Monica W. Varsanyi is a Professor of Geography at CUNY Graduate Center and Political Science at John Jay College, CUNY. She serves as Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Graduate Center. Her work bridges migration studies, political development, and state policy. PhD in Geography, UCLA MA in Geography, University of Washington BA in Geography-Environmental Studies and International Development Studies, UCLA Varsanyi specializes in immigration federalism, unauthorized migration, and geographies of citizenship. Her research explores how local and state governments navigate federal immigration policies, the intersection of neoliberalism and nativism, and historical roots of voter disenfranchisement. Recent projects analyze archival methodologies and long-term immigration policy trends in New Mexico and Arizona. Her publications reveal a focus on jurisdictional conflicts, racialization processes, and the role of local law enforcement in immigration policing. Key themes include the politicization of personhood, urban governance challenges, and methodological innovations in migration research. Winner of the 2018 Outstanding Book in Policing Award (American Society of Criminology) Varsanyi’s career includes funding from the National Science Foundation and National Endowment for the Humanities. She is affiliated with multiple academic organizations, including the American Political Science Association and Law and Society Association.








