October 23, 2025 – Washington, DC - The Cato Institute announced today the promotion of Alex Nowrasteh, one of the nation’s leading scholars on immigration policy, to senior vice president for policy. The appointment recognizes his distinguished scholarly career and his proven leadership in advancing principled libertarian policy research across multiple issue areas.

In this new role, Nowrasteh will provide organization-wide oversight of Cato’s research, analysis, and broad portfolio of content that advances individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. He will also continue his existing responsibilities leading a team of accomplished scholars and policy analysts across a broad range of economics issues, including fiscal and tax policy, health care, immigration studies, and energy and environmental policy.

“It’s a privilege to take on this broader role and to oversee such an extraordinary team of scholars,” said Nowrasteh. “Cato has never been stronger or more effective in shaping the public policy debate domestically and globally. Although we’ve made tremendous progress, we have much further to go.”

Since joining Cato, Nowrasteh has built an outstanding scholarly record. He co-authored Wretched Refuse? The Political Economy of Immigration and Institutions, a book on the political economy of immigration and institutions, which received the Best Book Award from the Society for the Development of Austrian Economics. His prolific scholarship includes numerous peer-reviewed academic papers and dozens of widely cited policy reports.

“This expanded role recognizes Alex’s unique ability to combine scholarly rigor with strategic leadership,” said Peter Goettler, President and CEO of the Cato Institute. “His track record of building teams, producing influential research, and changing policy makes him ideally suited to play this larger role in advancing Cato’s mission at a critical time.”

What distinguishes Nowrasteh’s work is his rigorous empirical approach and his ability to bridge academic research with real-world policy. Through data-driven analysis, he has challenged misconceptions and advanced evidence-based reforms that have reshaped how policymakers address complex issues.

As a leader, he has built a first-rate team of scholars, producing research that has meaningfully influenced public debates and outcomes nationwide. His impact extends from Capitol Hill to the White House, where he has testified before Congress, informed executive actions, and contributed to major legislation central to Cato’s mission. His work has also appeared in leading outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Politico, Bloomberg, and CNN.

About the Cato Institute
The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Founded in 1977, Cato works to create a free and open society in which liberty allows every individual to pursue a life of prosperity and meaning in peace.

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