Tracks
NIIC features a cohort of 8-12 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.
Typically more than 125 diverse leaders from over 100 organizations 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.
NIIC 2024 TRACKS
Access to Justice
As we build upon the challenges of the last few years in fighting anti-immigrant narratives and policies both nationally and locally, we have also witnessed progress in some areas such as naturalizing record-breaking numbers of new citizens, passing new resources for legal representation, and winning dignifying immigration solutions that the nation has been calling for like Parole in Place. This track aims to continue to build the power and strength of the immigrant movement to advance access to justice across the nation. Sessions will examine topics including universal legal representation, legal services capacity building, and models and strategies for rapid response and administrative relief.
Arts, Culture & Narrative
The most impactful social movements in our nation’s history have been commemorated through art and have influenced culture while moving narratives that shift hearts and minds. 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. 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 cultural strategies to inspire connection, reject harmful narratives, and propel our vision of thriving immigrant communities across the country.
Climate Justice
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. This 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.
The track will feature workshops and presentations from a mix of frontline leaders, advocates, and legal practitioners. Sessions 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, and legal and organizing strategies for protecting climate displaced people.
Data, Digital & Tech
In its inaugural year at NIIC, this track will delve into data, tech, and artificial intelligence. As new technology emerges and as our field strengthens data driven approaches, this track will cover how immigrant and refugee organizations and advocates are integrating technology and data into our work. 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.
Democracy, Elections & Civic Engagement
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 continued work to engage the New American electorate.
Full Citizenship
Join us for in-depth discussions 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, such as federal and local immigration policies, while spotlighting success stories of empowerment through advocacy and community leadership. We 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, equipping attendees with the resources to continue this critical work.
Healthcare
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.
Language Access and Education
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.
Nation of Refuge
This track will focus on rebuilding and re-envisioning refugee resettlement, the U.S. immigrant system, and protection infrastructures. We will explore the diverse barriers displaced people face while highlighting evolving migration patterns and systemic challenges. Through an intersectional lens, the track will address community organizing efforts, emphasizing solidarity across displaced populations and centering equity in resettlement. By using anti-racist, anti-classist, and anti-ableist frameworks, we aim to dismantle systemic barriers and promote inclusive policies that benefit LGBTQIA+ and disabled individuals. Sessions will spotlight state and local policies fostering proactive resettlement approaches and envisioning solutions beyond traditional infrastructure to support displaced individuals on their path to safety and opportunity.
Shared Prosperity
This track will explore strategies, challenges, and opportunities that immigrants and refugees face in achieving Shared Prosperity, especially during an election year and beyond. 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 and refugee-led initiatives in advancing equitable outcomes. Attendees will gain valuable insights into strategies for fostering economic inclusion, addressing housing obstacles and building an inclusive workforce. Participants will leave with practical tools and strategies to advocate for immigrant and refugee communities at the federal, state, and local levels.
Welcome, Inclusion & Belonging
This track will explore innovative approaches to creating spaces where immigrants and refugees can truly belong. Discussions will focus on how local governments, nonprofits, and grassroots organizations are ensuring the safety, dignity, and justice of all, with special attention to marginalized groups such as Black migrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities. Sessions will highlight inclusive policies, youth programs, and service initiatives that address the challenges displaced individuals face while showcasing Afghan resettlement efforts and support for LGBTQ+ and disabled communities navigating the U.S. immigration system. Participants will engage with leaders at the forefront of welcoming initiatives, discovering ideas that foster a more just and unified future.
Special Sessions
Details to be announced.
NIIC 2022 Tracks
See here for the full details on all the Track Sessions that will be featured at NIIC 2022, and below for an overview of each Track and the listing of our Track Leads, who volunteered their expertise and time to build this powerful and essential part of the NIIC program.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE
As we build upon the challenges and successes of the last few years in fighting back deportation and criminalization of our communities, there is an opportunity to leverage local, state, and federal infrastructure and campaigns to increase access to justice for immigrants across the country while pushing for legalization for all. This track will look into campaigns ranging from universal representation to ending detention; the local and statewide victories that publicly fund the spectrum of legal services; and, the need to continue building capacity across the field to prepare for large-scale legalization programs.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Immigrants and refugees are on the front lines of climate change. Climate and extreme weather are rapidly becoming one the largest root causes of displacement, and in the United States immigrant communities are among those hit first and worst by climate disasters and impacts. Despite this our communities are often overlooked and left out of efforts to adapt to and mitigate climate impacts, and few tools exist to provide safe pathways for climate-displaced people to migrate. This track will explore the ways immigrants and refugees are uniquely impacted by climate change, both as a root cause of migration and as frontline communities in the United States.
EDUCATION & LANGUAGE ACCESS
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the disproportionate obstacles that our communities face when it comes to education and language access. This track will touch on language access barriers and language justice issues; language acquisition, education and economic mobility; language and workforce opportunity; digital literacy and equity issues, etc. The sessions will look into best practices in inclusiveness and access to public schooling, adult education, workforce development, and language access and communicating with immigrant communities.
FULL CITIZENSHIP & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
From re-defining citizenship to empowering the 5 million+ newly naturalized citizens to become lifelong voters- the Full Citizenship track will unpack timely conversations with nuanced analysis. Discussions will include the ongoing fight to secure a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants; empowering new citizens to not only exercise their right to vote but to also seek political leadership positions; and the fight to expand noncitizen voting. This track will equip participants with tools, insights and knowledge to fight for the civic inclusion of all immigrants and refugees as we gear toward 2024 and beyond.
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
Since 2020, BIPOC, immigrant, and refugee communities have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States due to various forms of structural inequality, including barriers encased in federal and state policy that restrict access to quality, affordable, and culturally responsive healthcare. In 2022, these issues have coupled with unprecedented attacks on our basic rights, such as the overturn of Roe v. Wade by the United States Supreme Court. Despite all obstacles, immigrant rights coalitions all over the country continue to advance groundbreaking systemic change to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all, regardless of immigration status. The sessions in this track will discuss recent state victories and ongoing efforts for coverage expansion, the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrant and refugee communities, culturally responsive mental health care within our communities as well as how immigrant women of color are leading the fight for abortion access.
LGBTQIA+ MIGRANTS IN FOCUS
Over 250,000 Black, Indigenous, AAPI, and other POC LGBTQ+ migrants in the United States are at risk for detention and deportation. As this number grows, so has the anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric across the country. It’s critical at this moment to respond to negative sentiments surrounding LGBTQ+ migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced persons. Sessions within this track will amplify key areas of intersection across the movement including: detention of trans migrants and asylum seekers, LGBTQ+ folks seeking refuge, undocumented LGBTQ+ folks, transnational organizing, and how organizations can center BIPOC LGBTQ+ voices to build a sustainable and liberated future.
NATION OF REFUGE
The Nation of Refuge track will take a comprehensive approach to our collective advocacy efforts to rebuild and re-envision refugee resettlement and protection infrastructures, engaging critically with the many disparate barriers forcibly displaced people face when seeking refuge in the United States. We will also highlight the field's approach to community organizing through an intersectional lens that recognizes root causes of migration as well as the diverse and multifaceted identities among displaced diaspora. As part of this work, we will explore the need to build solidarity across forcibly displaced populations, centering the need for equity and utilizing explicitly anti-racist/classist/ableist tools to dismantle systemic barriers that perpetuate anti-Blackness, and disparate treatment to LGBTQIA+ and disabled persons when seeking care. The track will showcase emergent state and local policies that create opportunities for a proactive approach to resettlement in moments of crisis and a vision for moving beyond traditional infrastructure.
NARRATIVE & MESSENGERS
The narrative track will provide expert advice, and case study analysis that challenge long-standing assumptions about messaging, storytelling, and narrative-building. Participants will come away with tools and knowledge on how to build narrative power for the long term and how to drive powerful narratives within campaigns/programs. Track sessions will unpack lessons learned from innovative campaigns, current narrative research and work, and advance building intersectional and empowering pro-immigrant and pro-refugee narratives.
RESOURCING OUR MOVEMENTS
Money can often change the playing field fast, especially in politically and economically challenging times. Powering our movements requires durable, diversified, innovative, long-haul resources, investment and partnership. This Track will provide expert guidance and insights on several core fundraising concerns for our movements: 1) growing and engaging individual donors; 2) trends, perspectives and analysis from institutional funders; and 3) lessons from a successful state-wide case-study in public-private partnership that puts movement and community-based leadership at the center.
SHARED PROSPERITY: BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR ALL
Despite experiencing disproportionate economic hardship as a result of COVID-19, immigrant and refugee communities continue playing a vital role in rebuilding our economy through the pandemic’s third year. In fact, the pandemic highlighted that the work/contributions of immigrants and refugees in the U.S. is/are critical to rebuild the country’s economy. The sessions in this track will discuss policies, programs, and tools that support an equitable economic recovery for immigrants and refugees. Topics will include: economic mobility, workforce development, worker justice, organizing and advocacy strategies, equitable access to financial tools, plus more.
WELCOME, INCLUSION & BELONGING
As many local communities across the country continue to find best practices to be welcoming and inclusive, speakers in these sessions will address how they’ve created and continue to create communities where everyone can belong. Discussions will address ways to ensure the safety, dignity, and justice of all our neighbors. From local government actions to innovative nonprofit work, this track will explore how we can welcome through policies and programs at the local level, and breakthrough ideas that are helping communities into the more just and united spaces we want to be in.
NIIC 2022 TRACK LEADS
These leaders from NIIC Stakeholder organizations across the country donate their expertise and time to building the NIIC Tracks, which comprise more than half the programming at NIIC. Listing below is by Track in alphabetical order by participating organization.
Track titles listed below are working drafts and may adjust.
Access to Justice
Seydi Sarr, African Bureau of Immigration & Social Affairs
Nicole Catá, New York Immigration Coalition
Kayla Kelechian, New York Immigration Coalition
Theo Moore, New York Immigration Coalition
Eréndira Rendón, The Resurrection Project
Melissa Garlick, Vera Institute of Justice
Shayna Kessler, Vera Institute of Justice
Climate Change
Melanie Minuche, Alianza Americas
Vivian Huang, Asian Pacific Environmental Network
Vlad Carrasco, CHIRLA
Krystina François, Communities United for Status and Protection
Naomi Steinberg, HIAS
Neda Arabshahi, Inclusiv
Nisha Agarwal, International Refugee Assistance Project
Kayly Ober, Refugees International
Jairaj Singh, Unite Oregon
Education & Language Access
Sana Jatta, African Bureau of Immigration & Social Affairs
Ravi Reddi, Asian American Federation
Jacob Hofstetter, Migration Policy Institute
Theo Moore, New York Immigration Coalition
Andrea Ortiz, New York Immigration Coalition
Marwah Alobaidi, USA Hello
Elizabeth Basca, USA Hello
Priyanka Sharma, World Education Inc
Full Citizenship & Civic Engagement
Raymond Partolan, Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote
Ishraq Ali, MPower Change
Craig Valdez, New American Leaders
Laura Vasquez, Unidos US
Healthy Communities
Azizah Ahmad, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
Sarah Dar, California Immigrant Policy Center
Elizabeth Sweet, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
Christine Nguyen, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum
Yvonne Hsu, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum
Seongeun Chun, New York Immigration Coalition
Theresa Thanjan, New York Immigration Coalition
LGBTQIA+ Migrants in Focus
Kenrick Ross, National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance
Uchechkwu Onwa, Queer Detainee Empowerment Project
Kimahli Powell, Rainbow Railroad
Sarah Seniuk, Refugee Council USA
Kim Tabari, USC Equity Institute
Narrative & Messengers
Ravi Reddi, Asian American Federation
Conchita Cruz, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project
Jeff Chang, Butterfly Lab
Granate Kim, MPower Change
Shweta Moorthy, Race Forward
Nation of Refuge
Dauda Sesay, African Communities Together
Anahita Panahi, CHIRLA
Adamou Mohamed, Church World Service
Paula Munoz, Florida Immigrant Coalition
Naomi Steinberg, HIAS
Ellen Beattie, International Rescue CommitteeNili Yossinger, Refugee Congress
Sarah Seniuk, Refugee Council USA
Judith Clerjeune, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition
Shared Prosperity: Building an Economy that Works for All
Pablo DeFilippi, Inclusiv
Rene Vargas Martinez, Inclusiv
Eli Goss, OneAmerica
Fatima Sanz, World Education Services
Welcome, Inclusion & Belonging
Adja Soukeye Ndoye, African Bureau of Immigration & Social Affairs
Galya Ben-Arieh, COMPASS
Ellen Beattie, International Rescue Committee
Mufalo Chitam, Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition
Fatima Saidi, Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition
Madeleine Saucier, Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition
Tobin Williamson, Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition
Nili Yossinger, Refugee Congress
Lisa Sherman Luna, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition
Jordyne Krumroy, Welcoming America
Sokthea Phay, YMCA of Long Beach
For information about the 2021 Tracks see here. To learn more about the 2021 Track Leads see here.