UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs

28/10/2026

The path to U.S. citizenship is becoming increasingly difficult for legal immigrants, according to new research from the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge.

A new study co-authored by research professor Paul Ong found that monthly naturalization approvals nationwide dropped 83%, from 88,000 in April 2025 to fewer than 16,000 in August 2026. Researchers point to changing citizenship requirements and longer processing times as potential factors behind the decline, raising concerns about the impact on immigrant communities and voter participation in the 2026 midterm elections.

Read more about the findings and what they could mean for the future of U.S. citizenship:

New analysis from the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge finds an 83% drop in monthly naturalizations, raising concerns about barriers to citizenship and voter participation. Becoming a citizen in the […]

28/10/2026

Blue and Gold Challenge is here! 💙💛 Help UCLA Luskin unlock a $10,000 challenge gift for student scholarships—and every gift brings us closer to our 40-gift goal. Donors who give $25 or more get a commemorative pin set! Get ready to make an impact! Give using this link: https://bit.ly/4k4Zm3M

28/10/2026

UCLA Luskin faculty and policy experts are bringing research, analysis and real-world perspectives to the conversations shaping our communities.

We’ve brought their insights together in a new election resource hub to help you explore the issues, understand the potential impacts and go beyond the headlines.

🔗 Hear from our experts at the link in our bio.

27/10/2026

What's at stake in the 2026 midterms? From housing affordability and immigration to voting rights, AI and California ballot measures, the issues shaping this election go far beyond the voting booth.

As voters prepare to head to the polls, UCLA Luskin faculty and policy experts are bringing research, analysis and real-world perspectives to some of the most pressing issues facing our communities.

We've brought their insights together in a new election resource hub to help you go beyond the headlines, explore the debates and better understand what's at stake. Explore the issues and hear from our experts:

UCLA Luskin faculty and policy experts on housing, voting rights, immigration, climate and more, plus resources to help you vote.

27/10/2026

As California braces for heavy El Niño rains, can cities turn the threat of flooding into an opportunity? Luskin climate adaptation expert Edith de Guzman says the answer lies in rethinking how cities manage stormwater.

“We can’t just engineer our way out of the problems,” de Guzman tells Grist.org emphasizing the need for nature-based solutions that work with, rather than against, the environment.

Historically, El Niño has walloped the Golden State with deluges. Here's how it will capture and store that bounty for the dry years ahead.

26/10/2026

The UCLA Blue & Gold Challenge is here! From October 26–31, join the Bruin community in supporting the next generation of leaders at UCLA Luskin! We're on a mission to reach 40 gifts of $8 or more to unlock an additional $10,000 for student scholarships. Every gift brings us one step closer to expanding opportunities for Luskin students and empowering them to make a difference in our communities.

As a special thank-you, donors who give $25 or more will receive a commemorative UCLA pin set!

Help us reach our goal and make an even bigger impact. Give today: https://bit.ly/4k4Zm3M

https://youtu.be/E_h9cOQyJsI

Join UCLA Luskin for the 2026 Blue & Gold Challenge, October 26–31!...

26/10/2026

Can parking complaints be used to disguise discrimination? New research by Urban Planning Professor Adam Millard-Ball examines how seemingly routine concerns about parking and traffic can be used to oppose the construction of mosques.

In a recent interview, Millard-Ball discusses how local planning processes can enable discrimination and what cities can do to make development approvals more equitable.

A new paper finds that mosques are more likely to face pushback over parking than other houses of worship. What should planners do about it?

23/10/2026

Speed cameras are coming to Los Angeles. Will they make our streets safer? L.A. is preparing to activate 125 speed cameras across the city, targeting drivers traveling 11 mph or more over the speed limit. Luskin Urban Planning Professor Michael Manville spoke about the new program and its potential to reduce dangerous driving.

Los Angeles will install dozens of speed cameras by the end of the year.

22/10/2026

Congratulations to UCLA Luskin alumnus Sean Kennedy on his appointment as California's deputy secretary of housing policy! Appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Kennedy brings extensive experience in state government, climate and energy policy, sustainability and academic research to his new role.

A graduate of UCLA Luskin's Urban Planning program, Kennedy earned both his master's degree and doctorate at UCLA. His career has spanned academia and public service, including leadership roles at the California Strategic Growth Council.

Read more about his appointment on the UCLA Luskin website.

UCLA Luskin alumnus Sean Kennedy has been appointed deputy secretary of housing policy at the California Housing and Homelessness Agency, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Oct. 15. Kennedy earned both a […]

22/10/2026

The future of LAPD leadership has become a key issue in Los Angeles' mayoral race, as Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman take different positions on Police Chief Jim McDonnell. Luskin Professor David C. Turner tells the Los Angeles Times that both Mayor Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman face scrutiny over their records on LAPD funding.

Some observers see the November election between Mayor Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman as a referendum on LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell.