Arizona, comprehensive immigration reform, the rise of hate groups, and community-organizing in immigrant communities to be discussed at Conference in San Antonio

Washington, DC—A featured session on Arizona, a policy update on the status of immigration reform, a discussion on what community groups can do to organize, and even a special naturalization ceremony are just some of the events that will take place surrounding the issue of immigration as it takes center stage during the 2010 NCLR Annual Conference, set for July 10–13 in San Antonio, Texas at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, will bring together the most relevant national experts, policymakers, and activists in the field of immigration reform to its Annual Conference. Press may register to attend the NCLR Annual Conference at no cost at www.nclr.org/pressregistration.

In addition to immigration, the Conference will also offer sessions on education, foreclosures, green jobs, leadership, culture, health care implementation, and much more. For a complete schedule of events and information on speakers, please visit www.nclr.org/conference. All events are at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center unless otherwise noted:

Naturalization Ceremony (Special Event)
Friday, July 9, 1:00 p.m., Mexican American Unity Council, 2300 West Commerce, Suite 200 San Antonio, TX 78207; Phone: (210) 978-0500
Join the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a very special Naturalization Ceremony, when a group of military members will take the oath to become U.S. citizens. Mexican American Unity Council President and CEO Fernando Godinez and NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía will also be present at the ceremony—the unofficial kickoff to the Annual Conference.

Citizenship and Immigration Assistance Session (Special Session)
Saturday, July 10, 2010, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Bridge Hall
Citizenship is a critical step toward strengthening Latino civic engagement and empowering the Hispanic community in the United States. In collaboration with the ya es hora campaign, ConAgra Foods, and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), NCLR is hosting this session which will help eligible legal permanent residents fill out their citizenship applications. In addition, session participants will have an opportunity to receive one-on-one consultations with qualified attorneys on other immigration-related issues.

What’s the Matter with Arizona? (Featured Session)
Sunday, July 11, 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., Room 214CD
The culmination of anti-Latino and anti-immigrant legislation in Arizona was the passage of SB 1070, which allows state law enforcement officials to stop anyone whom they believe is reasonably suspect of being in the country illegally. Legal and political experts will discuss the political climate that gave rise to Arizona’s SB 1070, the ways in which civil rights and other organizations are posing political and legal challenges to the new law, how other states are following suit, and the law’s impact on the national debate on immigration policy.

Immigration-Related Workshops:

2010 Legislative Update: Has Washington Delivered for the Latino Community? (Workshop)
Saturday, July 10, 2010, 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., Room 217D
Hear up-to-date information about what the current administration and Congress have done to meet the needs of the Latino community at the national level, including immigration reform.

Keeping the Dream Alive: How to Help Undocumented Students Complete College (Workshop)
Sunday, July 11, 2010, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., Room 210B
Learn to help undocumented Latino youth prepare for college, focusing on five specific competencies that demonstrate how the immigrant community’s strengths serve many purposes.

The Immigration Crisis: The Price of Inaction (Workshop)
Sunday, July 11, 2010, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., Room 214A
Learn about the policy components that NCLR is urgently calling for and hear from advocates who have been engaged in pushing for reform; the prospects for achieving success this year will also be discussed.

Building Welcoming Communities: Improve the Climate and Recruit New Allies for Immigrants in Your Community (Workshop)
Tuesday, July 13, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m., Room 217B Listen to leaders from Welcoming America, a nationally acclaimed network that works to promote mutual respect and cooperation between foreign-born and U.S.-born Americans.

Hate Groups and Hate Crimes: How They Affect the Latino Community and How We Can Protect Ourselves Against Them (Workshop)
Tuesday, July 13, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m., Room 212B
Presented by Anti-Defamation League, this workshop will show attendees how groups such as the Ku Klux Klan have been able grow by echoing anti-immigrant sentiment.

The NCLR Annual Conference is the largest national gathering of its kind in the Latino community. Last year’s Conference in Chicago contributed millions of dollars to the city’s economy and attracted approximately 25,000 participants.

For more information, please visit www.nclr.org/conference | www.facebook.com/nationalcounciloflaraza | www.myspace.com/nclr2008 | http://twitter.com/nclr.

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