You are invited to join the virtual Congressional briefing, What’s Next? The Future of Immigration Policy – 2021 and Beyond, where Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) will chart the top priorities for the next four years with a panel of migration policy experts and thought leaders.
Over the last four years, we have seen families separated, children kept in cages and expelled from the border without due process, the dismantling of the refugee resettlement program, and increased fees and backlogs to immigration processes that have discouraged many from navigating the U.S. immigration system. As one of the largest faith-based organizations with over 80 years of experience serving the refugee and immigrant community, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service knows the following four years are critical to rebuilding the American tradition of welcome and refuge.
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is the largest faith-based nonprofit dedicated to serving vulnerable immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees in the U.S. We resettle refugees, reunite children and parents, and rekindle the American Dream.
MEET THE EXPERT PANEL
Jon Baselice
Jon Baselice currently serves as the Executive Director of Immigration Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in June 2014 and advocates for sensible immigration policies before Congress and the executive branch agencies.
Julia Gelatt
Julia Gelatt is a Senior Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, working with the U.S. Immigration Policy Program. Her work focuses on the legal immigration system, demographic trends, and the implications of local, state, and federal U.S. immigration policy.
Jose Antonio Tijerino
Jose Antonio Tijerino is president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, a national nonprofit focused on education, workforce, leadership and culture through innovative programs including in the tech and all STEM fields, entrepreneurship, finance, media and entertainment, social justice, among others.
Lee Williams
Lee Williams is the Vice President for Programs at Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Before coming to LIRS, Lee was Senior Vice President at the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. During his tenure at USCRI, Lee was responsible for its refugee, unaccompanied children, and human trafficking victim assistance programs, MIS, and field office operations.
Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, moderator
Krish O’Mara Vignarajah is the President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service – a former refugee herself, Krish served in the Obama White House as Policy Director to Former First Lady Michelle Obama, and at the State Department as Senior Advisor under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of State John Kerry.