Empowering the Low Country Immigrant Community
In 2010, Eric Esquivel, La Isla Magazine’s publisher, and George Kanuck officially founded the Lowcountry Immigration Coalition. Supporting them were a group of outstanding people dedicated to improving living conditions and opportunities for Latino families in our area.
Eric, along with co-chair George Kanuck, started the Coalition and the 25-member LIC Board of Directors. Because of their passion for community-building, human rights, and Latino empowerment, Eric and George served the Lowcountry Immigration Coalition voluntarily and without any personal economic benefit.
Currently Aimee Deverall is th Chair of Lowcountry Immigration Coalition and Lynne Nordenberg is the
Co-Chair.
The Lowcountry Immigration Coalition is a 501(c)3 that advocates for immigrants in the Lowcountry.
Significant Achievements
Since the 2006 Employment Ordinance of Beaufort County, we have invested time and effort to defend the civil rights of the Hispanic community.
Prevented the practice of police checkpoints without motive in Latino communities in 2009 to 2010 in Jasper County.
Between 2009 and 2011, we conducted Family Plan workshops designed to prepare families to avoid the possibility of deportation. Family plans are designed to help parents provide all the necessary documentation to protect their minor children in the case of deportation.
In 2010, we prevented the Beaufort County Department of Treasury from denying Latinos the right to pay taxes on their vehicles if they did not have a driver's license.
We brought to light the unethical practices involved in towing cars in the Latino community. We also supported the plaintiffs and victims during the trial of tow truck operator, Preston Oates, who murdered a member of our community, Mr. Carlos Olivera, in 2010.
Together with other community organizations, we opposed the anti-immigration State law SB20, modeled on Arizona’s equally onerous SB-1070.. Thanks, in part, to our efforts, the Court favored the immigrant community, protecting thousands of Latino families across the state since 2012.
LIC was part of the Amicus Brief to the U. S. Supreme Court supporting President Obama’s executive orders on immigration to temporarily protect up to 5 million Hispanics from deportation.
We have given numerous presentations in churches and public forums, as well as utilized the local media in support of the civil and human rights of the immigrants in our community.
We do all this thanks to the support of our many volunteers.
Advocate for Immigrant Communities
Ready to stand with our immigrant neighbors? Fill out the form below to lend your voice and your time.