U.S. Immigrant Leaders Gather to Create Innovative Plans for Faster, Deeper Integration of Immigrants
MIAMI, FL (PRWEB) November 08, 2013 -- Hundreds of leaders from diverse perspectives will come to Miami from across the country to participate in the sixth annual National Immigrant Integration Conference (NIIC) to be held from Nov. 17-19. Over 600 government, business and non-profit leaders will gather to define the future direction of immigrant inclusion and integration in America.
Plenary speakers include Henry Cisneros, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Dr. Brenda Dann-Messier, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Vocational & Adult Education; immigration reform champion Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL); Edwidge Danticat, American Book Award winner and author of The Dew Breaker; and many others found here integrationconference.org.
“This cross-sector gathering – at this moment and in this city – provides a real opportunity to highlight the vital contributions immigrants make every day to our state and nation,” said Maria Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) and host of the conference. “Participants will come away from this event inspired by the creative, powerful work represented by diverse sectors around the country. Together, we will be ready to tackle the challenges of building a stronger and more inclusive democracy.”
The conference is the signature event of the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), comprised of the nation’s 12 leading statewide immigrant advocacy organizations. Among other efforts the Partnership collectively directly assisted the naturalization of 23,725 of New Americans and their children since January 2012 saving our communities a total of $28,839,960 in fee waivers and legal assistance fees.
“Our combination of policy expertise and grassroots advocacy has repeatedly proven successful at the local, state and federal level. We are looking forward to opening paths of opportunity and realizing our vision of a federal office for New Americans,” said Eva Millona, NPNA co-chair and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. “This conference provides a space not only to learn and share best models and practices, but to agree on clear, ambitious strategies that lower barriers to citizenship and strengthen the fabric of America,” Millona said.
Conference track titles include: Maximizing Active Citizenship, Receiving Communities, Developing Human Capital, Protecting our Rights & Expanding our Freedoms and Capacity Building to make all of this happen.
There will be over 35 sessions, 150 presenters, 7 plenaries along with cultural aspects of the meeting, including engaging participants on Sunday night in organized dinner tours into the vibrant and resilient neighborhoods of Miami.
###
The National Immigrant Integration Conference is a signature event of the National Partnership for New Americans, which advances the integration and active citizenship of immigrants to achieve a vibrant, just, and welcoming democracy for all.
Alejandra Cardenas, Camino Public Relations, +1 (520) 624-7288, [email protected]
Share this article