The Georgia-Alabama chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and AT&T Corp. are to be among the recipients of the Latin American Association’s annual “compañeros” awards on Thursday, April 18, at a luncheon to be held at the Georgia Aquarium downtown.
Geraldine Galue, the association’s development coordinator, told Global Atlanta that the AILA’s chapter would receive the “outstanding public service award” for providing community and pro-bono legal services to the association including assisting with completing 235 DACA applications.
The DACA applications are for “deferred action for childhood arrivals,” a program of the Department of Homeland Security for “low priority” cases involving undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. If approved, they may remain in the U.S. for at least two years and may receive authorization for employment.
The half dozen requirements for approval include being 31 years old or less; continuous residence in the U.S. since June 15, 2007; entry without inspection before June 15, 2012; enrollment in school; honorable discharge from the Coast Guard or U.S. Armed Forces and no felony convictions.
Thirty AILA attorneys partnered with the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials and the Asia-Pacific Bar Association on the project.
Charles Kuck, managing partner of Kuck Immigration Partners LLC and Sarah Owings, assistant attorney at Antonini & Cohen Immigration Law Group are to accept the award on behalf of the AILA.
Ms. Galue said that AT&T would receive the “exemplary corporate leadership” award for its involvement in the company’s educational programs through its Hispanic/Latino Association, known as HACEMOS.
HACEMOS develops and supports technology education programs in communities that receive AT&T services. AT&T also supports the Latin American Association’s Latino Youth Leadership Conference, which in 2012 attracted 1,700 participants.
Ramiro Martinez, president of the Atlanta chapter of HACEMOS, is to receive the award on behalf of the organization. Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T Mobility, also is to be recognized for his involvement with the Latin American Association, but he will not be able to attend because of a conflict in his schedule.
In addition, Andrew Griffin Jr., who has been volunteering for the association’s after-school and summer programs at Sequoyah Middle School for the past two-and-a-half years, working with students, staff and teachers, is to receive the “outstanding community leadership and service award.”
Brianda Cabrera-Medrano, 23, who was born in Veracruz, Mexico, and is a student at Kennesaw State University where she is majoring in accounting and pursuing a minor in finance, is to receive the “perseverance award.”
To learn more about the luncheon and to register, click here.
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