What Can California Teach America About Immigrant Integration

This free program will be a lunchtime discussion about the lessons of California’s efforts to integrate its immigrants.

California has exited a long period of high immigration, during which it struggled with whether and how to welcome newcomers. But other parts of the United States are still in the midst of reckoning with immigration and the questions it poses. What did California get right — and what did California do wrong — during its immigration wave? How many of the Golden State’s successes in integrating immigrants were a result of government and policy, and what is the product of our open culture and laissez-faire attitude about so many things? And what are the roles of nonprofits, businesses, schools, neighborhoods, and even pop culture in making immigrants into fully participating members of our communities? UC Immigrant Legal Services Center executive director María Blanco, Elk Grove Mayor Steve Ly, and California state director of Immigrant Integration, Daniel Torres visit Zócalo to examine the lessons of California’s efforts to integrate its immigrants.

Note: Lunch will be provided.