Join us at this year’s Immigrants’ List Luncheon at the AILA Annual Conference on Friday, June 20th, 2025, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. MT at the Gaylord Rockies Resort in Aurora, Colorado!
During this year’s luncheon, we look forward to once again recognizing pro-immigration champions, including advocates, policymakers, and rising youth leaders who are making a meaningful difference in the fight for a more just and humane immigration system.
See our honorees below!
BRADLEY WHITFORD
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Activist and actor Bradley Whitford, most known for his iconic roles in The West Wing, The Handmaid Tales, and Get Out, is a vocal advocate for immigrant rights, participating in efforts to protect and support immigrant communities.
LEE GERLERNT​
Lee Gelernt, a nationally recognized civil rights attorney and immigrant activist with the ACLU, has led many significant legal battles to protect immigrant communities. Most notably, He was at the forefront of the national class-action lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s cruel and unprecedented policy of family separation at the U.S.-Mexico border, which forced the government to reunite thousands of children with their parents.
MO GOLDMAN
Mo Goldman has devoted his entire legal career to advocating for immigrant communities and defending their constitutional rights. Mo’s commitment to immigrant rights extends beyond the courtroom. Now running for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District seat, he aims to bring his advocacy to Capitol Hill and continue the fight for humane, just immigration policies at the national level.
SENATOR JOHN HICKENLOOPER (D-CO)
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 BRITTANY PETERSEN (CO-07)
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 DIANA DEGETTE (CO-01) ​
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.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE NAQUETTA RICKS (CO-40)
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.
COLORAO 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.
