Jesuit Refugee Service/USA (JRS/USA) is thrilled to announce that academic, editor, and nonprofit leader Donald Kerwin has been named the organization’s new vice president, advocacy, research, and partnerships.  

Before joining JRS, Donald held leadership positions in the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), the Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS), and the Migration Policy Institute (MPI). He has served as editor in chief of the Journal on Migration and Human Security for 12 years. He also has served as a senior fellow at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Law and Religion, as a non-resident fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center, and as a senior researcher at the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs, in addition to sitting on numerous boards, advisory groups, task forces, and commissions.  

Donald has appeared as a migration policy expert and reform advocate on National Public Radio, 60 Minutes, FOX News, the BBC, and in the pages of the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Politico, and more. He has also given congressional testimony, been called upon to brief US government agencies, and been invited to present to UN supranational agencies.  

“We are delighted that Don, a highly respected expert with decades of experience in immigration and humanitarian policy and scholarship, will lead our advocacy, research, and partnership efforts,” said Kelly Ryan, president of JRS/USA. “He will greatly enhance our ability to bring persuasive data and evidence-based approaches to key policy decision-making processes.” 

Donald said, “I am pleased and honored to join the superb team at JRS/USA and, by extension, the global JRS network, whose mission has always inspired me and whose work I have participated in, admired, and closely followed for many years.” 

 If you would like to speak with Donald, please contact JRS/USA Director of Marketing & Communication Bridget Cusick.