Aiming to create more empathy and understanding of the immigrant experience, the Latino-Jewish forum was held in Sacramento, CA, on April 17, showcasing Stories of Immigration while pushing back against political rhetoric targeting immigrants.
The Sacramento Bee reported that “many in the audience of 100 – including Jews, Latinos, Iraqis, and African and Asian Americans – were on the brink of tears after watching two films depicting the saga of unwanted immigrants: Jews fleeing Nazi Germany denied entry into the U.S. in 1939 and “dreamers,” undocumented teens from Mexico trying to make it in 21st-century America.”
“We really need to speak out against the national debate that has become very anti-immigrant, misleading and dehumanizing.”
Two of those featured “dreamers” — Oscar Vazquez and Lorenzo Santillan, who grew up in gang-ridden Phoenix neighborhood — attended the forum and their inspiring story was told in the film “Underwater Dreams.” As members of the Carl Hayden Community High School robotics club, the duo stunned rivals from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other top universities in a national robotics competition in 2004.
“These guys are so inspiring,” said forum member Maia Jaffe of the industry group the Northern California World Trade Center.
Foulis Peacock, the founder of Immigrant Business, said the growing array of immigrant-focused community initiatives and forums being held around the U.S. reinforce the immense value of immigrants to the economic and cultural vibrancy of American cities.
“Forums like this are wonderful because they help shine a much-deserved spotlight on these young dreamers, the next generation of immigrant entrepreneurs,” said Peacock. “Immigrants are the fastest-growing, most dynamic business market in the U.S., and we need to keep reminding everyone of that fact.”
The forum comes at an important time, according to Latina activist Deborah Ortiz. “We really need to speak out against the national debate that has become very anti-immigrant, misleading and dehumanizing,” she said. “Each of our communities feels the need to contribute to society.”
