Join us at this year’s Immigrants’ List Luncheon at the AILA Annual Conference on Friday, June 19, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. PST in San Diego, California
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Join our Board members, led by Ira Kurzban, as we honor organizations, advocates, and members of Congress who are on the front lines of the fight for pro-immigration reform.
We are excited to announce that we will be honoring the following individuals and organizations:
ROB BONTA
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who immigrated to California from the Philippines as an infant, has long been an outspoken advocate for immigrant rights. While serving in the state legislature, Bonta authored a bill to require the teaching of the role of immigrants, especially the Filipino American community, in the farm labor movement, which was successfully passed into law. As attorney general, Bonta has continued to fight for immigrant rights, including suing the Trump Administration to protect birthright citizenship and healthcare for DACA recipients.
HELEN TAROKIC
Helen Tarokic is an immigration lawyer, member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and founder of Helen Tarokic Law in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is one of very few to be a Certified Immigration Law Specialist in the State of North Carolina. As a published author and frequent featured speaker, she educates other lawyers on T Visa practice to help trafficking and domestic abuse victims. From 2017-2026, she was selected to Super Lawyer.
JENN BUDD
Formerly a senior patrol agent with U.S. Border Control in San Diego and an intelligence agent at San Diego Sector Headquarters, Jen Budd resigned from her position to speak out against the rampant corruption and violence she endured on the job. Since 2015, she has spoken out against DHS and ICE, appearing on local and national news stations, community panels, podcasts, and radio. In 2022, she published a memoir entitled Against the Wall: My Journey From Border Patrol Agent to Immigrant Rights Activist about her experience.
DOUGLAS MOORE
Douglas Moore has dedicated his life to the labor movement, serving as Ohio State Director for the AFL-CIO, Assistant Regional Director for the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Deputy Administrator of the United Domestic Workers (UDW), and, since 2008, as Executive Director of the UDW. As Executive Director, Doug has tirelessly fought for domestic and home workers across California, and has championed the labor movement as a fight for justice for all. Doug has stood up without fear for immigrants who make a living in domestic work and against ICE terror in California.
REPRESENTATIVE DELIA RAMIREZ (IL-03)
Senator Hickenlooper has dedicated his life to public service. Previously serving as the Governor of Colorado and the Mayor of Denver, he continues to fight for fairness and justice in Washington, D.C. As a vocal opponent of the Trump Administration’s harmful immigration policies, Senator Hickenlooper has consistently fought for a more humane and fair immigration system. Most recently, he worked alongside Senator Michael Bennet to support legislation restricting ICE arrests in sensitive locations, such as schools and places of worship, thereby protecting the rights and dignity of immigrant communities.
REPRESENTATIVE JUDY CHU (CA-28)
Rep. Pettersen has emerged as a powerful voice for both parental and immigrant rights. Earlier this year, she made headlines for leading a bipartisan push to allow members of Congress on parental leave to vote by proxy, following the now-iconic moment of her casting a vote while holding her newborn.In addition to her advocacy for families, Rep. Pettersen is a steadfast champion of immigrant communities. Her office actively provides Know Your Rights materials to immigrant constituents and continues to advocate for a more humane, efficient, and fair immigration system, including efforts to secure increased funding for work permits and visa processing.
REPRESENTATIVE LUZ RIVAS (CA-29)
Congresswoman Diana DeGette is a strong advocate for immigrant communities. From calling for federal investigations into abuses in detention centers to hosting community roundtables with advocates and local leaders, she has consistently worked to protect immigrants from harmful policies. In the face of the Trump administration’s attacks on immigrant rights, Rep. DeGette has shown the kind of leadership we need in the ongoing fight to protect the dignity and safety of immigrant communities.
SENATOR ALEX PADILLA (D-CA)
Rep. Naquetta Ricks is the first African immigrant to serve in the Colorado Legislature, and her path to becoming a state representative is an inspiring story. Ricks was born in Liberia, and her journey to the U.S. began when her mother brought her to the United States as a child to escape political persecution. They sought asylum and settled in Aurora, Colorado. Drawing from her own experience, Ricks has become a passionate advocate for immigrants and refugees. She has played a key role in establishing the Immigration Legal Defense Fund, which provides grants to nonprofit organizations that offer legal advice, counseling, and representation for those facing immigration proceedings.
COLORADO IMMIGRANT RIGHTS COALITION (CIRC)
CIRC was founded in 2002 by a group of immigrant leaders, grassroots organizations, and advocates who recognized the need for a unified voice to stand for immigrant rights. Since then, CIRC has grown into a powerful coalition to further their mission of creating a just society where all people are treated with dignity and respect and have equal access to fair and work, housing, health care, and education. Through advocacy, community empowerment, education, and coalition building, CIRC has made meaningful strides in improving the lives of immigrants across Colorado.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY NETWORK (RMIAN)
Since 2003, RMIAN has maintained a consistent, daily presence at the Aurora detention center, delivering vital legal rights presentations, conducting individual intake interviews, and leading self-help workshops. RMIAN’s services provide crucial support for detained individuals who would otherwise face complex immigration proceedings without legal guidance or representation.
TENNESSEE IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE RIGHTS COALITION
We recognize the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition's (TIRRC) commitment to fighting alongside immigrant communities to consistently build immigrant and refugee power. We applaud the organizations’ recent campaign to stop the unconstitutional state bills that challenge the Supreme Court's decision in Plyer v. Doe. This work helped guarantee access to education for all children in Tennessee and throughout the United States, regardless of their immigration status.
Don’t miss this opportunity to honor those who fight for fair and humane immigration reform!
Or if you can’t make it to the event, then you can contribute here
On behalf of Immigrants’ List, thank you for your unwavering support!!