Hiroshi Motomura, the Susan Westerberg Prager Distinguished Professor of Law and co-director of the Minana Family Center for Immigration Law and Policy at UCLA School of Law, has been named a member of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation’s Great Immigrants, Great Americans Class of 2026.
This year’s class recognizes the achievements of naturalized citizens from 21 countries across various fields, including academia, arts, business, medicine, sports, and STEM. The initiative, launched in 2006, aims to highlight the social and economic benefits that a legal pathway to citizenship provides, celebrated annually on July 4th.
The tribute honors Andrew Carnegie, who emigrated from Scotland to the United States as a teenager and eventually became one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this year’s ceremony will also acknowledge eight foreign-born signers of America’s founding documents.
“I am honored to be a part of the Class of 2026, especially at this time,” Motomura expressed. He emphasized that while immigrants have been integral to America’s foundation, their contributions are sometimes overlooked today. “I am grateful to the Andrew Carnegie Foundation for this recognition,” he added, underscoring the role of immigrants in fostering national unity.
Prominent Immigration Advocate
Mr. Motomura is widely acknowledged as a leading authority in immigration law and policy. His extensive contributions have significantly influenced contemporary U.S. immigration advocacy. He was a vital member of the legal team that implemented the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program during the Obama administration in 2012. Additionally, he co-founded the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, which offers free legal services to both adults and children detained in Colorado’s immigration facilities.
His influence reaches across various academic disciplines and impacts policymaking at federal, state, and local levels. Motomura’s 2006 book, *Americans in Waiting: The Lost Story of Immigration and Citizenship in the United States,* won the PROSE Award for Law and Legal Studies Book of the Year. He co-authored *Immigration and Citizenship: Process and Policy* and has penned numerous cited articles on immigration. His 2014 work, *Immigrants Outside the Law,* also received significant accolades, including the 2015 PROSE Award in Law and Legal Research, and was recognized as an outstanding academic title by the Association of University Research Libraries. In his latest publication, *Borders and Belonging: Towards a Just Immigration Policy,* he delves into the complexities of immigration policy and proposes future directions.
In addition to his writing, Motomura co-hosts the podcast series *Unsettled: Immigration in Turbulent Times,* which critically examines the policies affecting immigrant communities during the Trump administration.
Transformative Impact in Education
Renowned for his innovative teaching style, Mr. Motomura has positively influenced countless students. He is one of the 26 educators featured in the Harvard University Press book *What the Best Law Teachers Do,* which shares testimonials from former students. One attorney credited Mr. Motomura’s mentorship with their success in seeking asylum, stating, “His work saved lives.”
In recognition of his contributions to academia, Motomura received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2017 and was honored with the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Residency in 2024.
Over the past two decades, the Andrew Carnegie Foundation has celebrated over 790 distinguished immigrants, establishing one of the most extensive online resources dedicated to recognizing their contributions. Past honorees include Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee, tennis champion Steffi Graf, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, comedian John Oliver, actor Pedro Pascal, and author Ocean Vuong.
“As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, our monument to great immigrants serves as a reminder of the substantial contributions they have made to our society,” stated Dame Louise Richardson, chair of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation and a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Ireland. “In the spirit of our founder, Andrew Carnegie, who was himself a Scottish immigrant, we honor the Class of 2026 as ‘Great Immigrants, Great Americans’ for their remarkable talents and achievements.”
