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A Message from President & CEO Sylvia Puente

Latinos on the Move 2024!

Latinos on the Move will take place on Friday, October 11 at the Palmer House Hilton. Early bird rates are available, so register today!

Latinos on the Move, the Latino Policy Forum’s flagship event, puts a spotlight on pressing issues relevant to the Latino community to bring them to the forefront of the public agenda and celebrates community leaders who have positively impacted and uplifted our community.


There is still time to nominate an individual or organization for our Champion of Change award. This year we will be honoring individuals or organizations who have risen to the occasion to make migrants and asylum seekers feel welcomed in Illinois. The deadline to submit your nomination is Friday, June 28th. The nomination form is available here.

Immigration

On Tuesday, June 18th, President Biden announced an executive order that will extend protections and work permits to certain long-term undocumented spouses and stepchildren of US citizens, as well as some DACA recipients and DREAMers. This is the most significant action on immigration since the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, made possible thanks to the hard work of community leaders, immigration advocates, elected officials, and other members of the Work Permits for All Coalition. Read our press release for additional information.


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Other Immigration Updates

Work Permits for All

President & CEO, Sylvia Puente and Forum staff joined Mayor Brandon Johnson, community, business, labor and faith leaders to call for work permits for long-term residents on April 4th, 2024.


Associate Director of External Affairs, Marlen Mendoza and Immigration Policy Analyst, Nina Sedeño traveled to Springfield for the last week of the legislative session to advocate for funding to support newcomer students, shelter for new migrants, Work Permits for All resolution, and other Forum legislative priorities.


In May 2024, Mayor Brandon Johnson organized a coalition of over 40 bipartisan Mayors around the country to urge President Biden to grant work permits to long term residents including spouses of US citizens, DREAMers and other long-term residents. Read the full letter here; full Politico story here.


Resource Available to Protect Noncitizen Clients From Deportation

The Immigration Division of the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender aims to protect noncitizen clients from deportation through two main functions. First, the division works with assistant public defenders representing clients before the Circuit Court of Cook County to ascertain potential adverse immigration consequences arising from their Cook County cases and recommend alternate resolutions. Second, in early 2022 our immigration attorneys began to represent non-citizens, including current and former public defender clients, before the Chicago Immigration Court.


For more information on how to access this resource, please refer to the factsheets on their website. For questions, you can reach the office via email and at 312-603-0636.


Click here to learn more about the Defenders for All Coalition and the importance of universal representation.


Public Charge Reminder

Under the most recent public charge rule, immigrants looking to legalize their status can access many public benefit programs like food stamps, health care coverage, or housing assistance, without jeopardizing their immigration applications. Visit our website for more information.


Presentations

In April 2024, the Forum's Vice President of Education Policy & Research, Dr. Rebecca Vonderlack-Navarro and Immigration Policy Analyst, Nina Sedeño presented to the University of Chicago's To & Through Project to provide valuable context on some of the experiences and documentation pathways for the current newcomers in Chicago and by educators from two neighborhood CPS schools-- Brighton Park Elementary and North-Grand High School. View a recording of the event here.


Awards and Recognitions

The Latino Policy Forum received the National Immigrant Justice Center’s Community Change Award on June 4th, 2024.

Housing

Did you know doubled-up living –or living with others due to financial necessity– is the most prevalent form of homelessness among Latinos? Here at the Latino Policy Forum, we want to better understand doubled-up living to find solutions for those in our community. ⁠

If you think you have experience with doubled-up living, we want to hear from you. Click here to share your story anonymously and to learn more.

Education

Illinois is the first state in the nation to extend protections to all children birth to 5 regardless of immigration status. We were honored to attend the ceremony where Governor Pritzker signed SB1 into law, establishing the IL Department of Early Childhood, which will streamline agency functions and funding to be more responsive to the needs of families across our communities.

Other Education Updates

In March 2024, the Forum hosted an event with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO, Pedro Martinez for an update on how Latino students are doing in CPS. The Forum’s Community Engagement Manager, Brian Herrera and Senior Policy Advisory, Aylainah Garibay co-wrote a blog on this informative event. In their post, they highlight how CPS’ efforts to improve student performance have led to improved outcomes for Latino and English Learner students. Read the blog here.


In an op-ed published by the Chicago Sun-Times, The Forum’s Director of Higher Education Policy, Jennifer Juárez, Ph.D. and VP of Education Policy & Research, Rebecca Vonderlack-Navarro, Ph.D. explore the specific challenges that Latino students are experiencing within the state and what academic support is needed to support our growing Latino population. Learn more here.


Over the school year, more than 1900 families and caregivers participated in interactive issue education in Spanish and English on topics including: the benefits of early childhood, the importance of mental health and wellbeing support, and tools for advocacy.


Director of Higher Education Policy, Jennifer Juarez, Ph.D., testified before the Illinois Joint Higher Education Appropriation Committee on May 9th regarding recommendations made to the General Assembly by the Illinois Commission on Equitable Public University Funding. The Forum proposes that the formula consider undocumented and incoming transfer students at public universities. It also advocates for transparency and accountability for funds allocated to programs and support services that facilitate Latino student enrollment, retention, and graduation.

Multicultural Leadership Academy


In June, the Multicultural Leadership Academy (MLA) held two information sessions where MLA alums shared information about the program, the application process, and their personal experiences during and after MLA.


The first session featured Timothy Jones, Keith Lewis, Marcus Samuel, and Jose Alvarez, and Corey Stevenson. You can view this recording here.


The second session featured Rocio Pulido, Jaunita Pye, Elizabeth Cervantes, and Sasha Peña. You can view this recording here.


Registration for the 2025 cohort will open in the fall. Please complete this interest form if you are interested in receiving information about MLA, including application information.

Other MLA Updates

On April 27th, 2024, the MLA held their 3rd workshop which included a funders panel at Claretian Associates. The panel was moderated by MLA alum, Ayom Siengo of Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy. Panelists who represent grant-making organizations, Bryan Stokes (McCormick Foundation, Cindy Camacho (JP Morgan Chase) and Jessica Taylor (Steans Family Foundation), discussed their work and how it impacts the MLA participants.


On May 25th, the MLA organized their 4th workshop, where participants took professional headshots. Participants were encouraged to use photos for their LinkedIn accounts, bios, and resumes. Participants also spent time in Affinity Groups developing and planning for their graduation presentations.

Civic Engagement

Latino Unity Day

In May, we had over 400 community leaders, advocates, students and policymakers attend this year’s Latino Unity Day. The event featured in-depth panels and workshops, a rally at the Illinois State Capitol, and remarks from community leaders, deputy governors, members of the Illinois Latino Caucus, and Governor J.B. Pritzker.

Springfield Agenda

After the Governor’s FY25 state budget was approved last month, the Forum updated our 2024 Springfield Agenda to include developments on important policy and budgetary priorities we advocated for and followed. View the updated Springfield Agenda here.