Homecoming: Refugees & Migration in North America

The panel will examine the growing trend of refugees establishing long-term residence across North America, and how this shift presents strategic opportunities for integration, stability, and regional development. With increasing numbers of refugees remaining in their country of arrival, the discussion will explore the mechanisms that enable successful permanence—access to employment, legal status, public services, and collaboration with the private sector. These elements are not only critical for social cohesion but also contribute to workforce diversification, economic growth, and long-term fiscal sustainability.

As North America evolves in its approach to human mobility, coordinated policies among countries in the region can unlock shared benefits. The panel will highlight practical examples of refugee integration that strengthen labor markets, fill key vacancies, and support demographic resilience. Framing refugee permanence as a long-term investment, rather than a short-term response, opens the door to a more stable, economically inclusive, and secure region for all.

  • Giovanni Lepri

    Representante de ACNUR
    en México
    UNHCR - ACNUR

  • Karla Rodriguez

    Business, Ethics and Human Rights Manager
    FEMSA

  • Jennifer Feller

    Director General for Human Rights and Democracy
    Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mexico

  • Teresa Garcia

    Director of Government Relations - Latin America
    Emerson Collective

  • Gabriela Warkentin

    Writer & Journalist
    W Radio Mexico

    MODERATOR