MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Renowned historian and author Pablo Mijangos will visit Middle Tennesse State University on Monday, April 22, to deliver a free public lecture about the ongoing migration crisis at the U.S.-Mexican border.

Mijangos, the Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Chair in History at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, will speak on “Migration and the Crisis of Mexican Democracy.” The lecture will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. Monday, April 22, in the State Farm Room of the Business and Aerospace Building, 1642 MTSU Blvd. on campus.

Although the U.S. media has widely reported about the migration crisis at the border, Mijangos will home in on the viewpoint of the Mexican government and its people as they have grappled with decades of drug cartel violence, the erosion of the democratic system, and the militarization of the police forces.

“Political disagreements arise over these issues, and the debate on migration is particularly charged on both sides of the border,” said Christoph Rosenmüller, a professor of Latin American history in the MTSU Department of History. “Dr. Mijangos will cast light on these issues, especially on Mexico’s contributions.”

Trade between the two nations accounts for more than 15% of all U.S. goods. And some studies estimate that more than 37 million U.S. citizens are of Mexican descent. Although there are ties that bind, both countries face significant challenges.

“Finding a balance between effective security and a humane approach to migration remains a complex task for both nations,” said Rosenmüller, whose research focuses on the history of corruption in Mexico.

In addition to speaking extensively about the current affairs at the border, Mijangos has authored numerous articles and books, including his latest on the history of the Mexican Supreme Court.

Lunch will be served at 2:30 p.m. prior to the lecture. The lecture will also be livestreamed. For a Zoom link, email Christoph.Rosenmuller@mtsu.edu.

A campus parking map is available at http://bit.ly/MTSUParking. Off-campus visitors attending the lecture can obtain a one-day permit at https://mtsu.edu/parking/visit.php.

Sponsors of the event include the MTSU Distinguished Lecture Fund and the MTSU College of Liberal Arts.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)