2024 Tracks

NIIC features a cohort of intersectional issue area Tracks addressing core topics impacting immigrant and refugee communities. The issue areas are developed by the NIIC leadership, and the sessions housed in each Track are composed from the NIIC Call for Proposals, which is open to the whole field. With the support of NPNA staff and Track Advisors from NIIC stakeholder organizations and key field partners, these sessions are organized and featured at NIIC. 

Hundreds of diverse leaders from organizations across the country and from across the entire sector are featured as speakers/presenters in these sessions. NIIC participants may attend any of the Track sessions at NIIC; no pre-registration or pre-requisites are required. The NIIC 2024 Tracks are listed below.

UPDATED AS OF NOV 25, 2024

TIMING DETAILS FOR EACH SESSION WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE HERE AND ON OUR SCHEDULE PAGE BY NOV 30.

DETAILS ABOUT SPECIAL SESSIONS ARE HERE.

ACCESS TO JUSTICE: PROTECTION & BUILDING CAPACITIES TO DEFEND OUR COMMUNITIES

As we build upon the challenges of the last few years in fighting anti-immigrant narratives and policies both nationally and locally, and prepare for the new administration, the work to advance access to justice and deepen community protection is more important than ever. This track will focus on initiatives and strategies that build the power and strength of the immigrant movement to advance access to justice across the nation and meet the moment of increased attacks on our communities. Sessions will examine topics including universal legal representation, legal services capacity building, and models and strategies for rapid response and community defense.

Building Justice: Urgent Strategies to Protect and Expand Universal Representation in the Movement
A second Trump administration will intensify attacks on immigrant communities, activists, and nonprofit organizations. URep (Universal Representation) has emerged as a vital tool in meeting this moment. As a model that provides universal access to legal counsel, URep directly addresses the challenges of navigating immigration courts without a lawyer.This workshop will highlight the critical role the movement can play in expanding access to legal representation, ensuring protections for immigrant communities, and pushing back against the rising tide of mass detention and deportation.

This workshop will provide tools, strategies, and resources to help organizations and policymakers understand how they can take action—whether it’s expanding or implementing Universal Representation models within your own organizations, at the local or state level, or advocating for policy changes at the federal level. By the end of this session, participants will not only have a clearer understanding of the legal challenges immigrants face, but will also be empowered with the strategies and resources needed to make tangible progress toward achieving greater legal protections and equitable immigration policies for all.

Speakers:

  • Margaret Cargioli, Directing Attorney of Policy and Advocacy, Immigrant Defenders Law Center (she/her)

  • Kayla Kelechian, Senior Manager of Organizing and Strategy, Central New York, New York Immigration Coalition (she/ella) 

  • Zenobia Lai, Executive Director, Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative (she/ella)

  • Santiago Mueckay, Associate Director of Advocacy, Advancing Universal Representation Initiative, Vera Institute of Justice (he/him)

Building Legal Representation Capacity through DOJ Accreditation
As the legal representation crisis for immigrants deepens, there is increasing momentum to significantly expand the Department of Justice’s Recognition and Accreditation Program and stretch the availability of well-trained, high-quality legal advocates in non-profit organizations throughout the country. The program has been operating successfully since the 1950’s and yet it has been under-utilized. This panel will examine the elements and resources needed to further establish, expand and professionalize the field of Accredited Representatives. The Villanova University Strategic Initiative for Migrants + Refugees will present the preliminary results of its first-ever national survey of Accredited Representatives and Recognized Organizations, conducted in partnership with the Center for Migration Studies, offering a value proposition for the R & A program and a strategy to build the field of Accredited Representatives. The Resurrection Project and CLINIC will present their work in the field. They will showcase innovative projects and initiatives that bring together immigration legal service providers, educators and non-profit organizations that are building the field of Accredited Representatives and capacity at the state level. YMCA Houston will showcase their organization’s approach to investing and developing Accredited Representatives and using it as a strategy to expand their reach. These models are key to national expansion of the DOJ R & A Program. The panel will also discuss strategies and contingencies for the R & A program in the new Administration.
Speakers:

  • Luis Guerra, Director of Field Engagement, CLINIC (he/him/his)

  • Nicole J. Jones, Esq. Sr. Program Director, YMCA Houston

  • Robyn Lieberman, Associate Director, External Affairs, Strategic Initiative for Migrants and Refugees, Villanova University (she/her/hers)

  • Rocío Pulido, Sr. Program Manager, The Resurrection Project (she/her/hers)

Deferred Action for Labor Enforcement (DALE): Strengthening Workers’ Rights Through Partnerships Between Labor and Immigration Advocates

In 2023, the Biden Administration announced a new process for granting deferred action and work authorization to individuals whose employers were under investigation for labor violations. This panel will describe that new process, which involves inter-agency collaboration between DHS and the investigating labor agency. We will also examine various approaches that worker rights and immigration legal services organizations have taken to expand their capacity to support immigrant workers requesting “deferred action for labor enforcement” (DALE). These approaches include limited legal assistance clinics, navigator models, worker outreach, and partnerships with the private immigration bar and law school immigration clinics. The DALE program generated exciting new opportunities for partnership among labor unions, workers centers, and immigration legal services providers. Not only does DALE provide four years of protection against deportation and work authorization, it strengthens the power of workers to hold their employers accountable for labor abuses. While we do not anticipate the Trump Administration will continue the DALE program, panelists will share important lessons learned through the intersectional work of implementing this new form of prosecutorial discretion. Panelists will also share the changes they anticipate regarding the future of the program under the Trump Administration.
Moderator: Jessie Hahn, Senior Counsel, Labor & Employment Policy, National Immigration Law Center 

Speakers:

  • Lynn Damiano Pearson, Immigration Attorney, National Immigration Law Center 

  • Laura Garza, Worker Center Director, Arise Chicago 

  • Rachel Michah-Jones, Executive Director, Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Inc

Ready to Stay: Field Coordination to Meet the Legal Services, Screening & Protection Needs

Across the field, organizations have been at the forefront of implementing legal programs and expanding capacities to meet the immense immigration legal services needs. As we prepare for the new administration, coordination across the field to serve and protect our communities through legal services will be more important than ever. This session will dive into the work to implement new and long-standing immigration legal programs, deepen capacities for defensive and full immigration screening initiatives, and strengthen coordination across immigration legal service providers and advocates.

Speakers:

  • Sara Campos, Senior Program Officer, The Grove Foundation 

  • Ama Frimpong-Houser, Legal Director, CASA 

  • Allen Shao King, Senior Staff Attorney, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition 

  • Laura Vazquez, Associate Director, Immigrant Integration, UnidosUS

Strengthening & Growing Immigration Services: Models & Strategies from the Field during Times of Rapid Response
In an era marked by rapid shifts in immigration patterns, policies, and increasing numbers of new arrivals, the demand for effective, adaptive immigration services has never been more critical. This panel will explore innovative models and strategies to enhance immigration services, focusing on new arrival response efforts. This panel will share proven models and practical tools from multiple stakeholders — government agencies, legal service providers, and community organizations — demonstrating the power of collaboration and innovation, proving that together, we can build a more responsive and effective support system for immigrants facing the challenges of today’s rapidly changing landscape.
Speakers:

  • Bitta Mostofi, Senior Advisor to the Director, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (she/her/ella)

  • Jessica Cisneros, Managing Attorney, Texas Immigration Law Council, she/her/ella

  • Luis M. Gonzalez, Esq., Interim Co-Executive Director of Immigration Service, Legal Services, Jewish Family Service of San Diego (he/him)

  • Jane Lombardi, Senior Director, Immigrant Justice Partnerships, The Resurrection Project (she/her/ella)

  • Gillian Rowland-Kain, Legal Access Senior Program Manager, Immigrant ARC (she/her/ella)

DEFENDING OUR DEMOCRACY

On the heels of an historic election, this track will create space for reflection, analysis of our larger political context, and center the voices and perspectives of naturalized voters and other BIPOC communities. From field strategies and innovations to ways that organizations are creating a more inclusive and multiracial, multiethnic democracy, this track will provide tools that organizations can use to create civic engagement on ramps in their year-round efforts and ongoing work. 


A Diversifying Electorate: Reflections and Strategies for Base Building Beyond Elections  

During this session, national, state, and local organizations will dive into their key strategies and lessons learned mobilizing new voters during the 2024 Presidential Election. Collectively, we will discuss the need for deeper base building as the immigrant rights movement continues to build momentum to protect our communities, preserve democracy, and achieve immigrant justice. 

Moderator: Dr. Tom Wong, Director, US Immigration Policy Center at University of California, San Diego

Speakers: 

  • Sieng Lee, National Field Director, APIAVote  

  • Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Voces de la Frontera

  • Bert Bayou, Deputy Executive Director of Organizing and Membership, African Communities Together  

  • William Renderos, Director of Electoral Programs, CASA


Building Across Movements & Meeting the Moment
This session will uplift intersectionality across movements that have anchored core issues, built intersectional partnerships, and reflect on the recent election- lessons learned and struggles  that lie ahead. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of the fight for reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, Gaza and the uncommitted movement and where they intersect with the immigrant justice movement and together, define this moment in history.
Moderator: Becky Belcore, Co-Director, National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (she/her)

Speakers:

  • Allen Morris, Policy Director, The Task Force (he/his/gladiator)

  • Yasmine Taeb, Esq., Legislative and Political Director, MPower Change Action Fund, MPower Change (she/hers)

  • Joe Colon-Uvalles, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (he/him/el)


Ok Zoomer: Understanding & Mobilizing Gen Z In Digital and Physical Spaces

The case study will explore how to effectively mobilize the Gen Z vote, specifically among New Americans. The key questions this session will explore are:

  • What issues does Gen Z care about?

  • How engaged are they in their communities, elections, and policies?

  • How does Gen Z obtain information, particularly in the digital era?

  • How are they using social media to organize and mobilize?

Moderator: Lorenzita Santos, Regional Program Manager, New American Leaders

Speakers:

  • Munira Abdullahi, Ohio State Representative, District 9


Who Runs the World? New American Women in State Legislatures! 

Join New American Leaders for this exclusive discussion on the remarkable progress made by New American Women legislators between 2022 and 2024. A key finding from NAL’s 2024 State of Representation Report found that New American women now outnumber men in state legislatures for the first time ever, marking a significant shift in political representation. The panel discussion will explore how we got here, the ongoing barriers for women leaders, and the path ahead to achieve a truly representative democracy. 

Moderator: Ghida Dagher, CEO & President, New American Leaders

Speakers:

  • Stephanie Chang, Michigan State Senator, District 3

  • Shana Hardin, NAL Research Fellow, New American Leaders

  • Johanna López, Florida House of Representatives, District 43 (Invited)

  • Brittney Miller, Nevada State Assemblywoman (Invited)

  • Reena Szczepanski, New Mexico State Representative, District 47 (Invited)



Building Our Texas: How Texas Youth are Shaping a Better Future

According to the Center For Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University, in the South, Youth of Color are 51% of newly eligible voters since 2020. While the 2024 elections have concluded; Gen Z’s civic engagement does not end at the ballot box. Gen Z has the power to sway not only elections but to change the results of the legislative session. In states like Texas, election day marks the beginning of the “off-season” and a shift in resources and capacity to advocate in the state legislature. 

From education to mental health access to public safety- Gen Z Texans are at the forefront of advocating for policies that affect immigrant communities. This session will explore how Gen Z Texans are mobilizing their peers, engaging with policymakers, and driving legislative priorities that address the needs of their communities. 

Moderator: Somprathana Akeela Kongdara, Youth Engagement & Volunteer Senior Associate, Asian Texans for Justice (she/her)

Speakers:

  • Maha Chistey, Emgage Texas

  • Sophie Kaloustian, JOLT Texas

  • Madeline Medrano, Alief Votes

  • Rujala Nepal, Asian Texans for Justice, ATJ Advocate

  • Joslynn Sanchez, Deeds Not Words, Policy and Advocacy Manager (she/her/ella)

ECONOMIC IMPACTS & SHARED PROSPERITY

This track will explore strategies, challenges, and opportunities that immigrants and refugees face in achieving economic stability, mobility and shared prosperity By fostering collaboration between governments, NGOs, and community stakeholders, this track will highlight innovative strategies and solutions to ensure inclusive growth and sustainable futures for all immigrant and refugee individuals. The sessions will discuss the critical role of advocates, organizers, and immigrant & refugee-led initiatives in advancing equitable outcomes. Attendees will gain valuable insights into strategies for fostering economic inclusion, addressing housing obstacles, increasing civic engagement participation, and building an inclusive workforce. Participants will leave with practical tools and strategies to advocate for immigrant & refugee communities at the federal, state, and local levels.


A Home for All: Housing Obstacles and Solutions for Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Other Newcomers

Over the last four years, advocates for affordable housing and for refugees and asylum seekers have come together to push for new solutions to meet a pressing need for housing at a time of rising rents, rising homelessness, and troubled shelter systems. The resettlement of thousands of Afghans, the arrival of asylum seekers to cities, and the sponsorship of hundreds of thousands of parolees raised different challenges. During the 2024 election season, immigrants were blamed for the country’s housing shortage and the next president has vowed to use immigration enforcement as a policy solution. This panel will ask: What are some examples of promising state and local policies and best practices, including by private developers and through public-private partnerships, that have expanded available housing for newcomers? What are the greatest housing needs for newcomers and anticipated challenges in the coming year? What are some of the ways that advocates have and can productively work at the local and state levels to address these needs and challenges?  What further opportunities are there for collaboration between advocates for new arrivals and community housing advocates to work together especially in the difficult coming months ahead?

Moderator: Yael Schacher, Ph.D., Director for the Americas and Europe, Refugees International

Speakers:

  • Emily Goodman, Housing Campaign Senior Manager, East Colfax Community Collective (she/her)

  • Melissa Hue, Director, Office of Economic Opportunity, City of Portland, ME (she/her)

  • Selena Sherzad, Housing Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, Church World Service (she/her)

  • Mamadou Sy, Chief Operating Officer, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (he/him)

  • Guadalupe Tello, MSW, Sr. Manager, Immigration & Citizenship Program, Baker Ripley (she/her)


Organizing Labor Movements: The Role of Unions to Empower Immigrants and Refugees 

Immigrant labor is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy, driving growth and innovation across various industries. However, these workers often face exploitation, with their labor used to keep wages and overall operating costs low. This panel will explore the critical role that unions can play in organizing immigrant and refugee workers to harness their collective power to advocate for justice and fairness in the workplace, increased wages and safe working conditions.  Additionally, we will discuss how federal programs, and state legislation have helped to mobilize and protect immigrant workers. Join us for this insightful discussion on what the future may hold for immigrant workers and the unions that support them against the backdrop of the evolving U.S. political landscape.

Moderator: Monica Vargas-Huertas, Esq., Assistant Director for Civil Rights Initiatives, UFCW International Union (she/her)

Speakers:

  • Angel Castillo, Organizing Director, UNITE HERE Local 1 Chicago

  • Elsa Flores, President, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Texas 

  • Diana Saguilan, Deputy Campaign Director, Agricultural Workers United-NY

  • Maite Tapia, Ph.D., Associate Professor of the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations at Michigan State University and Review Editor of ILR Workers Institute at Cornell University


Promoting Economic and Financial Inclusion for Immigrant Families

This session will explore how programs and policies can significantly promote economic and financial inclusion for immigrant families in the country. Through the lens of successful initiatives by organizations such as the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) and Mission Asset Fund (MAF), we’ll discuss the importance of cross-sector partnerships, innovative financial solutions, and the opportunities and challenges in expanding these programs

Moderator: Joanna Cortez Hernandez, Chief Innovation Officer, Mission Asset Fund

Speakers:  

  • Stephanie Bonin, Senior Strategist, Economic Security Project 

  • Sonia Lin, Senior Fellow, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

  • Valeria Paz Reyes, Manager of Organizing and Strategy, New York Immigration Coalition 

  • Richard Whipple, Deputy Director, Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs, City & County of San Francisco


The Role of Offices of New Americans (ONA) in Creating an Inclusive Workforce and Boosting Economic Development

State and local efforts lay the groundwork for nationwide reform by testing innovative policies and generating momentum for broader implementation of inclusion initiatives. One such welcoming initiative that has been increasingly adopted are Offices of New Americans (ONAs) with 18 state offices as of mid-2024, many more local offices, and ongoing advocacy for more. ONAs play a critical role in designing and implementing programs and policies to better support immigrants and refugees' civic, economic, and social inclusion. This includes a range of initiatives such as workforce development programs for immigrants and refugees to restart their careers, legislation for international medical graduates to once more practice medicine in the U.S., and other model programs and policies that could be replicated at the federal, state, and local levels. These offices lean on national networks and other resources to accomplish these initiatives.

In this session, participants will hear from advocates and their efforts to support ONAs, state, and local ONAs about their programming and policy achievements to support the workforce and economic inclusion of immigrants and refugees, and national partners who support these offices and develop tools and resources for communities interested in creating an ONA or developing inclusion initiatives. 

Moderator: Rich André, Director, State & Local Initiatives, American Immigration Council

Speakers:

  • Dee Daniels Scriven, Director, Colorado Office of New Americans

  • Amy Grunder, Director, State Government Affairs, Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition  

  • Krystal S. Reyes, Chief Resilience Officer, City of Tulsa Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Equity

  • Mikaela Santos, Senior Program Manager, State & Local Strategic Initiatives, World Education Services

HEALTHCARE IS A HUMAN RIGHT 

Access to quality, affordable healthcare is an ongoing challenge for millions across the U.S., and immigrant communities often face additional barriers to healthcare due to restrictions encased in federal and state policies. Immigrant rights organizations are at the forefront of advocacy efforts to expand access to healthcare policies, elevate and address mental health challenges and win resources that invest in the health and well-being of immigrant and refugee communities. The sessions throughout this track will cover a range of topics, including access to healthcare and opportunities for immigrants; insights into immigrant mental health and possible policy solutions; reproductive justice and strategies for progress; and fostering connections to better understand the experiences of LGBTQ immigrant youth.

Dignity in Health: Building Bridges for LGBTQ+ Youth Access
LGBTQ+ youth face unique challenges to accessing healthcare including barriers to medical insurance coverage and public benefits, higher risk of displacement, labor exploitation. Black, Indigenous and trans youth are even less likely to access the health services they need. LGBTQ+ immigrants also experience discrimination on their journeys to the U.S., within the immigration system, and as they acclimate to their new host communities where statehouses are considering an unprecedentedly high number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills.

What strategies and resources can we employ to expand access to safe spaces and affirming healthcare for LGBTQ+ immigrant youth?  What lessons can we learn from LGBTQ+ youth and cross-movement leaders to preserve soft spaces for youth to land? How can we leverage our strengths and resources to change the tide and promote equitable policies for LGBTQ+ youth?

Join us in a conversation with the Young Center, National LGBTQ+ Task Force, Tahirih Justice Center and Tony’s Place about what changes loom on the horizon and our collective responsibility to not only hold the line for LGBTQ+ youth but change the playing field entirely. We will discuss roadmaps that advocates, policymakers and funders can follow towards creating safer, more resilient sanctuaries for LGBTQ immigrant youth.

Moderator: Abena Hutchful, Policy and Litigation Attorney, Young Center (she/her)

Speakers:

  • Alexis Bay, Health Justice Fellow, Young Center (they/them)

  • Allen Morris, Policy Director, National LGBTQ+ Task Force (he/him)

  • Archi Pyati, CEO, Tahirih Justice Center (she/her)

  • Carrie Rai, Executive Director of Tony’s Place (she/her)


HEALing the Future: Reproductive Justice, Health Equity, and Building a Path Forward!
This is a time to reflect upon almost a decade of advocacy, fighting to ensure all immigrants have access to the health care they need, with policies that support the intergenerational health and wellbeing of immigrant communities. Since the Health Equity and Access under the Law (HEAL) for Immigrant Families Act was introduced 10 years ago in the 113th Congress, we have steadily built power around a legislative agenda that is now one of the most progressive policy solutions to support health equity for immigrant communities. Through eliminating barriers to federal health programs based solely on immigration status, the HEAL Act would ensure affordable access to health care coverage for all immigrants, while centering the needs of BIPOC and undocumented immigrants. Policies like the HEAL Act are critical in increasing access to reproductive health services in immigrant communities, and ensuring that immigrant women, girls, and gender non-conforming people are not left behind in the pursuit of reproductive justice. In this presentation, we will reflect on our successes, do a live SWOT of this movement, and discuss our goals, strategies, and dreams for the future.
Speakers:

  • Lucie Arvallo, Executive Director, Jane’s Due Process

  • Sydelle Barreto, Policy Manager, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum

  • Katherine Olivera, Director of Government Relations, Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice 


Immigrant Access to Healthcare: The Good, the Bad, and the Opportunities
Immigrants face a number of challenges in accessing federal and state programs designed to support the health and well-being of low-income families, from systemic and cultural barriers to lack of accurate information and deep-seated fears of adverse immigration consequences. While incremental gains at the federal level have increased access to health coverage for some immigrants, many remain excluded and unable to access critical care. This session will discuss the latest progress on immigrant access to health coverage at the federal level, the barriers that continue to limit access for immigrants, and opportunities at both the state and federal levels to expand access to health coverage for immigrants.
Moderator:

  • Esther Reyes, Campaign Strategist, Protecting Immigrant Families (she/her/ella)

Speakers:

  • Carlyn Cowen, Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Chinese-American Planning Council

  • Ben D’Avanzo, Senior Health Policy Strategist, National Immigration Law Center

  • Maricela Delcid, Community Health Worker, Benefits Assistance Team Leader, ECHOS Houston

  • Tovia Siegel, Director of Organizing & Leadership, Immigrant Justice, The Resurrection Project (she/her/ella)


Understanding Immigrant Mental Health: Perspectives and Policy
This session will focus on the importance of immigrant mental health. Panelists will discuss how immigrant mental health care needs a different approach, including efforts to build a national strategy. Panelists will discuss barriers to help-seeking, community-driven solutions, and best practices that are already in place, including community-based policy and program practices in California, Illinois, Michigan, and Texas, and strategies to address health inequities through data collection and analysis. The discussion will additionally cover how immigrant communities describe mental health and well-being, strategies to strengthen health care coverage, mental health workforce challenges, service delivery innovations, and how to address mental health inequities. Session panelists will additionally discuss how to support mental health via local, state, federal policies and programs across different ethnicities, geographies, and backgrounds, given the results of the 2024 presidential election.

Moderator: Isha Weerasinghe, Associate Director, Mental Health & Well Being, Center For Law and Social Policy 

Speakers:

  • Dr. Aimee Hilado, Chairperson, Coalition for Immigrant Mental Health Chicago. Assistant Professor, University of ChicagoCrown Family School of Social Work, Policy, & Practice

  • Sara Ismail, Policy Manager, ACCESS MI 

  • Parisa Mahmud, Community Education Advocate, Asian Family Support Services of Austin

  • Dr. Supriya Misra, Assistant Professor of Public Health, San Francisco State University

IMMIGRANTS ON THE FRONTLINES OF THE CLIMATE CRISIS

Immigrant communities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis and on the frontlines of climate solutions. Climate change is rapidly becoming one of the leading causes of displacement, both internally and across borders. In the United States, immigrant and refugee communities are some of those most vulnerable to displacement from extreme weather and climate impacts, and largely excluded from state and federal recovery efforts. At the same time, efforts and investment to tackle the climate crisis present a unique opportunity for prosperity and inclusion through the emerging clean energy economy. The Climate Justice track will explore the unique challenges and impacts that immigrant communities face from the climate crisis and highlight case studies and strategies for how immigrant advocates are responding to the crisis by building resiliency, creating new pathways for prosperity, and harnessing new tools to protect displaced people.

This track will feature workshops and presentations from a mix of frontline leaders, advocates, and legal practitioners. Sessions in this track will cover a range of intersections between climate and immigrant justice, including how immigrant advocates can build power while responding to climate disasters, like last year’s tragic Lahaina fires, strategies for drawing down and influencing federal funding from new climate and infrastructure legislation  as well as existing legal and organizing strategies for protecting climate displaced people. 


Climate Displacement and Migration: Dispelling Myths and Proposing Solutions 

Climate change is rapidly being recognized as a leading driver of global displacement. But the role it plays in cross-border migration is often misunderstood, and the complex and personal stories of climate displaced people are too often overshadowed by sensational speculations and projections. This workshop will bring together organizers, policy advocates and legal experts to share recent research into the complex role climate change plays accelerating well-known drivers of migration, dispel common myths and harmful narratives that pervade the discussion, and present a rights-based framework for climate displaced people rooted in the right to stay and the right to leave when staying is impossible. 

Speakers:

  • Juanita Cabrera Lopez, Executive Director, Mayan League (she/her) 

  • Adrián Martinez, Director, La Ruta Del Clima (he/him)

  • Patience Nji Mugah, Development Associate, Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (she/her) 

  • Helena Olea, Deputy Director for Programs, Alianza Americas (she/her)

  • Brandon Wu, Director of Policy and Campaigns, Action Aid (he/him) 

Fighting for Immigrant Inclusion in Disaster Response and Climate Resilience 

Immigrant and Refugee communities in the United States are increasingly on the frontlines of extreme weather and climate disasters. But from preparation to recovery, our communities are often overlooked and excluded from official efforts. But as climate change intensifies, immigrant and refugee leaders are organizing to ensure our communities are protected and build power for structural change. This workshop will feature leaders from local and national campaigns arising out of disasters, including 2023's devastating Lahaina fires and this year's spate of extreme weather here in Houston. Panelists will discuss strategies for empowering and supporting immigrant, migrant and LEP populations before, during, and after disasters, with a focus on advocacy efforts, policy recommendations and best practices for resilience and powerbuilding out of these moments.
Moderator: Vladimir Carrasco, Director of Climate Justice, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights - Los Angeles (he/him)

Speakers:

  • Vivian Huang, Co-Director, Asian Pacific Environmental Network (she/her) 

  • Liza Ryan Gill, Executive Director, Hawai’i Coalition for Immigrant Rights (she/her)

  • Sara Syed, Organizing Manager, Woori Juntos (she/her)

Immigrants and Refugees Leading the Just Transition to Clean Energy
In communities across the United States, the transition to a clean energy economy is underway. Currently, immigrant and refugee communities are more underrepresented in these new sectors than the economy at large. Through policies like the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, hundreds of billions of dollars flow from federal, state, and local governments into this transition. Looking ahead to a new administration, this session will address what investments, strategies, and models can still be made at the local and state levels that will create new pathways to prosperity for immigrant and refugee communities. Hear from speakers about innovative models and strategies immigrant advocates can use to bring state and local investments in a just transition to our communities through workforce development programs, home energy improvements, improved public transportation, climate resilience, and more!

Moderator: Odalis Perales, Policy Researcher and Coalition Coordinator, Michigan United (she/her)

Speakers:

  • Sylvia Chi, Senior Policy Analyst, Just Solutions Collective (she/they)

  • Marcela Diaz, Founding Executive Director, Somos Un Pueblo Unido (she/her)

  • Ulla Nilsen, Lead Organizer, Climate & Equity, UnidosMN (she/her)

  • Felix Rodriguez, Just Transition Field Organizer, Somos Un Pueblo Unido (he/him)

Seeking Asylum in a Time of Climate Change
An estimated 90% of the world’s refugees come from the countries most vulnerable to, and least prepared for, the impacts of climate change. The unfolding climate crisis is therefore inextricably linked to refugee protection. And yet, there is currently no comprehensive international legal framework to meet the need. Existing systems can and must be leveraged—but how? This session will provide an introduction to climate-related human displacement and discuss U.S. asylum claims involving climate change and environmental disasters, including both rapid-onset events (e.g., hurricanes) and slower-onset events (e.g., prolonged droughts). Recognizing that individuals must often flee for multiple reasons, this session will analyze how climate-related harms may interact with other forms of persecution and marginalization in establishing asylum claims in the U.S. The panel will center real-world stories of individuals impacted by climate change and offer recommendations and resources for advocates to engage with the subject further. This session is designed to be accessible to all and requires no legal training or special background knowledge. While the panelists will engage with legal topics, we encourage all to attend regardless of their level of familiarity with climate-related migration.
Speakers:

  • Ann Garcia, Staff Attorney, NIPNLG / National Immigration Project (she/they)

  • Peter Habib, Equal Justice Works Fellow, Center for Gender and Refugee Studies (he/him)

  • José Miranda, Senior Staff Attorney, International Refugee Assistance Project (he/him)

NARRATIVE & CULTURAL INTERVENTIONS

The most impactful social movements in our nation’s history have been commemorated through art, and influenced culture and narrative in the shift toward progress. This track will bring us into the modern day movement for immigrant justice and provide a deep dive into ways that organizations, artists, community members and influencers are making their mark to define this era. In this track participants will explore concepts such as the power of oral history methodologies, art forms in digital and traditional spaces, local to national narrative projects and how we can use our culture to inspire connection, reject assimilation and propel our vision of thriving immigrant communities across the country.  

Digital Communications: Overcoming the Algorithm and the Price Tag of Communicating to Stand up for our Communities
In the wake of the 2024 Presidential Election, social media platforms proved to play a pivotal role in shaping narratives to the detriment of our communities. This session delves into the dual-edged sword of social media: how it can both elevate and suppress voices through algorithmic bias, restrictions on political content, and the spread of misinformation. We’ll explore strategies for building hybrid offline/online organizing to break free from echo chambers, address the rise of misinformation (particularly in languages other than English), and develop ways to convert digital energy into real-world action. Join us as we discuss how to navigate these challenges, uplift trusted community messengers, and empower our communities to stand strong against the odds stacked by social media giants.
Moderator: Sharon Njie, Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants, Communication and Strategic Partnerships Director

Speakers: 

  • Renata Bozzetto, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Deputy Director

  • Elizabeth Rodriguez, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Digital Content Creator

  • Alma Couverthie, League of Women Voters, Chief of Programs

  • Juan Escalante, FWD.US

New Narratives, New Futures: Using Narrative Change for Immigrant Justice 

A future where all immigrants and refugees have dignity, respect, and the potential to flourish is possible. In our way are the dominant narratives that scapegoat and criminalize people seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Charlie Sherman and Britney Vongdara from the Opportunity Agenda, and Su Patel from New York Immigration Coalition, will be presenting an introduction to Narrative Change. This session will show how organizations can use a narrative change approach to achieve compelling and long-term success in their communications work. We will define what narratives are, explore how they can be changed, and tools to adjust our work towards a long-term narrative vision. We will provide real examples of collaborative narrative change work done between TOA and NYIC, including a recent public art campaign called Immigrants Are New York. Attendees will walk away with tangible skills in how to understand and effectively challenge harmful narratives, while uplifting those that center their community. 

Speakers:

  • Suvasini Patel, Vice President of Communications and Strategy, New York Immigration Coalition 

  • Charles Sherman, Manager of Narrative Strategy, The Opportunity Agenda


Reclaiming the Digital Narrative: Collective Immigration Storytelling

Description: How do we turn big audience research into digital narrative change strategies? Join Define American and the Tides Foundation along with partner organizations from the Immigrants Belong (I-Belong) initiative, including the Justice Action Center, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Coalition, and the Florida Immigrant Coalition. We will present a behind-the-scenes look of our collaborative work targeting moveable middle audiences nationally. Using media research to map audience engagement and create tailored media campaigns, we co-produced influencer-led narrative strategies in a tough election year.

Moderator: Shauna Siggelkow, Vice President, Define American, she/her/hers 

Speakers:

  • Renata Bozzetto, Deputy Director, Florida Immigrant Coalition (she/her/hers) 

  • Emily Baird-Chrisohon, Narrative & Engagement Manager, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (she/her/hers) 

  • Tasha Moro, Communications Director, Justice Action Center (she/her/hers) 

  • Paola Kim, Philanthropic Advisor, Tides Foundation, (she/her/hers)


Transformative Arts, Culture & Storytelling Strategies for Impact
This panel will explore how these mediums can be powerful tools for community engagement and empowerment. The session will showcase innovative projects from diverse artists and strategists that connect people through public art installations that foster a sense of belonging to organizing cultural events that celebrate diversity and history. You'll also learn about oral history methodologies to document immigrant and refugee stories, developing multimedia books and exhibits, and fostering empathy and connection through interactive games. Participants will come away with practical strategies for making a lasting impact in your organization and community by incorporating the arts.
Moderator: Carlos E. Alemán, Ph.D, Chief Executive Officer, Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama

Speakers:

  • Mirabel Fonyuy Umenei, Founder & CEO at Motherland Cultural Connections (she/her/hers)

  • Edwin Gil, Chief Development Officer at Latin American Collective (he/him/his)

  • Paul Rowan, Associate Professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Advisor at CHAT (he/him/his)

  • Tea Rozman, Co Leader, Programs and Partnership at Green Card Voices (she/her/hers)

PRESERVING EDUCATION & LANGUAGE ACCESS 

With more than 25 million Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals across the country, language and education barriers continue to prevent immigrant and refugee communities from accessing critical services and information, denying their civil right to full inclusion. This track will delve into the emerging efforts, challenges, strategies, and innovative solutions to bridge these gaps for our communities across the country. Attendees will gain valuable insights from a combination of local, state, and federal leaders, expert advocates, and directly impacted individuals. Sessions will spotlight innovative models, approaches, and scenario planning through the lens of language access and digital inclusion strategies, the role of immigrant and refugee education through service-to-organizing models, and workforce-focused language upskilling.

Digital Inclusion Strategies for Immigrant and Refugee Communities
The digital world of today intersects with every aspect of immigrants’ and refugees’ lives, including language access and learning. With the continued federal spotlight on digital equity and inclusion, this session will explore innovative, culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies to ensure digital inclusion for immigrants and refugees. Join this panel to learn from experts from across the country on bilingual digital skills programming, multilingual digital navigation, website accessibility, and artificial intelligence in language access.

Speakers:

  • Skye Downing, Programs & Partnership Director, Community Tech Network (she/her)

  • Andrés Echeverri, President and CEO, ACSI Translations (he/him)

  • Catalina Gonzalez, Senior Technical Advisor, World Education (she/her)

  • Kaori Hirakawa, CEO, One Language (she/her)

  • Luis Quiñones, Deputy Vice President of Workforce Development and Adult Education, UnidosUS (he/him)


Exploring the Role of Immigrant and Refugee Adult Education through Service-to-Organizing Models

Immigrant adult learners are eager to develop their English skills to access economic opportunities, build confidence, and fully participate in public life. Yet demand for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes far surpasses availability, and standard programs are often inaccessible to those with the greatest need. Nationally, adult education programs meet less than 4% of the need (Migration Policy Institute 2018), and most programs that rely on federal dollars are limited in scope due to a strict focus on testing and college and career pathways while reducing other content for immigrant inclusion. In this session, you will hear from programs that fall outside the formal adult education system to address systemic barriers adult learners (specifically parents & working adults) face while fostering community, language justice, and civic action among participants. 

*This session will feature Spanish interpretation*

Moderator: Marisa Parshotam, English Innovations Program Manager, OneAmerica (she/her)

Speakers:

  • Sandra Fish Mathurin, Director of Services, Florida Immigrant Coalition (elle, li)

  • Federico Salas-Isnardi, Director, City of Houston Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy (he/him)

  • Cris Vazquez, English Innovations Coach, OneAmerica (she/her)

Language Access + English Upskilling = Pathways to Workforce Opportunity

Language access and English upskilling are two sides of the same coin: Each opens workforce opportunities for English learners, a fast-growing, high-potential talent pool that represents 1 in 10 working-age adults in the U.S. When taken together, these strategies have the potential to transform local communities and workforces. Language access embraces the multilingualism that is consistently linked to innovation, creativity and problem-solving, while English and workforce upskilling equips learners with career-aligned skills–including English skills– that advance communication, safety, and career mobility. Yet this work is often siloed at best, managed by different departments, agencies, or organizations in uncoordinated strategies. Leaders struggle with where to start in advancing either strategy, citing limited capacity or resources. It’s time to build integrated, at-scale approaches to championing workers from multilingual backgrounds. Join experts in workplace-based learning, capacity-building for internationally trained professionals, and adult education to learn how to do this impactful work at-scale in 2025 and beyond. A brief introductory panel will equip you with best practices in building effective programs that champion multilingual talent, followed by an interactive breakout session where you’ll help design an cross-sector, ecosystem approach to supporting and promoting multilingual workers. Although language access, English upskilling and workforce development activities will be taking place within a very different context in 2025, this critical work must continue to support economic security and opportunity for all. We hope to explore strategies to expand impact and advocate for immigrant and refugee populations within an unclear future and changing funding constraints/priorities.

Moderator: Katie Brown, Chief Education Officer, EnGen

Speakers:

  • Anthony Cherwinski, Global Talent Administrator, Office of New Americans, Colorado

  • Joanne Michaud, Partnership Development Manager. Education Ecosystem, Upwardly Global

  • Monica Stansberry, Senior Director, Adult & Youth Learning, Dallas College, Workforce Education


Language Access Strategies for Civic Inclusion: Highlighting Approaches to Meaningful Access in Texas
Texas is diverse. 34.9% of Texans speak a language other than English at home. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 commits governments to providing meaningful access to linguistically diverse communities. Meaningful access includes the ability to be engaged, to participate in decision-making, and to be civic leaders. Join Language Access professionals and advocates from Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston for a conversation about fostering civic inclusion of those with limited English. Attendees will explore language access strategies through a case study and plan together for inclusive public participation that supports leadership from linguistically diverse residents.

*This session will feature Spanish interpretation*

Speakers:

  • Houmma Garba, Language Access and Community Engagement Consultant, City of Austin (she/her)

  • Hyunja Norman, Director, Woori Juntos (she/her)

  • Adriana Portillo, Language Access Coordinator, City of Dallas (she/her)

  • Emily Yaffe, Language Access Manager, City of San Antonio (she/her)

Protecting Language Access: Understanding Federal Strategies, Local Impact, and Opportunities for Expansion

In this dynamic session, we’ll explore the complexities of expanding language access in a changing political landscape. This session will discuss the role of DOJ and other federal entities, challenges in implementing language access plans and policies, and opportunities for expansion through strategy and advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels. Attendees will gain insights and practical tools, to protect and expand language access in their communities in a post-election landscape

*This session will feature Spanish interpretation*
Moderator: Melissa Holguín Pineda, Programs Manager, Inclusion Initiatives, National Partnership for New Americans (she/her)

Speakers:

  • Adam Carbullido, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (he/him)

  • Jenna Grambort, Trial Attorney, Federal Coordination and Compliance Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Dept. of Justice (she/her)

  • Jake Hofstetter, Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Institute’s National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy (he/him)

  • Jodie Stanley, International Services and Language Access Coordinator, City of Greensboro, NC (she/her)

PROTECTING ASYLUM, RESETTLEMENT & HUMAN RIGHTS 

This track will continue to take a comprehensive approach to our collective advocacy, focusing on safeguarding and re-envisioning refugee resettlement, the U.S. immigration system, and protection infrastructures amid heightened threats to immigrant rights. This year, we will critically engage with the new and intensified barriers forcibly displaced people face when seeking refuge in the United States, highlighting the shifting landscape of migration patterns and increasingly restrictive policies.

Through an intersectional lens, this track will explore community organizing efforts addressing the root causes of migration and the complex identities within displaced diasporas. We will underscore the importance of solidarity across forcibly displaced populations and the critical need for equity-centered resettlement initiatives. Utilizing anti-racist, anti-classist, and anti-ableist frameworks, we aim to dismantle systemic barriers, particularly those contributing to anti-Blackness and the unequal treatment of LGBTQIA+ and disabled individuals.

Sessions will spotlight emerging state and local policies that offer innovative approaches to resettlement, even in times of policy-induced crisis. Our sessions will serve as a crucial platform for strategizing how to build more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable systems to support displaced individuals in their pursuit of safety, dignity, and opportunity amidst an increasingly challenging political landscape.

Building Coalition Within and Beyond the Immigrants’ Rights Movement

Our panel, “Building Coalition Within and Beyond the Immigrants’ Rights Movement,” will focus on asking immigrants’ rights organizations how they are recruiting and organizing other stakeholders and answering the question: How do we expand our movement and who will fight alongside asylum seekers and immigrants with unstable immigration status in years to come? This panel will include the perspectives of directly impacted individuals, reflect on the work of refugee and immigrant organizers, and those who are working with allies in the labor movement, local and state governments, and the business community. This will be an engaging and interactive conversation about building bridges across communities, intersectionality, and how different sectors can create a more welcoming and inclusive United States.


Moderator: Conchita Cruz, Co-Executive Director, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project 

Speakers:

  • Linda, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project 

  • Steven Choi, Advisor and Consultant, Ellis Island Initiative 

  • Victoria Francis, Deputy Director of State and Local Initiatives, American Immigration Council 

  • Rachel Micah-Jones, Executive Director, Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Inc.

  • Rovika Rajkishun, Advisor and Consultant, Ellis Island Initiative 

  • Nejra Sumic, Senior National Field Manager, We Are All America 


Framework for Coordinated National Reception System
The increase in arrivals at the US-Mexico border in 2022 and 2023 exposed the longstanding need for a comprehensive framework for reception of asylum seekers. For decades, grassroots organizations, faith-based groups, nonprofits, and local governments have provided the first line of response to meet humanitarian needs of new arrivals. But, the U.S. lacks a comprehensive framework for such a system.  

A coordinated national reception system is essential for ensuring safe, humane, and rights-respecting processes for people seeking refuge. It lays the groundwork for the long-term social and economic inclusion of displaced individuals, promotes responsibility-sharing, addresses labor shortages, and optimizes government resources.

In this session, we’ll explore the role of local organizations  who have developed coordinated responses, both at the U.S.-Mexico border and across the country. Panelists will share best practices, followed by Q&A to discuss reception models and policy advocacy strategies to continue working toward a protection-centered national reception system.

Moderator: Edith Tapia, Technical Advisor for Cross Border & Asylum, International Rescue Committee

Speakers:

  • Adama Bah, Executive Director and Founder, Afrikana

  • Imane Mabrouk, NYC Newcomer Navigator, National Partnership for New Americans

  • Niurka Meléndez, Founder and Director, Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid

  • Rafael Velasquez, Mexico Country Director, International Rescue Committee

  • Danilo Zak, Director of Policy, Church World Service


From Margins to Mainstream: Analyzing Refugee Inclusion in Domestic and Global Displacement Solutions
By the end of 2023, the number of forcibly displaced people reached 114 million (UN), and this is expected to rise due to ongoing crises. Only about 1% of refugees are resettled annually (UNHCR, 2020). Efforts to create durable solutions have fallen short, with limited engagement of refugees in decision-making. The 2019 Global Refugee Forum aimed to change this by encouraging investment in refugee-led engagement.

This roundtable, hosted by the International Refugee Assistance Project, Refugee Congress, We Are All America, and the U.S. Refugee Advisory Board, will explore strategies to centralize the involvement of forcibly displaced people globally. We will discuss challenges, best practices, and frameworks for inclusion, focusing on how to improve partnerships with refugee-led organizations and ensure meaningful engagement in policy and community planning.

Moderator: Anahita Panahi, Deputy Director of Refugee Affairs, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)

Speakers:

  • Lourena Gboeah, Chair of the Board, Refugee Congress

  • Bahati Kanyamanza, Global Partnerships Director, International Refugee Assistance Project 

  • Ayda Zugay, Board Member, United States Refugee Advisory Board

Harnessing Community Power: Complimentary Pathways and Family Reunification Programs
As we navigate a new political climate, the challenges ahead demand even greater resilience and innovation. Community-led sponsorship programs, complementary pathways, and family reunification efforts have become critical tools in countering restrictive policies and preserving the U.S.'s tradition of welcoming newcomers.

Since 2021, transformative models have harnessed the power of local partnerships, grassroots movements, and diaspora communities, proving that collective action can thrive even in the face of adversity. These initiatives have not only expanded access to resettlement opportunities but have also built a strong foundation for long-term community-driven advocacy.

In this session, we will address the evolving landscape of refugee resettlement and family reunification, focusing on how to adapt and sustain these efforts in a more challenging environment. You’ll hear from leaders working on the frontlines of these programs, gain insights into their successes and obstacles, and discuss actionable strategies to strengthen community sponsorship in the years ahead.

Moderator: Ally Ntumba, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Patchwork Indy

Speakers:

  • Diya Abdo, Executive Director, Every Campus A Refuge

  • Una Bilic, Deputy Director, New Resettlement Pathways, International Rescue Committee

  • Annie Nolte-Henning, Executive Director, Community Sponsorship Hub

  • Sunil Varghese, Policy Director, International Refugee Assistance Project


Welcoming Asylum Seekers: Innovative Approaches in a New Era

As global forced migration continues surging to unprecedented levels, recent U.S. policies threaten to restrict asylum access, undermining fundamental humanitarian values. With the incoming administration intensifying anti-immigrant rhetoric, local governments, municipalities, and nonprofits are mobilizing to safeguard essential services for asylum seekers—such as housing, food, shelter, and legal support—despite limited resources and anticipated federal opposition in 2025.

This session will bring together leaders from local governments and community organizations on the front lines of newcomer reception, sharing innovative approaches to coalition-building and service delivery in an increasingly hostile environment. Participants will explore how local actors are navigating restricted funds and expected limited federal support while ensuring a compassionate and dignified response to asylum seekers. The panel will emphasize the critical role of civil society and local resilience in defending human rights and preserving safe havens for newcomers in the U.S. 


Moderator: Ana Ortega Villegas, Program Director, Mobile Pathways 

Speakers:

  • Chris Baca, Director of Humanitarian Response & Migrant Assistance, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) 

  • Stephanie Blackman, Migrant Services Coordinator, El Paso County

  • Mufalo Chitam, Executive Director,  Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition (MIRC)

  • Esmeralda Flores, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)

  • Nneka Obasi, Senior Community Liaison, City of Chicago

STRATEGIES TO DEFEND FULL CITIZENSHIP   

This track will focus on strategies to enhance full citizenship and ensure that all communities have equal access to legal protections and representation at every level. We'll tackle pressing challenges, including federal and local immigration policies to protect our communities, while spotlighting success stories of empowerment through advocacy and community leadership. This session will focus on empowering new citizens to not only exercise their right to vote but also encourage participation in the census and foster broader civic engagement.

Participants will gain valuable tools, insights, and knowledge to advocate for the civic inclusion of all immigrants and refugees. We'll also explore the ongoing fight to secure a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants under a hostile administration, and ensuring protection for existing pathways. 

Citizenship Models and Effective Strategies to Advance Naturalization

In this session we will have participants engage in discussions on various citizenship models, analyzing the impact on immigrant communities and individuals seeking naturalization. Speakers from philanthropy, community based organizations, legal practitioners, and advocates will focus on the latest developments on naturalization, innovative partnerships, and outreach strategies to mobilize and reach the eligible-to-naturalize population across our communities under a new administration.

Moderator: Angie Dupree, Citizenship Coordinator, NPNA

Speakers:

  • Pablo Blank, Director, Immigrant Integration, CASA

  • Alejandra Cajero, Texas Program Manager, Mi Familia en Accion

  • Sandra Fish Mathurin, Director of Services, Florida Immigrant Coalition  

  • Adrian Izaguirre, Interim Texas Director of Civic Engagement, NALEO Education Fund

  • Gislaine Williams, Program Officer, Civic Engagement, Houston Endowment


Preparing for the Next Administration: Protecting Access to Naturalization Through Federal and Local Immigration Policies
This session will explore how federal and local immigration policies can be used to broaden and protect access to naturalization as we prepare for the next administration. We will discuss strategies to reduce barriers to naturalization and highlight the importance of civic engagement in creating pathways to citizenship. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how local, state, and federal collaboration can enhance access to naturalization, and how both individual and organizational efforts can play a key role in this process. The session will also focus on legislative and appropriations strategies, the critical roles of cities, counties, and states, and how local initiatives can drive broader federal advocacy. Through this discussion, we will outline practical steps for engaging communities and stakeholders to promote naturalization and civic participation, ensuring that everyone can fully participate in the civic process and access the path to citizenship.
Moderator: Bonnie Stern Wasser, Staff Attorney, OneAmerica

Speakers:

  • Ben Brokaw, NAC Associate Director, Immigrant Legal Resource Center

  • Annie Dimitras, Citizenship Program and Policy Specialist, City of Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs

  • Joshua Rodriguez, Manager of Federal Advocacy and Policy, Immigration Hub

  • Karen Phillippi, Senior Advisor - Office of Citizenship, Partnership and Engagement (OCPE), U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services 


Protecting Immigrant and Refugee Communities: Census 2030, Elections and The Fight for Fair Representation
Anti-immigrant political leaders seek to weaponize the census and redistricting to limit the political power of immigrants, refugees, and the communities in which they live. An accurate census count is crucial to ensuring that these communities receive the health, safety, and educational resources they need. Efforts are currently underway to implement a radical change to the way in which we count residents of the United States by excluding non-citizens. This unprecedented and unconstitutional attack both at the federal and state level would drastically reduce the political power of communities with large non-citizen populations. We must fight back against efforts to intimidate these communities and make them invisible in our democracy. This session will focus on identifying these threats and strategies for defeating them. It will examine past efforts to encourage participation in the census and increase civic engagement. Speakers will also spotlight successful strategies for defeating federal and state legislation targeting the political power of immigrants and refugee communities. Public education must begin now to sow the seeds of effective census outreach and stop direct assaults on constitutional rights.
Moderator: Keshia Morris Desir, Justice & Democracy Manager, Common Cause

Speakers:

  • Meeta Anand, Senior Director, Census & Data Equity, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

  • Machhadie Assi, Muslim Americans in Public Service

  • Bob Sakaniwa, Director of Policy and Advocacy, APIA Vote

  • Dan Vicuna, Director of Redistricting and Representation, Common Cause


The Path to Citizenship: Protecting Wins and Fighting for Citizenship for All
For years, the immigrant rights movement has fought for a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the US. Our fearless fight has gotten us close in many moments, created temporary status, and sometimes won citizenship for some communities.  As we find ourselves with a growing number of anti-immigration policies being introduced in Congress and an incoming, unfriendly Administration, we will explore how the immigration movement can hold the line in protecting immigrants and fighting to create a pathway to citizenship. Our panelists will explore legislation and policies to protect immigrants and how we continue the fight for a pathway to citizenship.

Moderator: Jose-Arnulfo Cabrera, Deputy Director of National Policy and Campaigns, CHIRLA

Speakers:

  • Monica Andrade, Director of State Policy and Legal Strategy, Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration

  • Nayda Benitez, Organizing Director, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition

  • Diana Konaté, Deputy Executive Director, Policy & Advocacy, African Communities Together

  • Helena Olea, Associate Deputy Director, Alianza Americas

  • Kali Pliego, Treasurer, American Families United

USING DATA & TECHNOLOGY TO DEFEND OUR COMMUNITIES

In its inaugural year at NIIC, this track will delve into data, tech, and AI. With particular focus on what we don’t see in mainstream conversations, this track will cover these topics through the lens of our immigrant and refugee organizations and communities. Participants will learn ways that immigrant and refugee advocacy organizations can be informed and empowered to use data, digital tools and strategies as they propel the work of organizations and local governments to further inform, include and protect our communities. (83 words)

Accelerating Advocacy: AI for Immigrant Justice
Join Justicia Lab, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, and Human Rights First for a conversation on the potential (and risks) of artificial intelligence in the immigration legal services field, as well as a demonstration of AI-tools in development by participating panelists.

Justicia lab will showcase a new generative AI-based tool for asylum-seekers seeking to understand legal documents, and keep track of their next steps as they safely navigate a path to status. ASAP will showcase its custom membership platform that enables instantaneous communication with 600,000+ asylum seekers -- including a new AI-enabled legal help desk. Human Rights First will showcase an AI-assisted platform that empowers pro-se applicants to produce a high-quality application with light-touch legal counsel.

Speakers:

  • Rodrigo Camarena, Interim Co-Executive Director, Justicia Lab, (he/him)

  • Swapna Reddy, Co-Executive Director, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, (she/her)

  • Perris Richter, Senior Director, Innovation Lab, Human Rights First, (they/them)

  • Farida Chehata, Managing Attorney, Los Angeles Office, Human Rights First, (she/her)

  

Beyond the Bars: Strategies for Combating the Expansion of  Immigration Detention and the Rise of Digital Surveillance and Enforcement
With current funding levels for ICE detention reaching historic levels and the imminent expansion of detention and enforcement under a Trump Administration, this panel will discuss the current immigration detention landscape and how it is anticipated to change under Trump’s mass deportation agenda. Panelists will discuss efforts to counter the proliferation of ICE detention through federal advocacy and local anti-detention shutdown campaigns. We will also discuss the proliferation of electronic monitoring as an expansion of ICE surveillance, ICE’s use of artificial intelligence in enforcement decision-making, and how those technologies will likely be deployed in coming months.
Facilitator: Kort Lee, Senior Program Associate, Vera Institute of Justice (they/them)

Speakers:

  • Naureen Shah, Deputy Director of Government Affairs, Equity Division at American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) (she/ella)

  • Laura Rivera, Senior Staff Attorney, Just Futures Law (she/ella)

  • Tania Wolf, Immigrant Rights Advocate, Southeast Dignity Not Detention Coalition (she/ella)

  • Arely Westley, LGBTQ+ and Immigrants Rights Activist with BreakOUT! (she/her)


Strength in Numbers: The Role of Data in Advancing Equity

This session will address the new way that the federal government will collect and present detailed data on race and ethnicity across all federal agencies. These new changes include the creation of a combined race and ethnicity question with the addition of a MENA category. The panel will discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the implementation of these changes. We will learn how more detailed race and ethnicity data can be used to protect communities from discrimination, enhance healthcare access, and drive effective public policy.

Our panel of community leaders and data experts will share real-world stories and actionable insights on why detailed data matters. We’ll also address the understandable wariness many communities of color feel about data due to a history of surveillance and misuse. This discussion will explore how to build trust and ensure data serves as a tool for empowerment rather than control. Together, we will discover the crucial role of detailed race and ethnicity data in promoting equity.

Moderator: Nadia Mavrakis, CEO, Culturingua (she/her)

Speakers:

  • Adam Beddawi, Policy Manager at National Network for Arab American Communities (he/him)

  • Rosalind Gold, Chief Public Policy Officer, NALEO Educational Fund (she/her)

  • Karthick Ramakrishnan, PhD, Executive Director & Founder, AAPI Data (he/him)

  • Christina Samuels, Deputy Executive Director of Programs at African Communities Together (she/her)

WE WON’T GIVE UP ON BELONGING

As communities across the U.S. face heightened challenges to welcoming and supporting immigrants and refugees, the Welcome, Inclusion & Belonging track for 2024 will explore resilient, innovative approaches to creating spaces where everyone can truly belong. This track will feature discussions on how local governments, nonprofits, and grassroots organizations are uniting to ensure the safety, dignity, and justice of all our neighbors, with special attention to the experiences of marginalized groups, including Black migrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.

Our sessions will focus on fostering belonging through inclusive policies, youth empowerment, and service initiatives that address the unique challenges faced by displaced individuals in an increasingly hostile climate. We will explore ways to reshape systems, prioritize community-led programs that embrace diverse identities and backgrounds, and celebrate the resilience and contributions of immigrant communities. The track will spotlight Afghan resettlement efforts, LGBTQ+ immigrant support, and the barriers faced by refugees and immigrants with disabilities as they navigate an ever-more restrictive U.S. immigration system.

Through this track, participants will hear from leaders on the front lines of welcoming initiatives and will engage in conversations that highlight breakthrough ideas and approaches, underscoring our collective commitment to a more just and inclusive future, regardless of federal obstacles.


Afghan Resettlement 3 Years Later: Case Study
Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August of 2021, over 160,000 Afghans have arrived and made the U.S. their new home. This all-Afghan panel will explore, examine and provide an overview of the relocation and resettlement of at-risk Afghans to the United States in order to use the past three years as a case-study of welcoming newcomers to this country. These panelists, who each bring critical and relevant experience as well as deep ties to their community, will go over lessons learned from the past tumultuous three years as well as what still needs to be done in the months and years to come.
Moderator: Kawser Amine Bidar, North California Refugee Organizer, The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)  

Speakers:

  • Laila Ayub, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Project ANAR

  • Arash Azizzada, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Afghans For A Better Tomorrow  

  • Helal Massomi, Afghan Advocate, Global Refuge 

  • Sania Wafeq, Refugee Health Promotion Program Director, YMCA Houston

Navigating Barriers: The Journey of Displaced Individuals with Disabilities in the U.S. Immigration System
There is no official data available on the prevalence of disability among the displaced population arriving in the United States in search of safety. Nevertheless, 13 percent of the US population by 2022 are people with disabilities. Applying the same rate to the displaced population, we have millions of people with disabilities currently living without legal status, or waiting for the asylum or other immigration applications to be processed. 

This session aims to draw a clear picture of the discrimination and exclusion faced by people with disabilities crossing the US border, navigating through the complicated journey to access safety. Through a dynamic interview with a number of researchers, practitioners and advocates, you will follow persons with disabilities in different stages of their pathway from crossing the border and facing the CBP, through navigating the immigration and justice system, and eventually accessing their basic needs such as health care and social protection.
Moderator: Elham Youssefian, Director of Disability Inclusion and Accessibility, IRAP

Speakers:

  • Richard Diaz, Senior Attorney, Disability Rights California

  • Qusay Hussein, Asylum Seeker 

  • Anne Kelsey, Senior Policy Analyst for Disability Rights, Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights

  • Diana Pryntz, co-founder and Executive Director, Deaf Refugee Advocacy

  • Tania N. Valdez, Associate Professor of Law, The George Washington University Law School

New Dynamics: How Black Migrants Transform America's Political Landscape
This panel will explore the profound influence of Black migrant communities on the American political and cultural landscape, particularly as they navigate an era of heightened hostility and targeted policies. We will discuss the rich history and resilience of Black migrant communities in America, examining the unique dynamics that shape their experiences and identities. The session will also delve into how these communities are increasingly influencing local, state, and national political strategies across the spectrum, even amid rising challenges.

Join us for a vital discussion on the complex socio-political identities of Black migrants and their current and prospective impact on American politics. We’ll examine strategies for resilience and engagement within these communities as they continue to shape the American political landscape in the face of adversity.

Moderator: Solomon Ayalew, DMV Chapter Director, African Communities Together 
Speakers:

  • Sara Louise Ayo, Policy/Advocacy Organizer and Legal Assistant, Louisiana Organization for Refugee and Immigration 

  • Ronald Claude, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Black Alliance for Just Immigration

  • Guerline Jozef,  Founder and Executive Director, Haitian Bridge Alliance

  • Amaha Kassa, Founder and Executive Director, African Communities Together

  • Gigi Toure, Civic Engagement Director, African Communities Together 

  • Nsé Ufot, Chief Executive Officer, New Georgia Project


Out and Excluded: Addressing and Uplifting the Unique Needs of LGBTQIA+ Individuals in Displacement 

A global survey estimates that at least 9% of the world’s population identifies as LGBTQIA+, meaning there are at least 10 million LGBTQIA+ forcibly displaced people around the world. The dangerous experiences of LGBTQI+ migrants, the factors that force their movement are heightened. The vast majority of US immigration and humanitarian protection pathways and programs were not made with the needs of LGBTQIA+ people in mind, and as such, can be dangerously exclusionary or operated. Trans asylum seekers often face discriminatory and violent treatment in immigration detention, many immigration pathways neglect the recognition of same sex relationships or other non-heteronormative family structures, and many refugee and asylum service programs struggle to understand and meet the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ clients. Simultaneously, the US continues to see an increase in anti-LGBTQIA+ laws across the country, threatening access to life-saving services. 

In this session, we are joined by panelists working at the intersections of humanitarian protection and migration, and LGBTQIA+ rights who will shed more light on the experiences of LGBTQIA+ immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the US; and share calls to action for how the immigration field can better protect and serve LGBTQIA+ migrants. 

Moderator: Sarah Seniuk, Director of Engagement, Rainbow Railroad 

Speakers

  • Kendra Frith, Senior Engagement Officer, Rainbow Railroad

  • Oluchi Omeaga, Co-Director/ Organizing Director, Black LGBTQ+ Migrant Project 

  • Aaron Nodjomian-Escajeda, Senior Policy Analyst, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants 

  • Cristian Sanchez, Economic Justice Director, Texas Immigration Law Council 


Supporting Refugee and Immigrant Youth through Inclusive Programs 

This session at NIIC will explore strategies for fostering inclusive educational environments for refugee and immigrant youth. Speakers will address key topics such as intergenerational dialogue to bridge cultural gaps, inclusive school models tailored for newcomer students, and mental health support through culturally responsive care.

Additionally, the session will highlight youth advocacy, leadership opportunities, and a youth-driven school program designed by and for immigrant and refugee students. Attendees will gain practical tools and insights to better support refugee and immigrant youth in schools and their broader communities.

Moderator: Isabel López, Isabel López, Digital Organizer, We Are All America 

Speakers:

  • Amena Elamin, National Youth Organizer, Black Alliance for Just Immigration  

  • Dr. Maria Moreno, CEO, Newcomer Success

  • Gianna Pugliese, Intercultural Outreach Coordinator, West Des Moines Community Schools 

  • Trang Truong-Hill, Director of Newcomer Immigrant Strategies & Global Services,YMCA of the USA

SPECIAL SESSIONS   

This cohort of Special Sessions features those that cut across issue areas and/or address topics of overarching interest, including funding and resource generation, countering organized, extremist anti-immigrant movements, historical evolution of the notion of citizenship, the power of popular culture and storytelling, and more.

A Changed Political Landscape: Implications for Funders and the Immigration Rights Field  

The political landscape for moving pro-immigrant policies forward faces a very different future post-election.  Come explore the implications for funding nationally and locally with funders and colleagues. Together, we will explore the way forward and funding for groups, coalitions, and the immigrant rights movement.  We will address capacity building, movement building, and increasing funding for immigration and asylum. This panel will prioritize Q and A with the audience.

Moderator: Xiomara Corpeno, Program Officer, Four Freedoms Fund (she/her; they/them)

Speakers:

  • Sara Campos, Senior Program Officer, Grove Foundation (she/her)

  • Chhandasi Pandya Patel, Director of Inclusive Democracy, Four Freedoms Fund (she/her)

  • Marissa Tirona, President, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (she/her)


Beyond Bootstraps: Narrative Findings, Strategies and Action Plans   

For over a decade, the immigrant rights movement has pioneered narrative change strategies to reshape public views on immigration—and our research reveals a huge, persuadable audience ready for transformation. Yet, these groundbreaking insights are distributed across reports and organizations. In this dynamic session, join leading voices from Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Equis, and the Butterfly Lab alongside new cutting-edge research from Harmony Labs and Define American. Discover how popular culture and strategic storytelling can sway public opinion and uncover opportunities to turn research into actionable change. We’ll connect the dots between media influence and research-driven narrative strategies, revealing how to captivate persuadable audiences and amplify our collective impact.

Moderator: Sarah E. Lowe, Director of Narrative Research + Evaluation, Define American, (she/her/hers)

Speakers:

  • Riki Conrey, Principal Scientist, Harmony Labs (she/her/hers)

  • Jelmarie Maldonado Rodriguez, Deputy Director of Narrative, Equis (she/her/ella)

  • Najah Springer, Communications Associate, Black Alliance for Just Immigration (she/her/hers)

  • Janelle Treibitz, Narrative Strategy Consultant & former Research Lead, Butterfly Lab (she/her/hers)

Digital Strategy 301: Rapid Response Fundraising
Interested in learning more about rapid response fundraising? Understand the importance of prioritizing rapid response moments and prepare to create a rapid response fundraising plan for your organization. 

Speakers: 

  • Shayda Sales, Movement, Issues & Charitable Organizations Outreach Associate, ActBlue (she/her)


The Evolution of Citizenship and the Promise of American Identity  

What does it mean to be an American?  How has the United States defined citizenship over time? The definition of U.S. citizenship has determined who belongs in this country and who does not. Panelists will explore the fight of Black Americans, Asian Americans, and Indigenous Americans to be recognized as citizens; the tension between expansionist U.S. territorial ambitions and recognition of the people of those territories as Americans; and the limitations of citizenship in a framework grounded in white supremacy. In this session, panelists situate the struggle for just migration in the broader racial and social justice movement as we seek the promise of equality and justice for all in our multiracial democracy.

Moderator: Ivy O. Suriyopas, Vice President of Programs, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (she/her)

Speakers: 

  • Jannette Diep, Executive Director & DOJ-Accredited Representative, Boat People SOS Houston (she/her)

  • Amaha Kassa, Founder & Executive Director, African Communities Together (he/him)

  • Ashley Taylor, Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives Senior Associate, World Education Services Mariam Assefa Fund (she/her)  


Expose and Counter: How Hate Impacts Immigrant Communities
Forces of hate, exclusion and oppression are organizing behind an anti-immigrant agenda. Extremist groups and hardliner politicians are pushing anti-immigrant policies and dragging hateful rhetoric into the mainstream, both at the national and local level. At the center of this is a convergence of anti-immigrant and anti-LGBTQ+ ideology, which has real effects on LGBTQ+ people, immigrant communities and people at the intersections of those lived experiences. This track will gather experts working in the immigration advocacy and countering hate space to provide a snapshot of the issues and offer ways to respond to anti-immigrant extremism and work toward upholding inclusive democracy that works for us all.
Moderator: Caleb Kieffer, Senior Research Analyst, Southern Poverty Law Center (he/him)

Speakers:

  • Freddy Cruz, Program Manager for Monitoring and Training, Western States Center (he/him)

  • Brian Nunez, Senior Policy Associate, Southern Poverty Law Center (he/him)

  • Yuna Oh, Research Associate, America’s Voice (she/her)

  • Rosario Palacios, Co-Founder/Executive Director, GA Familias Unidas (she/her; they/them)


Governing for Belonging: How We Can Keep Advancing the Vision 

A government “of the people, by the people, for the people” is a core value in our democracy. Now, more than ever, we need to enable as many people as possible to participate in the democratic process. Join us to discuss what is needed of leaders inside and outside of government for the coming era to increase the government's commitment to supporting immigrant belonging? What insights can those working inside public institutions share about the opportunities and challenges to creating and growing the commitment to equitable policies and practices? How can  government partners increase civic participation, immigrant leadership, and trust when democratic norms are under threat? 

Hear from local and federal government office leaders and come ready to join with participants to discuss how we navigate this new era and the concrete steps we can take to move forward.

Moderator: Ramya Reddy, Federal Policy Manager, National Partnership for New Americans

Speakers:

  • Natalie El-Diery, Director of US Policy, World Education Services

  • Khalida Loyd, Director of Mayor's Office of Human Rights & Equity, City of New Orleans 

  • Eva Milona, Director of Partnerships of Engagement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

  • Rachel Peric, Executive Director, Welcoming America 

  • Rocio Villalobos, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager, City of Austin Equity Office of Immigrant Affairs (invited)


How to Respond to Harassment and Practice Resilience

This training is a workshop that emphasizes building resilience and long-term healing for those who have experienced anti-Asian harassment. You’ll learn how your identities can shape your experiences of harassment and the impact that harassment has on you and your community. We’ll take a deep dive into how to build your resilience on an individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and societal front. You’ll leave with new tools on how to respond to harassment, whether your response is in the moment while that harassment is happening or long-term.

Speakers: 

  • Eugene Lee,Advocacy & Programs Lead, OCA-Greater Houston (he/him)

  • Tam Lo, Advocacy & Programs Lead, OCA-Greater Houston (she/they)


Still A Nation of Refugees and Immigrants Post Elections  

NIIC represents a wide spectrum of immigrant, refugee, and displaced diaspora issues. This session is informative and thought-provoking for a variety of stakeholders including advocates, service providers, legal providers, and government stakeholders. Our goal is to share both data and first hand experiences from Immigrant serving organizations on the ground at the border, current immigrant data, while proposing innovative ideas to advance a local, state, national immigrant inclusion agenda. We are a nation of refugees as individuals are fleeing to the US due to political and climate crises happening in their home countries. We will share data on our ERI Naturalization maps that have been uplifted by campaigners in the most recent elections. We will highlight data from our California Immigrant Data Portal (CIDP) on numbers of Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and New Arrivals. As migrants relocate from one place to another, they are destabilized due to fixed borders, lack of advancement in federal policies, boundaries, and displaced families. We will be joined by CHIRLA And Haitian Bridge Alliance to share qualitative data and storytelling on their rapid response work with busloads of immigrant families arriving in CA from Texas, and working closely with Black and Central Americans immigrants at the Mexico border. Data will be pulled from: Naturalization Maps and National Equity Atlas.

Moderator: Dr. Kim Tabari, External Affairs Director, USC Equity Research Institute (she/her)

Speakers:

  • Khia Duncan, Data Analyst II, USC Equity Research Institute (she/her/hers)

  • Cecily S Ma, Migrant Emergency Program Manager, CHIRLA (she/they)

  • Daniel Tse, Haitian Bridge Alliance (he/him)

Firewall for Freedom: How States and Cities Can Fight Trump’s Mass Deportations

In the face of the Trump administration’s unprecedented mass deportation drive, we need a Firewall For Freedom to ensure state and local officials do not voluntarily assist in attacking immigrants and their families. Learn about work already underway to mobilize activists and engage elected officials; how you can help build a Firewall; and the Firewall for Freedom playbooks and other activist resources.

Moderator: Sarah Mehta, Senior Counsel, ACLU

Speakers: 

  • Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition 

  • Amy Fischer, Director of Refugee and Migrant Rights, Amnesty International USA

  • Naureen Shah, Deputy Director of Government Affairs, ACLU

Caregiving Moonshots: New Thinking to Transform Newcomer Communities as Givers and Receivers of Care


Monday Dec 9 
Track Block # 3 (2:15pm-3:30pm) 
Room 343AB 

Speakers: 

  • Richard Lui, News Anchor, Fintech Founder, Filmmaker

  • Katie Scott, CarePartners, President

  • Ana Fuentevilla, MD, MHCDS; Co-Founder and National Chief Medical Officer, Suvida Healthcare

  • Others to be announced

Paid and unpaid caregiving—whether provided in homes or underfunded facilities for individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or aging needs—is a vast and underrecognized frontier with immense social and economic promise. Globally, the care economy is among the largest overlooked sectors, contributing unrealized economic value equivalent to 9% of a nation’s GDP and involving up to a third of its population. In the United States, caregiving impacts over 100 million people and represents a $2.5 trillion opportunity. Immigrant and newcomer communities are at the heart of this work, both as givers and receivers of care, often shouldering essential caregiving roles while remaining underpaid or unpaid.

The care economy is also experiencing a cultural shift, gaining visibility in films, media, and public discourse. This newfound awareness offers a rare opportunity to rethink how caregiving is integrated into economic frameworks and leadership strategies. Forward-thinking leaders who prioritize innovation in caregiving can drive transformative change, address systemic inequities, and elevate the vital contributions of immigrant communities.

This session invites participants to adopt "moonshot" thinking—bold, transformative ideas to tackle the challenges and unlock the potential of the care economy. While caregiving might seem like an ordinary or “ho-hum” topic at first glance, those with personal experience often describe profound "aha" moments—discovering joy, insight, and meaning amidst challenges. For immigrant families, this blend of resilience and purpose is a lived reality every day.

Join us to explore how caregiving can become a cornerstone of social and economic progress, inspiring innovation that values both the givers and receivers of care within newcomer communities.

Photos of NIIC across this site are the work of our talented team of photographers over the years, including: Carolina Kroon (lead), Oliver Contreras, Anja Hitzenberg, Phil Soto, Marcin Szczepanski and Stephanie Williams.