Each year, the Forum gives the Keepers of the American Dream Award to leaders and organizations making their community and our country a better place for immigrants. Our honorees embody the spirit of immigrant achievement, contribute significantly to the well-being of immigrants in the United States, and are advocates in every sense of the word for the value of immigrants and immigration to the nation.
This year’s honorees include:
Antonia Hernandez, Former President of the California Community Foundation
Antonia Hernández is a prominent attorney, activist, and philanthropist. She was born in Torreón, Mexico, in 1948 and moved to the United States at the age of seven. Throughout her career, Hernández has been a strong advocate for civil rights and social justice. Hernández was the president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) from 1985 to 2004. In 2004, she became the president and CEO of the California Community Foundation (CCF). Hernández is also involved with several boards, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and the Urban Institute.
Mike DeBruhl, Director of Casa del Sagrado Corazón; Retired Chief Patrol Agent, U.S. Border Patrol, CBP
Mike DeBruhl has had a remarkable career transition. He spent 26 years as a Border Patrol Agent and executive in the U. S. Customs and Border Protection agency, where he focused on law enforcement and border security. After retiring, he took on a new role as the Director of Casa del Sagrado Corazón, a migrant shelter in El Paso, Texas. At the shelter, DeBruhl helps migrants who have just crossed the border, providing them with basic needs and support during their first days in the United States. His journey from detaining migrants to aiding them highlights his commitment to treating people with dignity and respect.
Chief Geoffery Farr and Officer Mitchell Soto Rodriguez, City of Blue Island, IL Police Department
Chief Geoffery Farr is the current Chief of Police for Blue Island, Illinois. Chief Farr has been with the Blue Island Police Department for 26 years, and he is known for his dedication to the community and his efforts to modernize the police department. A member of the Law Enforcement and Immigration Task Force, he was actively involved in legislative advocacy around legislation allowing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients to become police officers. He testified before the Illinois State House, stressing how the bill addresses officer shortages and diversifies the police force. After it took effect on January 1, 2024, Chief Farr began implementing this bill by hiring DACA recipients for the force, including but not limited to Officer Mitchell Soto Rodriguez.
Officer Mitchell Soto Rodriguez is a DACA recipient who pursued her dream of becoming a police officer despite the challenges posed by her immigration status. Her journey began with a positive encounter with a Spanish-speaking officer during her teenage years, which inspired her to join law enforcement. In May of this year, she testified before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee on the many ways Dreamers are enriching their communities. Rodriguez’s story is not just about her personal achievement but also about opening doors for others with similar dreams.
ISS Guckenheimer
ISS/ Guckenheimer is a leading workplace experience and facility management company. Formed in 1934, the now global company drives the engagement and well-being of people, minimizes the impact on the environment, and protects and maintains property. ISS brings all of this to life through a unique combination of data, insight and service excellence at offices, factories, airports, hospitals, and other locations across the globe. ISS has more than 350,000 employees around the globe, who they refer to as “place makers”.
The partnership between the National Immigration Forum and ISS/ Guckenheimer to implement English at Work is among the first of its kind in the integrated facilities management and food services industries.
For more information on this year’s Keepers of the American Dream reception, e-mail events@immigrationforum.org.
Check out highlights from past Keepers of the American Dream reception:
