Immigration Reform in 2013: Challenges & Opportunities

President Obama has given a nod to a long-awaited bipartisan framework for immigration reform from the Senate. A much-needed fix to our broken immigration system seems to be an imminent reality. But the celebration in the streets is tempered by a troubling truth: Some immigration reform has already happened, just not in the way we would have hoped. Even as policies like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) represent positive steps forward, deportations have climbed to a record 400,000 per year. Billions of dollars have been spent on security along our southern border. Non-criminal immigrants and U.S. citizens continuously get caught up in the deportation net. Families are torn apart on a daily basis.

Will pending reforms push us from bad to worse in 2013, or do we have the audacity to cling to hope?

In a panel moderated by Fernando Diaz, managing editor of Hoy, community and political leaders will discuss the viability of reform in 2013, a response to the Senate’s proposal, the economic implications for the Midwest, and what national advocates hope (and fear) they might see included in pending legislation:

• Oscar Chacon, executive director, National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities
• Dr. Rachel Bronson, vice president, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
• James Ferg-Cadima, regional counsel, National Public Policy Office, MALDEF
• Tara Magner, program officer, MacArthur Foundation and former senior counsel to the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont
• Laura Vazquez, immigration legislative analyst, National Council of La Raza

Local perspectives will be provided by a panel of community respondents, including:

• Moises Hernandez, Board of Directors, Latinos Progresando
• Mony Ruiz-Velasco, Legal Director, National Immigrant Justice Center, a Heartland Alliance Partner

February 14, 2013

Loyola University Chicago

Lewis Tower, Regents Hall

111 E. Pearson, Chicago

16th Floor

 *Bring a photo ID for building security purposes*

Suggested donation is $10

Space is limited. Secure your seat today by registering above.

Event Agenda

8 am: Doors Open & Breakfast Served

8:30-10:30am: Welcome, Panel, Q&A

10:30 am: Closing Remarks & Networking

This event is sponsored by the Latino Policy Forum and NALACC. Co-sponsors include Centro de Información, Erie Neighborhood House, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), Latinos Progresando, MALDEF, and Telpochcalli Community Education Project. Thanks to the Loyola University School of Social Work Institute on Migration and International Social Work for providing facilities support. 

For additional information, contact Isabel Anadon.