Champaign-Urbana Immigration - Realities & Responses: A Conversation With New American Welcome Center Leadership

New American Welcome Center Director Francisco Baires and Associate Director E. Daniela Vergara on immigration realities and responses in Champaign-Urbana. Vergara walked through a NAWC timeline from a YMCA of the USA grant and the center's 2017-2018 founding through Department of Justice accredited representation, the Immigrant Relief Fund, and 2021 new arrivals. Baires recalled his 2012 AmeriCorps-era work here and a coalition that won a detained mother's release. Audience Q&A covered know-your-rights work, volunteering, funding pressure and the local welcoming plan; Jim Hinterlong also spoke. Fall 2025 Friday Forum x Conversation Cafe series, co-hosted by Diversity & Social Justice Education and the University YMCA.