UNA-USA,SFV chapter presents: Human Rights Day – Creating Immigrant Pathways

 

Event Report: Human Rights Day – Creating Immigrant Pathways

Report and Video by Dr. Soraya Fallah, Vice President of UNA-USA San Fernando Valley Chapter

Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Time: 7:00 PM

Platform: Zoom (Meeting ID: 852 0385 4195 | Passcode: 444510)

Event Link: https://una-socal.org/events/december-10-2024-un-human-rights-day/

Chapter Website: https://una-socal.org/san_fernando_valley/

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As Vice President of the UNA-USA San Fernando Valley Chapter, I co host and cofacilitate our virtual celebration of Human Rights Day on December 10, 2024. The theme of the event, Creating Immigrant Pathways, was designed to explore the legal pathways to immigration in the United States and to celebrate the diversity and contributions of immigrant communities.

The event attracted hundreds of attendees from various backgrounds, including community members, educators, students, and immigration advocates, who gathered to reflect on the intersection of human rights and immigration.

We two distinguished guest speakers: Carl Shusterman, a respected immigration lawyer, and Stephanie Dinh, a high school senior and co-founder of Creating Legal Immigration Pathways (CLIP).

I introduced Stephanie, and I shared the following words:

“Today, on Human Rights Day, as part of our program, we will hear from a highly motivated and resourceful student who has exemplified values of equal opportunity in immigration through her work to support undocumented individuals in the San Fernando Valley. She has taken the initiative to organize a group of her peers to help immigrants learn about pathways to citizenship.

Before I pass the floor to her, let me introduce her.

Stephanie Dinh is a high school senior at Granada Hills Charter High School and the child of Vietnamese immigrants. Her upbringing has given her invaluable experience in translation and citizenship services. During her junior year, recognizing the lack of personalized support for immigrants in the San Fernando Valley, Stephanie co-founded Creating Legal Immigration Pathways (CLIP) to provide tailored assistance for immigrants navigating the journey to citizenship. From translating materials into multiple languages to developing a curriculum that guides migrants through the naturalization process, Stephanie has worked tirelessly over the past year to make immigration more accessible and equitable.

As we celebrate Human Rights Day, let us be inspired by the impactful work of young leaders like Stephanie, who are paving the way for a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Stephanie and CLIP remind us that the right to dignity, equality, and opportunity should belong to everyone—regardless of where they come from or their immigration status.

Welcome, Stephanie! I’ll let her share her inspiring story with you.”

 

Carl Shusterman, a prominent immigration attorney and former U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) attorney, then took the floor to provide an expert overview of the legal immigration pathways available in the U.S. His presentation covered family-based, employment-based, and humanitarian immigration processes, shedding light on the challenges immigrants face when navigating the complex legal system. He also shared inspiring success stories and emphasized the importance of policy reform to improve the immigration process.

Stephanie Dinh followed, sharing her journey and the powerful work CLIP is doing to support immigrants. Stephanie’s initiative to translate educational resources into multiple languages, design workshops, and build community partnerships to promote naturalization is truly inspiring. Her story is a powerful reminder of how youth-led efforts can drive meaningful change, and it was a privilege to hear from such a dedicated young leader.

 

During the interactive Q&A session, I was able to address a comment made by Carl Shusterman regarding his opinion on the immigration system, specifically his thoughts on "special skills people" and the need to reevaluate the diversity lottery and family-based immigration. In response, I brought up the critical importance of recognizing the rights of individuals with disabilities and women, especially those from countries where education is not accessible to all. I emphasized that immigration policy should not solely prioritize highly skilled (abled body, able mind)-based factors, but also consider the social and human rights challenges faced by these vulnerable populations. Ensuring that all individuals have access to education, healthcare, and a dignified life is essential in creating a more just and equitable society.

 

The event concluded with insightful reflections and a commitment to continue advocating for immigrant rights and human dignity. I am grateful to Carl Shusterman and Stephanie Dinh for their thought-provoking presentations and to all participants for their engagement.

A recording of the event is available for those who wish to revisit the discussion or share it with others. For more details, visit the event page or the chapter website.

We look forward to continuing our work towards a world where human rights and pathways to opportunity are accessible to all.

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed by the speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent those of the United Nations Association or its chapters.