UCLA’s Hiroshi Motomura honored as a Great Immigrant, Great American by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation

Hiroshi Motomura, the Susan Westerberg Prager Distinguished Professor of Law and the faculty co-director of the Miñana Family Center for Immigration Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law, has been named part of the 2026 Class of Great Immigrants, Great Americans by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.

The 2026 Class of Great Immigrants recognizes naturalized citizens from 21 countries for their achievements in academia, the arts, business, medicine, sports, science, technology, engineering and math, which have strengthened America. The tribute, launched by the foundation in 2006 to raise public awareness of the economic and societal benefits of legal pathways to citizenship, is celebrated every Fourth of July.

It honors the legacy of Andrew Carnegie, who immigrated to America from Scotland in his teens, rose to become one of the world's wealthiest men and established one of the first philanthropic foundations in America. To mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year, the foundation also recognizes the eight foreign-born signers of the country's founding document.

"I'm honored to be part of the 2026 class, especially at this moment," Motomura said. "Immigrants have been part of this nation since its inception, though it is sometimes forgotten in these times. And I am a small part of a greater story that reminds us that those who come to the United States help create a stronger union. I am grateful to the Andrew Carnegie Foundation for this recognition."

Influential scholar of immigration law

Motomura is widely regarded as one of the most influential legal scholars in the field of immigration today. His extensive contributions have helped shape modern U.S. immigration policy and advocacy. He was part of the legal team that led the Obama administration to implement the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in 2012. He also cofounded the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, a nonprofit that provides free legal services to adults held in immigration detention and to immigrant children throughout Colorado.

His influence is visible across a range of academic disciplines and in federal, state and local policymaking. His 2006 book, "Americans in Waiting: The Lost Story of Immigration and Citizenship in the United States," won the Professional and Scholarly Publishing (PROSE) Award from the Association of American Publishers as the year's best book in Law and Legal Studies. He co-authored "Immigration and Citizenship: Process and Policy" and has published many widely cited articles on immigration and citizenship. His 2014 book, "Immigration Outside the Law," won the Association of American Publishers' Law and Legal Studies 2015 PROSE Award and was selected by the Association of College and Research Libraries as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title. His most recent book, "Borders and Belonging: Toward a Fair Immigration Policy," explains why immigration policy is such a contentious area and charts a path forward.

Motomura also co-hosts "Unsettled: Immigration in Turbulent Times," a podcast series that examines Trump administration policies and actions affecting immigration, migrants and their communities.

Motomura's work 'has saved lives'

Inside the classroom, Motomura is known for creative and effective teaching. He was one of 26 professors featured in "What the Best Law Teachers Do," a Harvard University Press book filled with anecdotes from former students. One recounts how Motomura's teaching helps him successfully represent asylum seekers. "His work has saved lives," the attorney said.

In 2017, Motomura received a Guggenheim Fellowship; he was awarded a Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Residency in 2024.

Over the last two decades, the Andrew Carnegie Foundation has recognized more than 790 Great Immigrants, resulting in one of the largest online resources of its kind. Past honorees include Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee, tennis great Steffi Graf, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, comedian John Oliver, actor Pedro Pascal and writer Ocean Vuong.

"As the United States celebrates 250 years of independence, our Great Immigrants tribute reminds us of the myriad ways immigrants have contributed to our society," said Dame Louise Richardson, president of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, who is a naturalized American citizen born in Ireland. "In honor of our founder, Andrew Carnegie, himself a Scottish immigrant, we applaud the 2026 Class of 'Great Immigrants, Great Americans' for their talent, skills, and achievements as naturalized citizens."