Building One Community Held Its 7th Annual Colloquium Last Week

Building One Community —The Center for Immigrant Opportunity (B1C) held its 7th Annual Colloquium on September 8th at The Stamford Yacht Club.

B1C’s Executive Director, Anka Badurina, PhD, welcomed everyone sharing highlights and updates. She pointed out how quickly the new flagship location at 417 Shippan Avenue had been up and running just days after the move. She also explained that as an organization, they are excited to keep growing their reach to support immigrants on both the east and west sides of Stamford. “Participation has been up by more than 15% in just a few short months following the move,” said Badurina.

After a beautiful reception outside, more than 150 guests gathered to hear esteemed panelists Muzaffar Chishti, Michael Hernandez, Kathryn Libal, Ph.D., and moderator Jenn Williams, Esq, share their profound expertise and personal experiences around forced migration.

The moderator opened the panel discussion by explaining “push” and “pull” factors that affect migration. “Simply put, “push” factors are stressors that make living in one place difficult, if not impossible, to live there. “Pull” factors are often opportunities that pull people to a new location, whether it be for economic opportunities, reunification with family, or the promise of a better life,” said Jennifer Williams, Esq., Removal Defense Director from B1C.

Kathy Libal, Ph.D., discussed push factors like the violence that we see worldwide and its effects on migration. She also shared the importance of the role of private partnerships to help excel in refugee settlement.

Muzaffar Chishti shared his expertise around immigration policy, explaining how to improve current policies with built-in flexibility systems so that employment-based immigration levels adjust to periods of higher and lower needs depending on the labor market and economic conditions. He discussed how current immigration policies are often mismatched with market forces and demographic realities. These mismatches have led to serious problems with the immigration system.

We also heard from Michael Hernandez, who offered insight into how the Stamford community assisted him while integrating into society. He shared the importance of organizations working together to support immigrants' integration and how schools played a significant role in his life. He encouraged attendees to keep aiding organizations like B1C that support immigrants.

The vibrant panel discussion around forced migration left everyone eager to continue to collaborate as a community supporting immigrant integration. A video of the entire panel discussion is available on youtube - click here.

Key Panel Participant Bios:

• Kathryn Libal, Ph.D., is Director of the Human Rights Institute and an Associate Professor of Social Work and Human Rights at the University of Connecticut. Since 2007, she has taught at the School of Social Work and Human Rights Institute, specializing in human rights, refugee resettlement, and social welfare.
• Muzaffar Chishti, a lawyer, is a Migration Policy Institute (MPI) Senior Fellow and Director of the MPI office at New York University School of Law. His work focuses on U.S. immigration policy at the federal, state, and local levels; the intersection of labor and immigration law; immigration enforcement; civil liberties; and immigrant integration.
• Michael Hernández is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a dual degree in Political Science and Economics in the Honors Program, with minors in English and Urban and Community Studies. Off-campus, he has worked on political campaigns, the U.S. Census, the Stamford Housing Affordability Study, and the historic Afford to Dream Act.
• Jennifer Williams, Esq., is B1C’s Immigration Removal Defense Director and moderated our panel. Since 2007, Jennifer has practiced as an attorney specializing in immigration law, focusing on removing defense representation cases involving the intersection of criminal-immigration law.

Building One Community offers special events throughout the year. Their next big event is a Community Day in Stamford on September 18th from 11:00 – 2:00. To learn more about B1C and its events, programs, and services, visit www.b1c.org or call 203.675.8585.

About Building One Community

Building One Community (also known as B1C) is a nonprofit organization established in 2011 that provides a comprehensive resource center for immigrants in the greater Stamford area. The mission of Building One Community is to advance the successful integration of immigrants and their families. Since its inception, the organization has served over 13,700 immigrants from 116 countries. B1C provides free services that educate, employ, empower, and engage immigrants and the broader community. Programs offered include ELL (English Language learning) classes, family and individual support services, immigration legal services, and workforce development programs. Community volunteers, donors, and partnerships are an essential component of the growth of Building One Community. More information may be found at www.B1C.org.