AILF Salute to IndianAmericans in 2002
Posted Mar 30, 2001

Each June at the Annual Conference of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA, there is a benefit reception for the American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF). AILF, a non-profit organization, works tirelessly to educate the public on the contributions of immigrants to this country through programs such as a National Creative Writing Contest for fifth graders, public forums in various locations on U.S. competitiveness in an interdependent world, and special events such as the Immigrant Achievement Awards. Through its Legal Action Center, AILF also litigates on behalf of immigrants, including many of the class action lawsuits against INS that we have described in past issues of the MurthyBulletin.

For the past two years, AILF implemented a new concept for the annual benefit. Beginning with the Salute to ChineseAmericans in June 2000, the benefit events have focused on a particular ethnic group. This effort is a part of AILF's American Heritage Project, which researches and documents the experiences and contributions of the group, and also forges ties with organizations in the particular community. In June 2001 in Boston, the focus of the AILF benefit will be IrishAmericans. Persons honored at these benefits include not only immigrants but also native-born U.S. citizens of the particular ethnic origin. The events also feature authentic musical and dance performances celebrating that particular culture.

In June 2002, the event in San Francisco, CA will be a salute to recognize the contributions of IndianAmericans. AILF is already laying the groundwork for this event, by collecting names of scientists, artists, doctors, researchers, and other professionals in all walks of life. Attorney Sheela Murthy is on the AILF Committee to recommend names of such leaders, so that they may be honored for their myriad contributions to the richness and cultural diversity of the U.S as IndianAmericans.

If any readers of the MurthyBulletin have names in mind of people of high achievement in any field, including the sciences, arts, business, sports, or any other field, please contact us by eMail and mention "AILF 2002 Event to Honor IndianAmericans" in the subject line of your eMail. You are free to mention your own name or the names of others who have achieved success, with their resumes or some background information on the nominee, to help the Committee in making its selection.

We at the Law Office of Sheela Murthy are proud sponsors of the AILF Immigrant Achievement Awards in Washington, D.C. each Spring. We are now particularly pleased to be part of the process of recognizing the valuable contributions of IndianAmericans and various other ethnic communities, who, as immigrants have contributed to the greatness of the United States of America. We thank you for your valuable time and suggestions for this worthwhile project.