Garcia, Other Panelists Address Immigration and Refugees, Elections, Climate Change and Diversity
DETROIT – The 12th Annual “New American Dreams” National Immigrant Integration Conference (NIIC2019) continues Monday featuring U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-Ill.) addressing the achievements and provisions of the “A New Deal for New Americans” platform to the more than 1,400 expected conference participants.
This plan is the backbone of the conference, which integrates federal, state, and local actions that promote equity, protections and shared prosperity for immigrants and refugees across the United States.
Congressman García has a long history of advocating for communities of color, rooted in his personal story.
“When my family and I arrived in the U.S. in 1965, we were welcomed into a community and a network of services that enabled us to become U.S. citizens. Without that network of services, I might not have become one of the first Latinos on the Chicago City Council, or the first Mexican American Illinois State Senator, or to serve as a U.S. Congressman today. I am looking forward to discussing strategic policies to overcome current systemic barriers to becoming a citizen. We must keep advocating so all people have the same opportunities available to me and my family” Congressman García said.
His “A New Deal for New Americans” address will not only highlight the advocacy victories of this platform but also will expose the rampant offensive from the Trump Administration against immigrants and refugees.
The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) has taken the lead in building this platform, by bringing together the collective efforts of its 35-member organizations and building civic engagement in all levels, as well as defending immigrant and refugee rights.
“We are determined and will not be discouraged by the increasing attacks, injustice, and persecution this administration keeps promoting against immigrants and refugees. Our vision for New American Dreams can defeat this with strategies that bring us together, rather than apart. Our unity is the fundamental power we have against those who stand against democracy, justice, and diversity” said Diego Iñiguez-López, Policy and Campaigns Manager with NPNA.
Along with Rep. Garcia, Michigan’s Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans, also took the stage on “A New Deal for New Americans”, as well as Kathy Ko Chin, President & CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum; Eréndira Rendón, NPNA Board Member and Vice President of The Resurrection Project; and Luz Vega-Marquis, President & CEO of the Marguerite Casey Foundation.
The second day of the conference will also feature a wide array of plenaries and conferences, along with opportunities to network with organizations and leaders from all over the country. Among the plenaries, “Winning the Future: From Hate to Hope” and “It’s a Global Thing: Migration, Refugees, Economies, Climate & Democracy”.
The day will end with the Concert of Colors world music festival, a one-night performance showcasing local and international artists who are helping build cultural bridges. It will be held at the TCF Center and is free and open to the public and NIIC participants. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m., followed by the concert at 8:00 p.m.
NIIC 2019, an annual event organized by NPNA, champions the power and resources of the country’s 35 largest regional immigrant rights organizations in 37 states.
The conference has three local co-hosts: Michigan United, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) and ACCESS (Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services), the largest Arab American community nonprofit in the United States.
About our Co-Hosts:
ACCESS, with 11 locations and more than 120 programs serving metro Detroit, is one of the largest social service providers in Michigan and offers a wide range of social, economic, health, and educational services to a diverse population. Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) is a leading legal resource center for Michigan’s immigrant communities. MIRC works to build a thriving Michigan where immigrant communities experience equity and belonging. Michigan United is the largest statewide organizing coalition, comprised of some 50 faith, labor, business, and community institutions fighting for the dignity of all people, an economy that works for the many, a participatory democracy that is strong, and a society that protects civil rights.
WHAT: The National Immigration Integration Conference (NIIC2019) will address pressing issues for America: from Immigration and Refugees to elections, climate change, and diversity; will host the Concert of Colors world music festival
WHO: Wide array of speakers and activists, including U.S. Representative Jesus “Chuy” Garcia from Illinois and Michigan’s Wayne County Executive, Warren C. Evans
**Evans will make an announcement about joining a major national initiative
WHEN: Monday, October 21st, 2019
WHERE: TCF Center, 1 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
Plenaries:
A NEW DEAL FOR NEW AMERICANS – 8:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
This plenary will explore innovative strategies and policies at the state and municipal level, that can elevate a proposed framework — the New American Dreams Platform — for state, regional and federal shifts that lead with a commitment to equity and shared prosperity.
Moderator: Steve Choi, Co-Chair, National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) and Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition
Speakers:
- U.S. Representative Jesus Garcia, D-IL
- Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans, Wayne County, MI
- Kathy Ko Chin, President & CEO, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
- Erendira Rendon, Board Member, NPNA; Vice President, The Resurrection Project
- Luz Vega-Marquis, President & CEO, Marguerite Casey Foundation
WINNING THE FUTURE: FROM HATE TO HOPE – 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
This plenary will provide a strategic view on what long-haul winning means at this juncture in our country — in 2020 at the polls and far beyond. How do we reclaim American values that embrace pluralism and diversity
Moderator: Gustavo Torres, NPNA Founding Co-Chair; Executive Director CASA
Speakers:
- Julissa Arce, Author
- Hassan Jaber, President & CEO, ACCESS
- Alexis McGill Johnson, Acting President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
- Maria Rodriguez, Board Member, NPNA; Executive Director, Florida Immigrant Coalition
- Ari Simon, Vice President, Chief Program & Strategy Officer, The Kresge Foundation
IT’S A GLOBAL THING: MIGRATION, REFUGEES, ECONOMY, CLIMATE & DEMOCRACY –
5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
This plenary will look at the global challenges, America’s shifting role as a leader, and how this impacts the day-to-day work in our communities. Panelists will focus on refugees and forced migration, economic impacts, and highlight successful integration programs and local initiatives.
Moderator: Angelica Salas, Executive Committee Member, NPNA; Executive Director, CHIRLA
Speakers:
- Kayse Jama, NPNA Board of Directors; Executive Director, Unite Oregon
- Krish O’Mara Vignaragh, President & CEO, Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Service
- Senator Ratna Omidvar, Ontario, Canada
- Christine Sauvé, Welcoming Michigan Director, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center
- Andrew Selee, President, Migration Policy Institute
- Cindy Wiesner, Executive Director, Grassroots Global Justice Alliance
Live Concert of Colors:
This special one-night-only performance will showcase some of the world’s (and Detroit’s) leading artists who have helped burst barriers and build cultural bridges.
LAS CAFETERAS, a genre-bending, electric Chicano band that fuses Son Jarocho, Afro-Mexican music and zapateado dancing and lyrically rich storytelling to share the hidden stories of migrant life in Los Angeles;
SALADIN AHMED, an acclaimed Arab American author and story-teller and star of the Marvel comics universe; and the
PATHE JASSI AND SEAN BLACKMAN TRIO, which blends Senegalese, Afro/Jazz, Armenian, Brazilian and Flamenco musical styles with Detroit Jazz.
For More information also contact: FERNANDA DURAND (443) 396-3317 [email protected]
MYNELLIES NEGRON (703) 585-6727 [email protected]
The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) leads the annual National Immigrant Integration Conference. In the past two years, NPNA partners have assisted over 50,000 immigrants to become U.S. citizens and pursue legal status. NPNA harnesses the collective power and resources of the country’s 35 largest regional immigrant rights organizations in 37 states. It aims to achieve a vibrant, just and welcoming democracy for all.
The National Partnership for New Americans, is a national, multiethnic, multiracial partnership of immigrants and refugee rights organizations across 37 states that works to promote citizenship and integration among our diverse immigrant and refugee communities for the benefit of all Americans.
