The session will allow immigrants and persons with interest in the immigration community to know more about the available laws and policies to assist the immigration community in the US, and will serve as information of the most recent changes in the US immigration policies. We will empower the LULAC members with information about their rights in the US in regards to immigration law. These interactions also known as KYR will allow LULAC members the opportunity to make a positive impact in their communities.

Kelvin Rosado is an immigration attorney licensed to practice in Maryland, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Immigration Courts nationwide. With over a decade of experience, he practices removal defense, family-based, employment-based, and humanitarian-based immigration law. His offices are located in Los Angeles-Glendale, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Maryland. Before establishing his firm in 2022, Mr. Rosado served as managing attorney at a multistate immigration law firm in Los Angeles and as supervising attorney at a prominent non-profit organization in the Baltimore-Washington DC area. In these roles, he directly supervised multiple attorneys and mentored pro-bono attorneys. Mr. Rosado is a frequent guest on Univision, Telemundo, and Vision Latina networks, where he discusses the rights of immigrants in the U.S. He is also an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

In this session, members of the Californians for Pesticide Reform movement will delve into the recent history of the Latina/o-led environmental justice movement, highlighting its critical role in advocating for protection against toxic pesticides prevalent in California’s agricultural regions. This discussion will cover key events and milestones that have shaped the movement, emphasizing grassroots organizing efforts and community engagement.

Angel joined CPR core staff in 2017 after working for the coalition for more than three years as a staff member of Lindsay-based non-profit El Quinto Sol de América. He became organizing director in 2020 and co-director in 2022. A Tulare County native, Angel graduated from UCSC with a B.A. in Latin American & Latino Studies and Politics. He is the founder and coordinator of the local coalition Tulare County Coalition Advocating for Pesticide Safety (TC-CAPS).

Yanely joined the CPR team in October 2021 as a community organizer for the Monterey County Area, after five+ years as an active volunteer and community leader with our Monterey Bay-based coalition Safe Ag Safe Schools. In 2023, she became the regional coordinator for our organizing efforts across the Central Coast. She began her advocacy work in 2016 after being elected as a council member for the city of Greenfield. She devoted 10 years of her life as a teacher in early childhood education, and more recently, works as an In Home Support Caregiver for senior citizens. She’s glad to be part of the team!

Cristina Gutierrez, a dedicated advocate for social and environmental justice, joined the CPR team in June 2024. As a mother of four daughters, she is deeply rooted in the Central Valley, where she has devoted her life to uplifting underserved communities, particularly in Fresno and the surrounding areas.Cristina’s passion for advocacy began at an early age, driven by her personal experiences as a farmworker. Her deep understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations has guided her work on key campaigns, including AB-1864, 1-3 D, and Notification. With a strong connection to the people she serves, she is committed to making a lasting impact by empowering families and fostering positive change in the Central Valley.

To inform the public about proposed or enacted Medicaid cuts, explain the implications, and mobilize community response.

Dr. Ilan Shapiro is the Senior Vice-President and Chief Health Correspondent and Medical Affairs Officer for AltaMed Health Services. He supports strategies for external health communications, advocacy, and community relations. As the Chief Health Correspondent for AltaMed, Dr. Shapiro works closely with the Public Affairs, Community Affairs, Government Relations, and Civic Engagement departments to help expand community health and wellness initiatives. Dr. Ilan Shapiro has been with AltaMed since 2016, and has made a significant impact on the organization and the greater communities it serves. He is a tireless advocate for health care equality, with a deep affinity for innovation and public health policy, especially relating to the Latino population. In his prior role as AltaMed’s Medical Director of Health Education and Wellness, he helped to create and implement programs and services that expanded access to care and improved outcomes for the community. Between 2016–2017, he also served as Medical Director for Behavioral Health, and was instrumental in strengthening the practice and expanding AltaMed’s offerings. Dr. Shapiro has been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic as a leading health expert, providing care, education and information. He has become a trusted media resource for both regional and national news outlets, including CNN, NBC, MSNBC, Telemundo, and Univision. At AltaMed, he is the face of our Community Affairs digital segment Conversaciones Vitales. Born from the pandemic, the episodes seek to educate the community and prevent any disinformation around important health topics as well as provide reliable information around common health care concerns. Dr. Shapiro’s background includes award-winning public health work, often on the international stage. After graduating as Honorary Valedictorian with his medical degree, he worked for the Mexican Secretary of Health as the liaison between Mexico and the World Health Organization (WHO). He has created binational public health programs to improve the health of Hispanic communities on both sides of the border. In 2011, he was invited to join the White House Hispanic Policy Group and help educate and raise awareness for the Affordable Care Act. Dr. Shapiro is also a recent recipient of the Othli Award, an honor presented by the Consul of Mexico to recognize individuals working to improve the lives of Mexican nationals living in the United States and abroad. Prior to joining AltaMed, Dr. Shapiro held numerous health and leadership roles that focused on traditionally underserved communities. He spent five years working with migratory agricultural workers’ families and the homeless in Southwest Florida and as a pediatric resident at Mount Sinai Children’s Hospital in Chicago. He believes these roles sparked his passion for meaningful, community-focused work. In addition to his work at AltaMed, Dr. Shapiro serves on the Board of Governors at L.A. Care Health Plan and the Gasol Foundation.

In this interactive workshop, Empowering Leadership Through Storytelling, we’ll guide you through the powerful process of discovering and telling your own leadership story. What defines a leader? What obstacles must they overcome? And how can your personal journey inspire others? Whether you’re drawn to writing a short story, novel, screenplay, or stage play, we’ll walk you through every step—from crafting a compelling logline to developing a finished piece. Is it easy? Maybe not. But it will be worth it.

Mr. William A. Virchis was born in Mexico City on Mother’s Day to Roman J. Virchis and Margarita Olvera Virchis. His father was an international sales manager for Aeronaves de Mexico, and his mother a famous Spoken Word Poet. He graduated from Chula Vista Junior High, Chula Vista High School, Southwestern College, San Diego State University and did post graduate work at the University of Mexico City, Mexico. He holds an AA degree from Southwestern College, B.A. and a M.A. degree from San Diego State University, a Community College Administrative Credential, a Career Educational Technical Administrator Credential and a Regional Occupational Credential. Mr. Virchis was the first Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Director for the Sweetwater Union High School District. Mr. Virchis is an award-winning director, producer, actor, mime and championship wrestling coach having produced, directed and acted in over 250 productions. He has been featured in María García’s book Who Made San Diego, San Diego Latino Legacy Foundation’s multimedia online book Timeline-Milestones-Stories and as a contributing columnist for the San Diego Union Community Voices Project. Mr. Virchis’ trajectory contains many Latino firsts: being inducted into five halls of fame, and winning over 100 national and international awards, proclamations and citations for his work in and out of the theater. He is an activist in the Chicano movement and a prominent voice in Latin American Theater in the US. His vast experience in the landscape of theater and film has given him the opportunity to present to underserved and diverse communities for over 50 years. Internationally renowned for his achievements in the visual and performing arts, he has acted, directed, and produced short and feature films as well as multi-media productions such as the first theatrical Zoom production in 2020 Etapas (Stages of Valor). Some iconic plays he has directed are the 20th Anniversary production of Zoot Suit by Luis Valdez, Real Women have Curves by Josefina Lopez, the award winning, critically acclaimed National Tour of the musical, Selena Forever, Mariachi Quixote, the first Mariachi Musical by Jose Cruz Gonzales, the musical Let the Eagle Fly: the Cesar E. Chavez story, La Pastorela, the Latino version of the world renowned comedy by Neil Simon The Odd Couple and the world premiere of The Pitch by Paul Rodriguez.

Timothy Paul Evans has been an actor for over forty-five years. He has appeared on stage in both Los Angeles and San Diego. In San Diego he has appeared on stage at the La Jolla Playhouse, the Old Globe Theater. Also the Lyceum Theater. In Los Angeles, he has appeared on stage in Paul Rodriguez’s play, ”The Pitch.” He was awarded an Aubrey Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of “Fagin” in the musical “Oliver.”  He is also a member of SAG/AFTRA. He has appeared in both films and on television. Film includes “Cat in the Hat,” “Terminator 3,” “The Judge,” and “Holy Cash” starring Paul Rodriguez. He is also a successful playwright and a published poet.

Direct public education advocacy, opportunities to learn CA laws, how to offer effective public comment, escalate reporting, and impact education equity and accountability for all public school students.

Gaston Castellanos is California born and raised. The son of Ecuadorian immigrants, he grew up in Orange County and completed his training and college education there while joining the ranks of public service workers in Garden Grove, California. Gaston was hired as an Administrative Intern in 1984 while earning his degree in Public Administration. He retired as the Community Relations Manager in 2012 after 28 years of service. As Community Relations Manager, he oversaw the Public Information Office, including the creation of the city’s cable TV news program. Channel 3 News went on to win national awards and was on the air for 20 years. Many TV journalists working today began their careers on the program. Gaston didn’t realize at the time that he was just getting started. He was recruited by Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez to serve as her District Director and did so from 2012 to 2015. There, Gaston threw himself into making sure constituents were heard and their problems addressed. One experience that stood out was successfully negotiating with the State Department to secure a visa for an elderly El Salvadoran couple so they could attend the funeral of their granddaughter in Anaheim. Ms. Sanchez left office in 2016 to run for the U.S. Senate. Next, Gaston joined the Labor Movement as Communications Director for the Orange County Employees Association. One of the most rewarding aspects of that job was empowering workers by helping them to find their voice and their strength through collective bargaining. In 2022, Gaston joined the Democratic Party of Orange County as Communications Director just in time for the midterm election cycle. At the same time, Gaston began volunteering with Public School Defenders Hub, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) coalition that advocates for and defends public education. The Hub and its coalition partners strive to ensure all students have access to safe, inclusive, secular, quality learning. Public education is one of the bulwarks of democracy. Learning is the great equalizer and a strong public education system is an essential element in establishing equality, opportunity and freedom for succeeding generations. Gaston lives in Anaheim with wife Maria Alba who he met while visiting Guayaquil, Ecuador where his parents, Gaston and Lil, grew up and fell in love.