WASHINGTON, April 15, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) in association with The Atlantic Magazine, will host an Atlantic Exchange discussion with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Jeffrey Goldberg, National Correspondent for the Atlantic, in Washington, DC on April 18th.
The discussion will focus on the role that immigrants play in building the economy. Mayor Emanuel has pledged to make Chicago the country's most immigrant friendly city, and he will discuss this effort and his vision for the city of Chicago.
"The USHCC is proud to partner with The Atlantic to facilitate an open and robust dialogue on one of our nation's most pressing issues," said USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez. "Mayor Emanuel has been a strong supporter of Chicago's immigrant communities. He understands the invaluable contributions immigrant-owned businesses make to our economy each year, and the USHCC looks forward to working with Mayor Emanuel in future efforts that support this vision."
Mayor Emanuel's policies have focused on improving the lives and fostering the entrepreneurial spirit of Chicago's immigrants. During his first 23 months in office, Mayor Emanuel has undertaken a series of initiatives to improve immigrant services and businesses like establishing the Office of New Americans; prohibiting agencies and police officers from inquiring into the immigration status of crime victims, witnesses, or anyone seeking City services; and launching the New Americans Small Business Series, a set of quarterly events that foster small business growth in immigrant communities.
Mayor Emanuel has also urged congress to take quick action on comprehensive immigration reform that will build our nation's economic competitiveness, create a fair pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants who live, work, and study here. The Mayor believes any federal action on immigration reform should reunite families; create accountability for employers; provide a fair pathway to citizenship for those who live and work here; secure our borders; and strengthen our economic competitiveness.
The Atlantic Exchange will take place Thursday, April 18 from 10:00 am – 11:30am at the Atlantic Media Company. The event is only open to invited guests and members of the press.
About the USHCC
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of over 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses across the United States that contribute in excess of $465 billion to the American economy each year. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers and business associations in the United States and Puerto Rico.