From Harm to Hope: 2025 National Immigration Summit Highlights Pathways to Protection and Empowerment
The virtual gathering brought together national and state advocates, researchers, and community leaders for a timely conversation about how immigration policies are shaping children’s lives—and how advocacy can drive lasting change.
On September 25, CHILDREN AT RISK, in partnership with the Children Thrive Action Network (CTAN), hosted the 2025 National Immigration Summit: From Harm to Hope: Supporting Kids and Empowering Communities through Advocacy and Practice.
The summit began with a data presentation from Suma Setty, Senior Policy Analyst at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), who revealed that one in four children in the U.S. has at least one immigrant parent. Her insights highlighted that immigration policy is, at its core, a children’s issue—impacting access to education, health care, and economic stability
During the Federal Immigration Policy Panel, moderated by Wendy Cervantes, Director of Immigration and Immigrant Families at CLASP, experts Rachel Prandini (Immigrant Legal Resource Center), Anne Kelsey (Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights), and Esther Reyes (Protecting Immigrant Families) examined how federal policy changes continue to affect family well-being. Their discussion underscored the need for actionable, family-centered advocacy that ensures access to benefits and legal protections
Next, communications consultant Melissa Stek guided participants through a Messaging Workshop focused on talking about immigration with clarity, compassion, and impact. Using research-based strategies, the session encouraged advocates to lead with shared values and to frame immigrant children as children first
The final session, Holding the Line: State Advocates Standing with Immigrant Families, moderated by Linda Corchado, Senior Director of Immigration at CHILDREN AT RISK, featured inspiring voices from across the country. Panelists Liv Cook (Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment), Viridiana Marin (Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition), Alison Hard (National WIC Association), and Ninfa Amador (CASA) shared powerful examples of state-level advocacy—demonstrating how communities are pushing back against harmful legislation and advancing policies that promote safety and belonging
As the summit concluded, participants left equipped with tools, data, and renewed commitment to stand alongside immigrant children and families.
We thank our partners, speakers, and attendees for joining us in the movement from harm to hope.
To continue the conversation, join us for the upcoming 2025 STEM Summit: Connecting Education, Careers, and Communities on November 13, 2025.
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