New York, NY – The Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN) and the  Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS) are pleased to announce the appointment of J. Kevin Appleby as the Director of International Migration Policy for both institutions. For more than 16 years, Mr. Appleby has served with distinction as the Director of Migration and Public Affairs for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Migration and Refugee Services (MRS). In this position, he has worked with the USCCB Committee on Migration to develop and pursue just and rights-respecting immigration and refugee policies. He has testified before Congress, represented the US bishops at public events and with the media, served as a resource to faith-based institutions nationwide, and co-edited the book On Strangers No Longer: Perspectives on the U.S.-Mexican Catholic Bishop’s Pastoral Letter on Migration. 

Prior to joining USCCB, Mr. Appleby served as the Deputy Director of the Maryland Catholic Conference. He also worked for Senator Russell Long of Louisiana and on select committees of the US Senate, including the Senate Select Committee on the Iran-Contra Affair. He received his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, an M.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University, and a law degree from the University of Maryland.

In his new position, which will begin in January 2016, Mr. Appleby will work with SIMN, the Congregation of St. Charles Borromeo, Scalabrinians, and CMS to translate the vast knowledge and work of the SIMN network into international migration policies. He will also extensively contribute to CMS’s international migration research, events, scholarship and support to faith-based institutions.

“We are delighted that Kevin will be joining CMS and the SIMN network,” said CMS’s Executive Director, Donald Kerwin. “We are convinced that Kevin’s expertise and experience will allow CMS and the SIMN to take the next steps in our service to migrants, core commitment to international migration research and scholarship, and promotion of evidence-based public policies in multiple fora.”

Fr. Leonir Chiarello, C.S., SIMN Executive Director, said: “Kevin has been a tireless and devoted friend to refugees and immigrants over many years, as well as a leading public policy expert on international migration. We look forward to welcoming him into the SIMN network and working with him in service to migrants, refugees and newcomers for years to come.”