Immigration Information & Community: Navigating Today's Landscape

Immigration & Identity

This panel brings together perspectives from law, media, and community advocacy to explore how immigration issues are impacting individuals and families today. Panelists will discuss how information is shared, how rights are understood, and how communities are navigating complex and evolving systems. Drawing from experience in legal practice, civil rights, and public information access, the conversation will highlight the importance of accurate information, trusted resources, and community-based support. Panelists will also reflect on the role of media, legal guidance, and advocacy in helping individuals stay informed and empowered. Designed to be accessible and engaging, this session offers a broader look at how different sectors intersect to support immigrant communities and the importance of staying informed in a rapidly changing environment.

Paloma Esquivel

Paloma Esquivel is a Press Education Specialist with the First Amendment Coalition. Before joining FAC, she worked for nearly two decades as a journalist, including 17 years at the Los Angeles Times. She was part of the team that won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for public service for investigating corruption in the city of Bell and the team that won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news for coverage of a mass shooting in San Bernardino. She is a co-founder of the L.A. Times Guild Latino Caucus and in 2020 was named one of the most influential Latina journalists of the year by CCNMA: Latino Journalists of California. Prior to embarking on a career in print journalism, she worked in Spanish-language radio in the Inland Empire.

Christian Contreras

Christian Contreras is an attorney, activist and community advocate. Christian is the managing attorney of the Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC which is a multi-attorney firm. Christian’s practice areas are civil rights, personal injury, trials and some criminal defense. Christian has been recognized as an expert in civil rights and is regularly featured in prominent news outlets to contribute on various legal topics. In 2024, the Daily Journal recognized the Christian Contreras Law, PLC as a top boutique in California. Christian also is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (“ABOTA”) Christian currently serves on the board of directors for the following organizations: East Los Angeles College Foundation, CAALA, Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities, and NPAP. Christian also serves as the legal advisor for the LULAC. Christian has taught or teaches law and civil rights at various educational institutions including the law school, Peoples College of Law.

Kelvin Rosado

Kelvin Rosado is an immigration attorney licensed in Maryland, Puerto Rico, and before the U.S. Immigration Courts nationwide. With over a decade of experience, he represents clients in removal defense, family-based, employment-based, and humanitarian immigration matters. His practice serves Los Angeles–Glendale, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Maryland. Before founding 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 nonprofit in the Baltimore– Washington, D.C. area, where he led and mentored attorneys. He is a frequent legal commentator on Univision, Telemundo, and Vision Latina, educating the community on immigrants’ rights. Mr. Rosado is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and serves as Immigration Advisor for LULAC California.

Nayeli Farias

Undergraduate student at the University of California, Irvine.

Hannah Gonzalez