Next at LATAM Conference: Panel on regional stability & migration with Thomas Shannon, formerly Department of State; Mark Feierstein, formerly National Security Council; former U.N. Gen. Assembly Pres. María Fernanda Espinosa; Jason Marczak of Latin America Center; and Martha Bárcena, former amb. of Mexico to U.S.

Thomas Shannon Department of State Mark Feierstein María Fernanda Espinosa Jason Marczak Latin America Center Martha Bárcena 'Migration as we understand it is not new. It has been building over time. ... Migrants have fundamentally transformed parts of the United States. ... It's not just an American phenomenon. It's a phenomenon we've seen across the region.' -- Thomas Shannon

Thomas Shannon Department of State Mark Feierstein María Fernanda Espinosa Jason Marczak Latin America Center Martha Bárcena 'From a policy perspective, there's no issue more vexing then migration. ... It's one of the most difficult issues around the world. ... No issue challenges policymakers in the way that migration does.' -- Mark Feierstein

Thomas Shannon Department of State Mark Feierstein María Fernanda Espinosa Jason Marczak Latin America Center Martha Bárcena 'The history of humanity is the history of war, religion, and migration. Migration comes with the very birth of humankind. The challenge is how we govern migration. How people on the move do so with dignity and respect of their human rights.' -- María Fernanda Espinosa

Thomas Shannon Department of State Mark Feierstein María Fernanda Espinosa Jason Marczak Latin America Center Martha Bárcena 'When there are global crises, we see those surges of migrants coming through. ...' Migration and security 'are intrinsically linked in many ways. ... It's important to look in this country at the fact that migration is a federal issue [and] a state and local issue.' -- Jason Marczak

Thomas Shannon Department of State Mark Feierstein María Fernanda Espinosa Jason Marczak Latin America Center Martha Bárcena We're now seeing two different types of migrants: 'Economic migrants looking for better opportunities, and asylum seekers.' -- Martha Bárcena

Thanks to our panelists for a great discussion on migration.