Evaluating the Criminalization of Immigrants in America

About this year's symposium

Our theme for 2026 is "Examining the Criminalization of Immigrants in America." SFJ chose this topic because of the current climate and the need to address mistrust between communities and law enforcement amid the ongoing criminalization of both documented and undocumented individuals. This symposium will examine the societal consequences of criminalizing immigrants, including racial disparities. Our three main focus areas are: 

• The impact of racial profiling and systemic biases

• The effects on local government and its residents

• The broader impact on trust and unity within vulnerable communities.

Staying true to Strategies for Justice's mission, we are leveraging the power of stories and narratives as a foundation for reform.

What we mean by Conscious Law Enforcement 

We intend to take the first steps to develop a consciousness of how generational trauma impacts community and law enforcement relations by learning, engaging, and building a pathway toward healing.  

What we mean by Inclusive Practices 

We intend to take the second step toward developing inclusive practices within and beyond law enforcement by documenting our awareness and engaging in teaching, research, and legislative change.

Thanks to our sponsors, we can offer equity tickets.

Meet our speakers

Born in the Dominican Republic, Sgt. Aquilino Gonell arrived in New York City in 1992 as a young boy who spoke no English, carried two small bags, and stepped into a snowstorm with more hope than certainty. His early years in Brooklyn were marked by hardship. His father was mugged and shot shortly after his arrival, and he struggled academically as he tried to learn a new language and culture. After briefly returning to the Dominican Republic, his grandfather encouraged him to try again. Sgt. Gonell returned to the U.S., improved his grades, and eventually made the Dean’s List in college.

Determined to give back to the country that had given him an opportunity, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1999. He deployed to Iraq for 545 days during Operation Iraqi Freedom II, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant and witnessing the brutal realities of war. After returning home and completing his degree, he continued his commitment to public service by joining the U.S. Capitol Police in 2006.

On January 6, 2021, Sgt. Gonell once again found himself on the front lines of history. As an armed mob attacked the U.S. Capitol, he fought to defend lawmakers, staff, and the democratic process itself. He suffered severe physical and emotional injuries that ultimately ended his 17‑year law enforcement career.

Today, Sgt. Gonell is a respected advocate for democracy, public safety, and the well‑being of law enforcement officers and veterans. He shares his story with communities, elected officials, and national audiences to strengthen trust, accountability, and the democratic values he has spent his life defending.

Hector Barajas-Varela is an honorably discharged veteran of the US Army. Following a 3 and-a-half year sentence in California state prison, he was deported to Mexico. He lived in homeless encampments in Tijuana until he discovered that there were other veterans who had been abandoned by the U.S. government, and thus began the Deported Veterans’ Support House. Hector's personal story is featured in EXILED, and now, as one of the first deported veterans to be lucky enough to return as a U.S. citizen in 2018, he continues his advocacy for deported U.S. veterans worldwide.

Mike Seely has over a dozen years of professional experience as a director and cinematographer of social issue documentary films, working with independent directors, non-profit, and broadcast clients such as; National Geographic, HBO, Al Jazeera, PBS Newshour, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. As a cinematographer, he has developed an eye for moments that reflect universal human qualities. As a director, he aims to amplify the voices of underrepresented populations. Seely received a Fulbright scholarship to explore the Polish documentary film tradition, and has a master's degree in Documentary Filmmaking from Stanford University. Mike worked closely with Hector on the creation of EXILED, which tells the emotional and complicated stories of veterans living in Tijuana, Mexico. Despite their “lawful permanent resident” status in the U.S. and honorable military service, they have been sent away because of criminal convictions. In this powerful investigation of the human consequences of U.S. immigration policies, these EXILED soldiers are now fighting to be heard and return to America - the country they consider home.

Where are our attendees joining from?

This interactive map shows the locations of our attendees as they sign up. You can browse the map to discover where everyone is logging in from! Attendee details are kept confidential.

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