8 years ago, the US stood well divided, with republicans demanding a wall be built along the Mexico-US border, and the democrats opposing it. Its purpose was to curb the illegal immigration, but they are still not satisfied as republican politicians are trying to enforce stronger anti-immigrant laws.    

In a media briefing on January 26th, hosted by Ethnic Media Services, a panel of experts shed light on the multifaceted issues surrounding immigration, providing valuable insights into the current state of affairs and the challenges ahead.

Speakers

  • Angela Kelley, Chief Advisor, Policy and Partnerships for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the American Immigration Council (AIC)
  • Vanessa Cardenas, Executive Director of America’s Voice, a Washington DC- based non-profit advocating for immigrant rights
  • Esmeralda Flores, Southern Region Policy Manager at CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles 

Angela Kelley commenced the briefing by delving into the ongoing Senate negotiations. She highlighted the bipartisan conversations aimed at moving a spending bill forward to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. 

Kelley emphasized the significance of understanding the changing numbers at the border and the political dynamics influencing the immigration discourse. She stressed the need to comprehend the limitations of the immigration system and the underlying politics driving the conversation.

Vanessa Cardenas expressed concerns about the broader implications of the immigration debate. She emphasized that the issues at hand extend beyond immigrants, posing a danger and threat to all. 

Cardenas urged for a clear-eyed approach to the troubling situation, emphasizing the importance of informing the community and providing accurate information, particularly in the context of the upcoming election. Her insights underscored the far-reaching impact of immigration policies and the need for informed and proactive engagement.

Esmeralda Flores provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced by immigrant communities. She highlighted the integration of new arrivals into the workforce and the prevalence of negative rhetoric and misinformation surrounding immigration. 

Flores emphasized the importance of demystifying misconceptions and collaborating with local and partner organizations to address the misinformation. Her insights shed light on the critical role of community engagement and collaboration in dispelling myths and supporting immigrant integration.

The discussions in the briefing underscored the complexities of immigration policy and the need for a multifaceted approach to address the challenges at hand. Angela Kelley’s emphasis on the political dynamics and limitations of the immigration system highlighted the intricate interplay of policy and politics in shaping the immigration landscape. 

Vanessa Cardenas’ call for informed community engagement and Esmeralda Flores’ focus on dispelling misinformation highlighted the critical role of accurate information and community collaboration in addressing the challenges faced by immigrant communities.

The insights shared in the briefing resonate with the broader discourse on immigration, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted issues at hand. The discussions underscored the importance of informed and proactive engagement, dispelling misinformation, and addressing the broader implications of immigration policies.

As the immigration landscape continues to evolve, the insights from the briefing serve as a timely reminder of the complexities and challenges inherent in the immigration discourse. The call for informed community engagement, dispelling misinformation, and understanding the political dynamics surrounding immigration policies resonates as a clarion call for proactive and collaborative efforts to address the multifaceted issues at hand.

In conclusion, the media briefing provided valuable insights into the complexities of immigration, highlighting the need for informed and proactive engagement, dispelling misinformation, and understanding the broader implications of immigration policies.

The discussions underscored the intricate interplay of policy and politics in shaping the immigration landscape and emphasized the critical role of community collaboration in addressing the challenges faced by immigrant communities. As the immigration discourse continues to evolve, the insights from the briefing serve as a timely reminder of the multifaceted nature of immigration issues and the need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to address them.