Immigration has emerged as a key issue in the 2024 Presidential Election. Speakers during the recent Republican National Convention talked about undocumented immigrants in apocalyptic terms and attendees proudly carried “Mass Deportation Now” signs. President Biden had promised a more humane approach to immigration but recently took executive action to significantly restrict asylum after a bipartisan legislative compromise failed. Our immigration system is overtaxed, underfunded, and in need of overhaul. But, with the political rhetoric, it is hard to know what is actually happening (and what is not), what the parties propose to do about it, and what the human toll could be.

Please join us for a community conversation about how the outcome of the 2024 Election could impact those living and working in Park City who face immigration insecurity and why we, as a community, should care.

Panelists:

Sue Banerjee, Executive Director of PC Tots

Sue is the Executive Director of PC Tots, a non-profit early education and childcare provider serving Summit County residents and workforce. She holds a juris doctorate from George Washington University and has worked for large law firms on employment, civil rights and corporate matters. She previously served as Vice President of Client Development at eBrevia, in which role she assisted in raising funds from venture capitalist and angel investors, as well as interfacing with clients on their contract review needs. After moving to Park City, Sue became involved in organizations that allowed her to do good work in the community. She has been an active volunteer for the Park City Education Foundation, serving as the Parleys Park ambassador, and as a Grant’s Committee member of the Women’s Giving Fund.

Most recently, Sue has been working in the community as a substitute teacher in the Park City School District, where she has seen firsthand the benefits of quality early education.

Emmie Gardner, CEO of Holy Cross Ministries

Emmie is the CEO for Holy Cross Ministries (HCM), a non-profit social service organization that has been in Salt Lake City Utah for 25 years. Their mission is to respond to the underserved community’s need for health and well-being, via three main pillars of service – Health, Education, and Justice.  Emmie is a mission driven leader with a demonstrated 35-year history of working in non-profit healthcare as well as mental health and social service settings. She is a clinical social worker by training who also holds a graduate certificate in mediation and conflict resolution, both from the University of Utah. As the daughter of an immigrant, she is passionate about helping immigrant and underserved populations and empowering them to find their voice. 

Christine R. Eschenfelder, Business Immigration Attorney at Stowell Crayk

Christine joined Stowell Crayk in summer 2008 and was admitted to the Utah Bar in October 2008. She leads the firm’s employment-based immigration practice, handling various non-immigrant (H-1B, H1B1, L-1A, L-1B, TN, O-1) and immigrant (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, National Interest Waivers) visas. She  has worked with clients worldwide and assisted with consular posts from London to Ankara. Her clients range from small to large companies across the U.S.

Christine holds a J.D. from the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, and a B.A. in International Studies from the University of California, San Diego. During law school, she received the CALI Award in International Human Rights and interned at the Immigration Court in Salt Lake City. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Sociology at Utah State University, focusing on research with temporary visa holders. Outside of work, Christine enjoys outdoor activities with her family in Park City, including skiing and hiking. She also loves CrossFit and teaches hot vinyasa yoga at a local studio. Christine is dedicated to being accessible to her clients and providing clear, effective legal assistance and collaboration.

Dalia Gonzalez, Director of Operations at The People’s Health Clininc

Dalia is responsible for ensuring day-to-day and long-term clinical operations and delivery of clinical services. She provides leadership, supervision, and support for all clinic staff and volunteers. Dalia grew up in Park City, UT, graduated from Park City High, and was the first in her family to attend college. She received two bachelor of science degrees from the University of Utah.

Dalia loves to serve and give back to her community, especially the youth and uninsured residents. She was the previous Women’s Giving Fund Grant Committee Chair for Park City Community Foundation and serves on the Hope Alliance Board and the Intermountain Health Wasatch Back Hospitals Community Board. Dalia worked for Planned Parenthood Association of Utah for 6 years and served many roles within their clinical and education department. In her free, not-so-free time, she dedicates her time to her 20-month-old son and 2 rescued dogs, and co-manages her Property Management Housekeeping business with her husband.

Moderator:

Maggie Hughey AbuHaidar, Executive Director of Wasatch Immigration Project (WIP)

Maggie Hughey AbuHaidar is the Executive Director of Wasatch Immigration Project (WIP), a new non-profit law firm in Park City dedicated to building a legal community in Utah that values and supports immigrants.

After graduating from Dartmouth College and Duke Law School, Maggie completed judicial clerkships before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where she handled various civil defense cases, including immigration appeals. Witnessing the struggles of friends and family with the U.S. immigration system, she began volunteering on affirmative asylum cases in 2021. In 2023, she co-founded WIP with John Sharkey, Laura Rojas, and Karin Fojtik, and now serves as its Executive Director. Maggie, her husband, and their three children have called Park City home for twenty-four years. She also serves as General Counsel for OK3 AIR in Heber City, an attorney with Park City-based Hoggan Lee Hutchinson, and is the past Chair of the Kimball Art Center Board of Directors.