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Community and Government Leaders Join Celebrities at LULAC National Convention to Address Immigration Issues

July 7, 2010

Washington, DC – Immigration policy is currently one of the most contentious issues in the nation. The League of United Latin American Citizens National President Rosa Rosales recently met with President Obama to discuss comprehensive immigration reform.

“Our country needs immigration reform that improves the efficiency of our legal immigration system and enables hardworking and rule-abiding immigrants to remain with their families and fully contribute to their communities,” stated Rosales, “and at this year’s national convention LULAC will bring this issue to the forefront.”

The stars are coming out to bring attention to the need for immigration reform and the problems with SB1070 which many claim are unconstitutional.

LULAC has dedicated its annual convention concert, called Voces Unidas por América, to unite artists in a very inspiring, and entertaining way that will focus media attention on Arizona and the need to help hard working immigrants realize their American Dream. This free concert will take place at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds, Saturday, July 17 with Cristian Castro, Ozomatli, Pee Wee and other highly recognized artists. Free tickets must be picked up at the LULAC Expo Hall Wednesday through Friday, July 14-16.

Comedian and actor, Paul Rodriguez, is on board with a benefit performance Thursday, July 15 at the Kiva Auditorium at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Ticket prices range from $20 to $40 and 100 percent of the funds raised will be destined to LULAC litigation against Arizona SB1070 and other anti-immigrant litigation.

Beyond the stars are plenty of serious big time community leaders focusing on immigration at the LULAC national convention. On Friday, July 16, three workshops will address different aspects of immigration ranging from the Dream Act, the effects of SB1070 and pending legislation.

Expert panelists will offer insight on reframing the immigration debate, as well as discuss methods of how people can support this reframing. Panelists will explore current pieces of legislation, including CIR legislation sponsored by Representative Luis Gutierrez from Illinois and human rights experts and Arizona legislators will discuss the effects SB1070 will have in the Latino community.

Among the featured speakers are: Marshall Fitz, Immigration Policy Director, Center for American Progress; Angela Salas, Executive Director, Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles; Felicia Escobar, Senior Advisor for Immigration Policy at the Domestic Policy Council, Executive Office of the President; Grisella Martinez, Director of Policy Legislative Affairs, National Immigration Forum; Ben Miranda Arizona House of Representatives; and Peter Schey, Executive Director, Center for Human Rights.

As the nation’s premier Latino convention, the LULAC National Convention attracts more than 20,000 participants, including top leaders from government, business & the Hispanic community.

Friday Immigration Workshops

For more information visit www.lulac.org and RSVP to www.lulac.net/events/convention/workshop10.html.

Friday, July 16
9:00 am to 10:20 am Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Is Change Coming? ..............San Miguel

Immigration policy is currently one of the most contentious issues in the nation. This discussion will focus on the complexities of immigration reform, the challenges that the Latino community faces, and the likelihood of a new comprehensive immigration reform bill becoming law. Expert panelists will also offer insight on reframing the immigration debate, as well as discuss methods of how people can support this reframing. This briefing is intended to allow key immigration reform leaders to share their ideas on how to best achieve a fair and just immigration plan for America.

Moderator: Julie Contreras, LULAC Midwest Commissioner, LNIAC

Panelists:
Marshall Fitz, Immigration Policy Director, Center for American Progress
Angela Salas, Executive Director, Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles
Felicia Escobar, Senior Advisor for Immigration Policy at the Domestic Policy Council, Executive Office of the President
Grisella Martinez, Director of Policy Legislative Affairs, National Immigration Forum

10:30 am to 11:50 am Making a Down-Payment on Change: Dream Act ..........................San Miguel
President Obama’s administration and Congress have maintained their focus on economic recovery and eliminating economic hardship for US residents. This workshop will focus on the need for comprehensive immigration reform and the steps needed to champion the passage of immigration legislation. The panelists will explore current pieces of legislation, including CIR legislation sponsored by Representative Luis Gutierrez from Illinois. Other topics will include the Dream Act, Ag Jobs, 287(g) agreements and more.

Moderator: Michelle Pelayo, National Vice President for Young Adults, LULAC
Panelists:
Diana Flores, Dallas Community College District, Trustee
Julieta Garibay, Director and Co-Founder, DREAM Campaign
Ramiro Luna, Vice-Chair, LULAC DREAM Act Task Force

2:30 pm to 3:30 pm Unite Arizona Against Anti-Immigrant Laws (SB1070) ...........................San Miguel
LULAC is firmly opposed to SB1070, an unconstitutional law which makes for the widespread profiling of Latinos in Arizona. In this workshop, human rights experts and Arizona legislators will discuss the effects SB1070 will have in the Latino community. Learn about the campaign to Unite Arizona in opposition to racial profiling and the boycott on SB1070.

Moderator: Mari Alvarado, LULAC Phoenix District Director
Panelists:
Ben Miranda Arizona House of Representatives
Richard Miranda, Arizona Senate
Peter Schey, Executive Director, Center for Human Rights


The League of United Latin American Citizens, the largest and oldest Hispanic membership organization in the country, advances the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence, health, housing and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.