NIIC 2020 Kicks Off Today with Dozens of Immigration Champions and Elected Officials from Across the Country
Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto, Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey; Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Deb Haaland, Ayanna Pressley, Grace Meng, Rashida Tlaib; Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Eric Garcetti, and Journalist Maria Hinojosa among Featured Guests at the Virtual Conference
WASHINGTON – The fully virtual National Immigrant Integration Conference (NIIC) starts TODAY, Dec. 8 and continues TOMORROW, Dec. 9, with dozens of elected officials and immigration and refugee leaders and advocates sharing a vital common space at a time when court rulings and a Biden/Harris administration agenda give immigrants and refugees new hope in a changing political landscape.
Among the most prominent participants in the virtual conference include: U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (NV) and Elizabeth Warren (MA); U.S. Reps. Pramila Jayapal (WA-7), Deb Haaland (NM-1), Ayanna Pressley (MA-7), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Jesús “Chuy” Garcia (IL-4), Grace Meng (NY-6), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-13); Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot; Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and many more.
This year’s virtual NIIC 2020 – New American Dreams, emceed by award-winning journalist and author Maria Hinojosa, is taking place just weeks prior to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who have promised sweeping changes from the Trump administration’s destructive policies, including those adversely impacting immigrants and refugees and eroding America’s standing as a leader on global human rights issues.
Among this week’s featured guest speakers are U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), who will appear in a session about the economy and recovery taking place at 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 9; U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-7), who will speak during opening-day events at 12 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 8, in a panel moderated by journalist and author Maria Hinojosa. Noted session panelists include: Enrique Fernandez of UNITE HERE; Charles Kamasaki of UnidosUS; Marielena Hincapié of the National Immigration Law Center; Nana Gyamfi of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration; Angelica Salas of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights; and Deepak Bhargava of the City University of New York.
At 5:30 p.m. ET today, on NIIC’s opening day, the conference will host a special session titled, Women’s Leadership for a New Era, which will explore the role of women in across social movements and in our civic leadership. Featured speakers include: Ai-jen Poo of the National Domestic Workers Alliance; Linda Sarsour of MPowerChange; Virginia Kase of the League of Women Voters; Greisa Martinez Rosas of United We Dream; Sayu Bhojwani of New American Leaders; Rosa Gomez-Herrin of Operation Restoration; Sulma Arias of Community Change; and Nicole Melaku of the National Partnership for New Americans.
The fully online forum provides an opportunity for greater accessibility, as advocates and leaders work towards implementing policies that will move relief, protections and opportunity for immigrants and refugees forward. The event, which is expected to draw more than 5,000 participants from across the nation, as well as six countries outside the U.S., is anchored by lead host organization, the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), and a robust cohort of national partners, including: the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Church World Service, Immigration Hub, National Immigration Law Center, Unidos US, UNITE HERE, World Education Services, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, and the New York Immigration Coalition.
NIIC 2020 kicks off at 12 p.m. ET today, Tuesday, Dec. 8. To ensure the event reaches the broadest possible audience, tickets to attend the entire virtual NIIC cost just $15.
Reporters who wish to cover the virtual gathering are asked to please register by emailing fernanda@communicationsshop.us to have viewing information shared directly. For digital conference sharing of the main event, email Cristian Solano Codova cristian@
To learn more about the NIIC 2020, visit the conference website here. Find more details on the NIIC schedule and program here. For information on the two-day invitation-only Black Virtual NIIC for Black and African Diaspora leaders hosted by BAJI, see here.
Find a complete list of elected officials speaking at the NIIC 2020 below.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8
MAINSTAGE: Democracy at a Crossroads, Movement on the Move
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U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA)
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U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-7)
MAINSTAGE: Black Resistance & Resilience: Beyond Solidarity
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U.S. Representative Deb Haaland (NM-1)
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U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA-7)
DEEP DIVE: Census Legacies: Sustaining Momentum and Building Inclusive Communities
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State Representative Sam Park (GA-101)
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Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Chicago, IL
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New York City Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs Bitta Mostofi
DEEP DIVE: Resetting the Course: Joint Administrative & Legislative Strategies for the First 100 Days
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U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)
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Judge Linda Hidalgo, Harris, TX
DEEP DIVE:Ground Game Reflections from the 2020 Field: Lessons Learned
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U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar (TX-16)
SPECIAL SESSION: Women’s Leadership for a New Era
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U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib (MI-13)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9
MAINSTAGE: Essential is All of Us: Rebuilding Our Economy & Communities in the Age of Covid
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U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (NV)
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U.S. Representative Steven Horsford (NV-4)
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U.S. Representative Norma Torres (CA-35)
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Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles, CA
MAINSTAGE: A New Story: From Inclusion to Belonging
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U.S. Senator Ed Markey (MA)
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U.S. Representative Judy Chu (CA-27)
DEEP DIVE: Overcoming Barriers to Healthcare Access in Our Communities
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U.S. Representative Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-4)
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Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston, TX
DEEP DIVE: Moving Power: State & Local Wins in the Age of Covid & Racial Justice Uprisings
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U.S. Representative Grace Meng (NY-6)
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Mayor Usha Reddi, Manhattan, Kansas
MIPEX SPECIAL SESSION: Global Integration Strategies
A look at how the U.S. and Canada foster immigrant integration with policy and what ways participation in society can be enhanced.
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U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)
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The National Partnership for New Americans is a national multiethnic, multiracial organization that represents 41 of the largest regional immigrant and refugee rights organizations in 37 states. Its members provide large-scale services for the communities, to leverage their collective power and expertise for a national strategy. More information about the New American Voters 2020 campaign is available at http://newamericanvoters2020.