NAKASEC joins the National Immigrant Integration Conference as first AAPI organizational co-host!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018

CONTACT:

SUSANA FLORES

(915) 525 2434

susana@communicationsshop.us

FERNANDA DURAND

fernanda@communicationshop.us

NPNA Announces National Immigrant Integration Conference in Arlington, Virginia Dec. 9 – 11

Largest Yearly Gathering of Immigration and Refugee Rights Leaders Nationwide Ready to Set “New American Dreams Platform,” a Common-Sense Approach for Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Communities

WASHINGTON  – After one of the most harrowing years in recent history for immigrant and refugee communities, the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) announces that the National Immigrant Integration Conference (NIIC) will be held from Dec. 9-11 in Arlington, Virginia. The NIICwill advance a “New American Dreams Platform,” a set of common-sense solutions at all levels of government for bolstering the contributions and dignity of immigrants and refugees in this country and helping these communities move from resistance to victory.

The conference is the largest of its kind in the United States and gives immigration and refugee advocates, policy experts, government officials and community leaders an opportunity to connect, learn from each other, discuss, promote, and share their work and vision. More than 1,200 experts are expected to attend the three-day event.

“This gathering matters now more than ever,” said Eva Millona, NPNA co-chair, Executive Director of the MIRA Coalition and a naturalized citizen. “The past two years have seen cruel attacks separating immigrant families; the devastation of our nation’s traditions of welcoming those fleeing violence, disaster, and religious persecution; and the ending of legal status for over a million young people and refugees who came to the U.S. fleeing war and climate disaster. Bullying rhetoric singles out specific religions, ethnicities, and countries. In contrast, NIIC 2018 celebrates a commitment to an inclusive democracy that welcomes, integrates and uplifts all refugees and immigrants, recognizing the vital contributions and impact they have on our nation.”

“As an Asian American organization that organizes within the fastest growing immigrant population in the country, the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) is excited to have the opportunity to strategize with others in the field and other sectors on the heels of the midterm elections,” said Becky Belcore, NAKASEC Co-Director.

The NIIC 2018 — New American Dreams: From Resistance To Victory —  is part of an effort by NPNA to drive policies that support immigrants and new Americans forward.

“The theme to this year’s NIIC is ‘From Resistance to Victory,’ which very much captures the moment our communities find themselves as we work towards creating lasting and sustainable victories that cement our rights and preserve our dignity,” said Gustavo Torres, CASA Executive Director  “CASA and its members are eager to share their experiences at the NIIC so we can map out a route together to a more just and inclusive nation.”

The New American Dreams NIIC 2018 will:

• Advance the “New American Dreams Platform” of policies and common sense solutions at the local, state, and federal level for supporting successful communities and immigrant and refugee lives with dignity.
• Support new American participation in our democracy, through civic integration, including activism, naturalization, voter registration, voting, the Census, and running for public office.
• Celebrate new American contributions to our nation’s economy, as workers, entrepreneurs, and consumers.

Now in its 11th year, New American Dreams: The National Immigrant Integration Conference 2018 (NIIC) is the largest conference on immigrant and refugee integration in the United States. It is the key annual gathering for policy makers, service providers, advocates, immigrant and refugee serving organizations, educators, municipal leaders, business and economic development groups, philanthropy, labor unions, faith leaders, academics, and the many other organizations that work for a successful, diverse nation. It is a collegial and intentionally generous space.

The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) anchors and is the lead host for the NIIC. In the past two years, NPNA partners have assisted over 50,000 immigrants to become U.S. citizens and pursue legal status. NPNA harnesses the collective power of 37 partners across 31 states. Its aim is to achieve a vibrant, just and welcoming democracy for all. NPNA is proud to partner with over 65 organizations from the corporate, philanthropic, labor and NGO sectors who support and power NIIC.

NIIC 2018 Sponsors: Annie E. Casey Foundation, Bank of America, Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), Citi Community Development, Four Freedoms Fund, International Rescue Committee, Language Line Solutions, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, New American Economy, The Beacon Fund, The Ford Foundation, The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), Services Employees International Union (SEIU) 32BJ, Wallace H. Coulter Foundation, Western Union, YMCA.
NIIC 2018 Steering Committee members. Advancement Project, African Communities Together, Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights & Empowerment, Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, National Network for Arab American Communities, Arlington County Board of Supervisors, Arlington, VA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC, Asian American Federation, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration at the University of Southern California, Center for Forced Migration Studies at the Buffett Institute of Global Studies, Northwestern University, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Global Cities and Immigration Program, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Church World Service, Council on American-Islamic Relation s, Wallace H. Coulter Foundation**, Fair Immigration Reform Movement**, Franciscan Action Network, Hana Center, HIAS, Immigrant Integration Lab at Boston College School of Social Work, International Rescue Committee, Korean Resource Center, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition**, Mi Familia Vota, Migration Policy Institute National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy, Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships, Montgomery County, MD, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, National Domestic Workers Alliance, National Korean American Service & Education Consortium**, National Partnership for New Americans**, New American Economy, New American Leaders, New York Immigration Coalition**, New VA Majority, OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates, Office of Immigrant Affairs, City of Philadelphia, PA, Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs, City & County of San Francisco, CA, One America, Political Research Associates, Race Forward, Refugee Center Online, Refugee Council USA, SEIU 32BJ**, South Asian Americans Leading Together, Strategic Partnerships and Office of Immigrant Affairs, City of San Jose, CA, The Commonwealth Institute, UFCW, UnidosUS, UndocuBlack, UNITE HERE, Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights, We Belong Together, Western States Center, Western Union**, Welcoming America, World Education Service/Imprint, YMCA of the USA
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**Executive Committee Member
**Conference Sponsor

For press credentials please contact: Susana Flores (915) 525 2434 susana@communicationshop.usor Fernanda Durand fernanda@communicationsshop.us

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Founded in 1994, the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)’s mission is to organize Korean and Asian Americans to achieve social, economic, and racial justice.  NAKASEC maintains offices in Annandale, Virginia, Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California. NAKASEC has affiliates in Chicago (HANA Center) and Los Angeles and Orange County (Korean Resource Center).