In the Shadow of Liberty

Join us for a compelling lecture by Ana Raquel Minian, historian at Stanford University, as they delve into their new book, In the Shadow of Liberty: The Invisible History of Immigration Detention in the United States. Minian reveals the often-overlooked history of immigration detention in America, a system that has operated in secrecy and legal ambiguity for over a century. Through a detailed examination of detention practices from the late 1800s to the present day, Minian illustrates how these practices have systematically deprived migrants of basic constitutional protections under the guise of legal and extraterritorial loopholes.

In their book, Minian presents the stories of four individuals—Fu Chi Hao, Ellen Knauff, Gerardo Mansur, and Fernando Arredondo—whose experiences of detention highlight the arbitrary and inhumane aspects of the system. From a Chinese Christian fleeing the Boxer Rebellion to a Guatemalan family separated at the border in 2017, these narratives shed light on the personal impact of policies designed to intimidate and exclude.

Minian’s research, which includes over 100 oral history interviews, exposes how migration detention has been used not only as a legal measure but as a tool of deterrence and dehumanization. This lecture will provide an in-depth exploration of Minian’s findings, offering a critical look at how the U.S. immigration system has evolved and urging listeners to confront the often-hidden realities of detention. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with a powerful narrative that challenges our understanding of justice and human rights.

Ana Raquel Minian is a professor of history at Stanford University and the author of the award-winning book Undocumented Lives, published by Harvard University Press in 2018. They are a recipient of the prestigious Andrew Carnegie fellowship, and their writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Foreign Affairs, among other outlets. Originally from Mexico City, they now live in the Bay Area.