Kristina Fullerton Rico

Kristina Fullerton Rico is a Research Fellow at the Center for Racial Justice at the Ford School, University of Michigan. She holds a Ph.D., M.S., and B.A. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Reed College. Her research focuses on the social and emotional impacts of U.S. immigration policies, particularly on unauthorized immigrants and their families facing long-term separation. Current projects include studies on aging undocumented Mexican immigrants in New York City, return migrants in Mexico, and separated parent-child relationships.

• Education:
• Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Wisconsin–Madison
• M.S. in Sociology, University of Wisconsin–Madison
• B.A. in Sociology, Reed College

Her work explores themes of transnational migration, family dynamics under policy constraints, and emotional resilience. Funded by the Russell Sage Foundation and Sociologists for Women in Society, her scholarship bridges sociological inquiry with policy implications.

Research outputs include a notable article in Social Problems on grief among separated families. While no formal advisees are listed, her postdoctoral role emphasizes collaborative research within interdisciplinary teams at the Ford School and LSA.

Based in the LSA Building, she contributes to the Sociology department’s engagement with racial justice and migration policy.