Get to know the panelists

Dr. Austin Kocher, Relevant Research, Syracuse University

Dr. Kocher is a political and legal geographer studying the theories, laws, and institutional practices behind immigration enforcement. His research focuses on the political and legal geography of immigration enforcement, examining topics such as mass immigrant surveillance, the digitization of asylum processes, and the impacts of immigration policies on vulnerable populations. His work critically analyzes the intersection of technology and immigration control, as well as the socio-legal challenges faced by immigrants within the U.S. legal system.

Assistant Research Professor in the Office of Research and Creative Activity in the S.I. Newhouse of Public Communication at Syracuse University. I am also an affiliated faculty member with the Department of Geography at the Maxwell School, and an affiliated expert at the Institute for Democracy, Journalism, and Citizenship. Kocher is also a Research Fellow at American University’s Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and the Immigration Lab.

His research has appeared in journals such as Antipode, American Behavioral Scientist, Territory, Politics, Governance, Societies, Georgetown Law Journal, and Journal of Latin American Geography. Kocher is often featured in the national news as an expert on immigration, including outlets such as C-SPAN, NPR, The New York Times, NPR’s Morning Edition, and many more.

Connect with Austin on his Substack, personal website, or socials @austinkocher

Vanessa Henriquez, MO Worker’s Center

Vanessa Henriquez is a mother to three wonderful human beings; Judah (11), Jesse (9) and Lena (4). She is currently the Community Organizing Coordinator at Missouri Workers Center and the lead organizer for Fuerza: an immigrant rights campaign focused on demanding safety, dignity and respect for all immigrants in the St. Louis area.

Connect with Vanessa at vanessa@moworkers.org

Blake Hamilton, International Institute of St. Louis

Blake Hamilton is the President and CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis. He leads a team dedicated to creating opportunities for refugees and immigrants to thrive in order to create a more welcoming, healthy and prosperous region for all. Over more than 16 years at the Institute, Blake has guided workforce, education, and immigration services, expanded immigration legal support, and championed small-business growth through the Institute’s Community Development Corporation. Blake is known for his work in inclusive economic development and immigrant advocacy, partnering closely with civic, business, non-profit and neighborhood leaders to make St. Louis a welcoming home for all. He is an alumnus of FOCUS St. Louis’ Leadership St. Louis program, holds a nonprofit management certificate from Washington University’s Olin Business School, and earned his B.A. from the University of Missouri–Columbia. Blake’s work has been recognized by the St. Louis Partnership’s Arcus Awards and FOCUS St. Louis’ What’s Right With the Region Awards.

Connect with Blake at hamiltonb@iistl.org or on LinkedIn

Jerry Rodriguez, Detained Intake Volunteer Attorney

Jerry Rodriguez is a 40+ year, St. Louis labor and employment lawyer and consultant and former Assistant General Counsel for Labor and Employment at Nestlé Purina PetCare Company and partner at Husch Blackwell, LLP, a national full-service law firm. Jerry volunteers as a non-immigration legal expert and ‘DIVA’ (Detained Intake Volunteer Attorney) for the St. Louis Rapid Response Hotline for Detained Immigrants. Jerry is a first-generation Cuban-American immigrant, and has a great personal interest in using his privileges both as an attorney and a US immigrant to help advance marginalized communities that are such key pieces of the St. Louis region and its wonderful and unique culture.

Learn about how to volunteer with the St. Louis Rapid Response Hotline here.

Lucy Behrendt, Abide in Love

Lucy Behrendt is a career educator with 15 years of classroom experience grounded in a deep commitment to equity, critical thinking, and the dignity of every person. As an activist, organizer, and the President of Abide in Love, Lucy provides the vision and leadership to fulfill the organization’s mission by cultivating a space where compassion, courage, and collective responsibility can flourish. Her work reflects the belief that lasting change emerges from harnessing the passion and expertise of volunteer community members who can, together, build successful systems to walk alongside those impacted by injustice.

Connect with Lucy and Abide in Love at info@abideinlove.org, www.abideinlove.org and @abideinlove on socials

Alicia Hernandez, The M.I.C.A. Project

Alicia Hernandez is the Director of Advocacy at the Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project, which is building the organization’s creative advocacy efforts to transform policy and grow campaigns that further the dignity and well-being of immigrants in our state. Alicia grew up as the daughter of undocumented immigrants and has been organizing since 2016 across sectors and issues including immigrant justice, labor, electoral, and legislative. She is a co-founder of the Missouri Immigration Policy Coalition and has led local and statewide campaigns. Alicia believes in the innate dignity of all people.

Connect with Alicia at aliciahernandez@mica-project.org, www.mica-project.org, on Facebook and on LinkedIn

To catch up, read the Blog Post about this panel event here.