Duke Students Tackle Immigration Policy in a Civil Discourse Project Roundtable

Duke students gathered for a thought-provoking Civil Discourse Roundtable on immigration, co-hosted by Polis: Center for Politics, the Civil Discourse Project, Duke College Republicans, and Duke Democrats. Moderated by Professor Abdullah Antepli and Hannah Postel, the discussion provided a space for students from across the political spectrum to share personal experiences, challenge perspectives, and engage in a constructive debate on one of today’s most pressing issues. The evening began with opening remarks from the presidents of Duke College Republicans and Duke Democrats, followed by a powerful round of personal anecdotes on how immigration has shaped students’ lives.

To deepen the discussion, Professor Antepli—who also serves as the Director of Polis: Center for Politics—and Professor Postel asked students to physically move to different sides of the room based on their views on key immigration questions, such as whether the U.S. should allow more or less immigration, prioritize family reunification or work-based visas, and how to handle undocumented immigration. This exercise set the stage for a lively debate, with students sharing their perspectives on the economic, social, and moral aspects of immigration policy. As the conversation unfolded, students engaged with one another’s ideas, often finding areas of agreement despite their differences. Professor Antepli closed by noting that, despite the diversity of opinions, there were no extreme viewpoints in the room—just a group of students eager to listen and engage. The event wrapped up with a discussion on specific policy ideas, setting the stage for future conversations on immigration at Duke.