'Deeply United Immigration Conference' to focus on community and policy effects

In a world so deeply divided over issues such as immigration, Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates is looking to create some unity with its Deeply United Immigration Conference. 

The half-day conference will be 1-4:30 p.m. Nov. 21, at The Pinnacle Center, 3330 Highland Dr, Hudsonville. 

“This is going to be a nonpartisan, fact-based event presented by licensed attorneys who live and breathe this every day,” says Sarah Yore-Van Oosterhout, LIA’s managing attorney and founder. “It’s a unique opportunity to learn from boots on the ground attorneys who are eager to share the wealth of information that they possess.”

Human

Immigration is a very human issue that has become very divisive, Yore-Van Oosterhout says. “At the end of the day, what we are debating is human lives. It’s a person, it’s a human, not just a bargaining chip.”

The conference will bring together thought leaders, immigration attorneys, business professionals, and advocates to explore the intersection of immigration policy and community impact. 

“This conference is about more than policy discussions; it’s about building connections and understanding within our communities,” says Betsy Maxwell, LIA’s development officer. “We hope to give participants a space to deepen their knowledge, challenge misconceptions, and walk away with actionable insights to support their immigrant neighbors.”

Courtesy LIASamuel T. Filcik will present Immigration Beyond the Headlines at the Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates' Deeply United Immigration Conference.

Three different panels will cover a variety of topics including Invisible Wall, which focuses on the unseen legal barriers immigrants face; Immigration Beyond the Headlines, which will unpack the media’s portrayal of immigration issues, and Immigration 101, designed to educate attendees about the U.S. immigration system. 

Courtesy LIAWilliam G. Trenary will present Immigration 101 during the Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates' Deeply United Immigration Conference.
Courtesy LIAMaggie Haveman-Gould will present Immigration 101 during the Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates' Deeply United Immigration Conference.

“Deeply United brings both facts and heart to an issue that impacts us all," Yore-Van Oosterhout says. "We need more spaces like this, where the conversation isn't just theoretical but practical and rooted in the real experiences of immigrants in our community — West Michigan." 

Business

The conference also aims to galvanize local businesses and community leaders to play a larger role in creating welcoming environments for all residents. Understanding immigration policies can help businesses navigate legal complexities and foster a more inclusive workplace.

“We spend a lot of time at our jobs, so if you have an employer who can’t see how what they do, how the policies they support, and the politicians they vote for impact the people who work for them, that’s not necessarily going to be a place where people can thrive,” Yore-Van Oosterhout says.

Tickets to the half-day conference are $25. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. To register or learn more, visit https://lia-michigan.org/events/united/.

Holland-based LIA has provided affordable legal services to immigrants since its founding in 2015.