From the Mariel boatlift in the 1980s to the recent mass migration of familial units from the Northern Triangle in 2019, the United States has consistently been unprepared to handle mass migration events. With the world approximately 1.0°C warmer than pre-industrial levels, climatic-driven migration events will now challenge the U.S. borders. Based on her Master’s thesis, “Perfect Storm: Climate-Induced Migration to the United States,” Katelin Wright explores how the United States might prepare to handle cross-border climate change-induced migration from a homeland security perspective.
About the Presenter
For over a decade, Katelin Wright has worked within the Homeland Security Enterprise, specifically at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). She currently serves as the Senior Immigration Services Officer at the Albuquerque USCIS Field Office. In September 2020, Katelin graduated with her Master of Arts in Security Studies from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) at the Naval Postgraduate School. Her novel research in climate change-induced migration received the CHDS Outstanding Thesis Award. She has continued to pursue her passion for exploring the nexus between climate change and security. Katelin is also participating in the 2021-2022 Climate and Security Advisory Group (CSAG) Climate and Security Fellowship Program. As part of the group, she has continued to pursue her research on the risks, surprises, and unexpected opportunities climate change might have on the future of U.S. Security.
Katelin Wright's thesis
Perfect Storm: Climate-Induced Migration to the United States
