Policy Work

Policy Briefs

Research briefs and policy reports translating academic findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers.

Working Paper Harvard Growth Lab

Japan's Economic Puzzle

Examines Japan's paradoxical economic position: highest economic complexity globally yet sluggish productivity growth, with policy recommendations for innovation and immigration reform.

May 2024 Read Brief
Policy Paper Center for Global Development

Data Against Fear: What the Numbers Say About Venezuelan Migrants and Crime in Ecuador

Empirical analysis examining crime data in Ecuador to assess claims about Venezuelan migrants and criminality, with evidence-based policy recommendations.

2024 Read Brief
Policy Paper Center for Global Development

Sanctions on Venezuela Are Not Driving Migration to the Southwest Border: An Empirical Assessment

Empirical assessment examining whether U.S. sanctions on Venezuela are responsible for increased migration to the southwest border.

2024 Read Brief
Policy Paper Center for Global Development

Forced Migration and Refugees: Policies for Successful Economic and Social Integration

Policy framework for successful economic and social integration of forced migrants and refugees in host countries.

2024 Read Brief
Policy Paper Center for Global Development

Economic Integration of Venezuelan Immigrants in Colombia: A Policy Roadmap

Comprehensive policy roadmap for integrating Venezuelan immigrants into Colombia's economy, with recommendations for labor market access and regularization.

2024 Read Brief
Policy Report Brookings Institution

A Roadmap for Immigration Reform: Identifying Weak Links in the Labor Supply Chain

Presents an 'Occupational Opportunity Network' framework to identify occupations with high demand and immigrant participation, recommending expansion of H1B and H2B visas.

March 2023 Read Brief
Research Brief Brookings Institution

Innovation Quality and Global Collaborations: Insights from Japan

Analyzes Japan's productivity dynamics and Global Collaborative Patents, finding innovation quality lags despite high R&D spending, with recommendations for foreign R&D centers and immigration.

January 2021 Read Brief
Research Brief Brookings Institution

An Executive Order Worth $100 Billion: The Impact of an Immigration Ban's Announcement on Fortune 500 Firms' Valuation

Documents how Trump's June 2020 visa ban announcement caused Fortune 500 companies to lose approximately $100 billion in market value.

October 2020 Read Brief
Research Brief Brookings Institution

Venezuelan Migration, Crime, and Misperceptions: A Review of Data from Colombia, Peru, and Chile

Analyzes 2019 crime data finding Venezuelan immigrants commit substantially fewer crimes than native-born populations, challenging widespread misconceptions.

September 2020 Read Brief
Policy Brief Brookings Institution

Refugees as Assets Not Burdens: The Role of Policy

Argues that migrants and refugees contribute valuable skills, knowledge, and innovation that can drive economic growth when proper policies are in place.

February 2020 Read Brief
Research Brief Brookings Institution

Innovation and the Transatlantic Productivity Slowdown: A Comparative Analysis of R&D and Patenting Trends in Japan, Germany, and the United States

Examines why Japan's innovation output lags despite high R&D spending, exploring how government incentives and R&D composition explain the productivity paradox.

January 2020 Read Brief
Task Force Report Organization of American States Member of OAS Task Force

Report of the OAS Working Group on the Venezuelan Migrant and Refugee Crisis in the Region

Final report of the OAS Working Group analyzing the Venezuelan migration crisis affecting Latin America and the Caribbean, with policy recommendations for regional coordination.

June 2019 Read Brief
Informe Organización de los Estados Americanos Miembro del Grupo de Trabajo de la OEA

Informe del Grupo de Trabajo de la OEA para abordar la crisis de migrantes y refugiados venezolanos en la región

Informe final del Grupo de Trabajo de la OEA sobre la crisis migratoria venezolana que afecta a América Latina y el Caribe, con recomendaciones de políticas para la coordinación regional.

June 2019 Read Brief
Research Brief Brookings Institution

Impact of the 2017 Sanctions on Venezuela: Revisiting the Evidence

Challenges claims that U.S. sanctions caused Venezuela's humanitarian crisis, presenting evidence that economic collapse predated sanctions by years.

May 2019 Read Brief
Policy Brief Brookings Institution

Migrants and the Startup Nation

Proposes Israel can address skilled worker shortages while expanding development assistance by recruiting engineers from developing nations through short-term visa programs.

December 2018 Read Brief
Policy Brief Brookings Institution

Integrating Venezuelans into the Colombian Labor Market: Mitigating Costs and Maximizing Benefits

Examines regularization of Venezuelan migrants in Colombia, highlighting their young, well-educated profile and strategies for successful labor market integration.

December 2018 Read Brief
Policy Brief Brookings Institution

Venezuela: A Path Out of Misery

Examines Venezuela's economic, humanitarian, and governance crises and provides recommendations for international response to the migration crisis affecting over 2 million people.

October 2018 Read Brief
Policy Brief Brookings Institution

How Can Developing Countries Use Their Diaspora Capital?

Explores how emigrants and their networks represent 'unexploited capital' that could foster growth in home countries, proposing policy frameworks to leverage diaspora assets.

March 2018 Read Brief
Policy Brief Brookings Institution

Can Latin American Countries Benefit from Their Large Emigrant Populations?

Examines how Latin American nations can leverage diaspora populations through remittances, business networks, and knowledge transfer for economic development.

March 2018 Read Brief
Research Brief Brookings Institution

Diversification or Specialization: What is the Path to Growth and Development?

Examines whether economic growth results from specialization or diversification, finding that while poor nations concentrate exports, wealthier countries maintain diversified portfolios.

November 2016 Read Brief

For more policy commentary, see my op-eds and academic research.