AILA Advocates for the Immigrant Community

 

American Immigration Lawyers Association
Image: aila.org

Working in both Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Juan Carlos Benitez serves as president of the Washington Pacific Economic Development Group, Marianas EB-5 Regional Center, and Latte Training Academy. An attorney with a juris doctor from Inter-American University of Puerto Rico School of Law, Juan Carlos Benitez maintains membership in several legal organizations, including the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

Along with offering various professional development programs and activities for practicing attorneys, AILA advocates to protect immigrant rights and promote public policy affecting the immigrant community. On the Advocacy and Media page of its website, the organization provides updates on congressional actions and pending legislation while also offering access to other educational resources, including public service announcements (PSAs).

Designed to be displayed in homes, public spaces, and places of business, AILA’s PSAs highlight important immigration policies and raise awareness of immigrant rights. Some of the organization’s most recent announcements are know-your-rights handouts focused on US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.

In addition to congressional updates and immigration PSAs, AILA’s Advocacy and Media webpage features an Immigration 101 section where topics, such as green cards, non-immigrant visas, and family immigration, are discussed. The page also includes a registry of AILA’s national spokespeople.

More information about the organization’s advocacy activities and offerings is available at www.aila.org/advo-media.

Guam’s Vibrant Culture

 

Guam
Image: tripadvisor.com

Juan Carlos Benitez serves as president and chairman of the board for the Latte Training Academy in Saipan. As president of the Washington Pacific Economic Development Group, LLC, he helps identify federal funding sources for organizations and businesses. His achievements include securing tax credits for low-income housing initiatives.

A paradisiacal island in Micronesia, Guam is a U.S. territory with a rich culture and unique heritage, made up of vibrant communities. The impact of Asian and Western culture is prominent, as Spain and the Catholic Church left a profound influence on the island. Many Guamanians attend church-related events like weddings and christenings, and socializing with friends and family is conventionally built around religious events. Additionally, villages commonly honor their patron saints, with community feasts and parties.

Indigenous Guamanian, or Chamorro, culture traces back about 4,000 years. Even though Spain and the Catholic Church’s influence is vast, Chamorro culture continues to thrive in the form of community celebrations and fiestas during which villagers gather for food and music. The island’s cuisine draws on inspiration from Spain and the Philippines, with staples like peppers, rice, soy sauce, and coconut. Chamorro folk music boasts unique singing styles and indigenous instruments such as the nose flute and the belembaotuyan, a musical bow.