At the heart of this year’s Ibero State of the Latino Community Virtual Luncheon Oct. 15 was the personal story of Vanessa, a Colombian asylum seeker who came with her husband and children after her husband’s family was slaughtered by local insurgents.
Vanessa’s tear-filled recounting of her experiences as a pregnant asylum seeker in the U.S. making her way to Rochester through the help of Ibero brought home the theme of the annual luncheon, which sheds light on the issues facing the Latinx community in Rochester: the importance of welcoming and supporting asylum seekers, migrants and immigrants coming to Monroe and Albany counties.
Ibero’s impact and advocacy for immigrants lauded
During the virtual luncheon, Ibero President and CEO Angelica Perez-Delgado noted that the organization relocated 272 families like Vanessa’s over the past year in Monroe and Albany counties.
“Our families are working hard and are full of hope,” Perez-Delgado said.
She said that more than 348 of the adults Ibero has assisted have employment authorizations, and around 62 percent are working adults that are “striving and working toward self-sufficiency.”
Ibero seeks to address multiple and complex challenges facing immigrants, including language barriers that affect access to services and resources; advocacy for legal aid; relocation and housing assistance; and the need for safety, according to remarks made by Assembly Member for District 137 Desmond Meeks, Deputy Albany County Executive Michael McLaughlin and state Sen. Sandra Brouk of the 55th District.
Keynote speakers addressed local and national immigration issues
Cristobal Ramon, senior adviser on immigration for UnidosUS who was one of the luncheon’s keynote speakers, addressed areas of consideration regarding immigration.
He emphasized the positive economic impact of immigrants who have filled in labor shortages and who are expected to increase the tax base over the next 10 years. Ramon also stated that immigration law in the U.S. has not seen significant reform since 1990 and called for relief for long-residing undocumented workers by legalizing their statuses. He also called for border policies that are “firm, fair and free of cruelty.”
The New York Immigration Coalition, another of Ibero’s partners in supporting immigrants, was represented by keynote speaker Cassandra Bocanegra, manager of organizing and strategy for the Finger Lakes region.
Bocanegra stated that Ibero has worked closely with New York Immigration Coalition to welcome and support immigrants to Rochester who had been bused to New York City from other states.
Shedding light on positive movements forward for the immigrant community, she heralded the Language Access Act passed by the New York State Senate in April, that would extend the state’s current language-access policy. According to New York’s Office of General Services, under the language-access law, “all state agencies that interact with the public must provide interpretation services in any language with respect to the provision of agency services or benefits, and must translate vital agency documents into the top 12 most commonly spoken non-English languages” among those with limited proficiency in English.
Bocanegra also called for renewed attention to combating the “negative narratives” around immigrants, and she pledged continued partnership with such organizations as Ibero to fight for the rights, resources, legal services and language access that will help ensure a smooth transition for immigrants who are seeking a better life in the U.S. and the Finger Lakes in particular.
Awards recognize contributions to immigrant community
During the luncheon, Ibero distributed awards to those who have supported the organization’s mission and the Latino immigrant community.
This year’s President’s Award was given to Maria Ester Sanchez, executive assistant at Ibero, recognizing her long dedication to Ibero’s mission.
Yesenia Ramos-Torres received the Alicia Torres Award, which recognizes an individual who demonstrates a lifelong dedication to the well-being of Latinos and others in Rochester and surrounding areas.
Finally, Maria Delgado was honored with the Unsung Hero Award for her personal and powerful work as the community resource advocate with the Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club of Rochester, as well as her other volunteer work supporting and uplifting Ibero’s Community Resource Center and the local Latino community.
