants in their communities, including the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
Prior to joining MPI, Ms. McHugh served for 15 years as the executive director of The New York Immigration Coalition, an umbrella organization for over 150 groups in New York that uses research, policy development, and community mobilization efforts to achieve landmark integration policy and program initiatives. During her time with the NYIC, Ms. McHugh oversaw research, writing, and publication of over a dozen reports dealing with issues such as the quality of education services provided to immigrant students in New York’s schools; the lack of availability of English classes for adult immigrants; the voting behavior of foreign-born citizens; and barriers faced by immigrants seeking to access health and mental health services.
Prior to joining the NYIC, Ms. McHugh served as deputy director of New York City’s 1990 Census Project and as the executive assistant to NYC Mayor Koch’s chief of staff. She is the recipient of dozens of awards recognizing her successful efforts to bring diverse constituencies together and tackle tough problems, including the prestigious Leadership for a Changing World award. She has served as a member and officer on the boards of directors for both the National Immigration Forum and Working Today; on the editorial board of Migration WorldMagazine; and has held appointive positions in a variety of New York City and State commissions, most notably the Commission on the Future of the City University of New York and the New York Workers’ Rights Board.
Ms. McHugh is a graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges and is a frequent commentator on immigration and immigrant integration issues in both local and national news media.