Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Hosts Roundtable “Aggravated Felonies within U.S. Immigration Policy: Fracturing Families in the Name of Public Safety?”

Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA-31) Joins Distinguished Panel,
Moderated by CHCI Public Policy Fellows

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), the nation’s premier Hispanic youth leadership development and educational organization, announced its Public Policy Fellows will host a roundtable discussion on constitutional challenges facing the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), which orders the mandatory removal of legal permanent residents who have been convicted of aggravated felonies. The roundtable will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Room 121, Cannon House Office Building.

Expert panelists, including Hon. Xavier Becerra (CA-31) and officials from the U.S Department of Homeland Security, Families for Freedom, the Immigration Law Reform Institute, American Immigration Lawyers Association and The Rights Working Group will evaluate the constitutionality of curtailing the judicial review process for these residents; impacts of broadening the definition of an aggravated felony; and ramifications for families directly affected by removal proceedings.

Who:	Hon. Xavier Becerra (CA-31) Betsey DeWitt, Families for Freedom Michael Hethmon, Esq., Immigration Law Reform Institute Angela Joseph, Families for Freedom (invited) Robert Michael Magee, Criminal Alien Program, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Donna L. Lipinski, Esq., American Immigration Lawyers Association Jonathan Rust, Criminal Alien Division, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Kerri Sherlock, Esq., The Rights Working Group Moderators: Angélica M. Reza, J.D., CHCI 2006-2007 Law Fellow Adriana Salazar, CHCI 2006-2007 Graduate Fellow
When:	Wednesday, April 18, 2007, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where:	Room 121, Cannon House Office Building

CHCI’s nationally recognized nine-month Public Policy Fellowship, the nation’s first Hispanic Public Policy Fellowship Program, offers 24 college graduates an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the public policy area of their choice, with placements ranging from Capitol Hill to the federal government, nonprofit organizations and corporate America.
 

About Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c) (3) organization, provides leadership development programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders.  The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic Members of Congress, nonprofit leaders and corporate executives.  For more information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771 or visit www.chci.org.