EDWARD JUAREZ-PAGLIOCCO

Founder and President

INTERNATIONAL IMMIGRANTS FOUNDATION, INC.

Studied journalism, sociology, psychology, international law, and business administration.

Since the age of 23, Edward Juarez Pagliocco has devoted his life to the assistance of immigrants, to the defense of human rights, and to the pursuit of positive inter-cultural relations.

Nov. 1973:    Founded the International Immigrants Foundation, Inc. a charitable 501(c)(3) institution, when he realized the need for an organization dedicated to assisting and protecting the rights of all immigrants to the United States.

Jan. 1975:    Founded the International Im­migrants School with one small classroom at 1441 Broadway, N.Y.C.  The school used the "SWIFT TEACHING SYSTEM", an easy to learn English as a Second Language method specifically intended for an edu­cation program for the Foundation's members that was developed by Juarez in August of 1974.

Aug. 1975:   With a waiting list of over 200 students, he convinced Board of Directors of the Foundation to approve the rental of the entire 17th floor at 130 West 42nd Street, New York City, in order to expand the educational program.

Jan. 1976:    Combined the immigration, naturalization and settlement counseling with the edu­cational pro­gram at the same location.  By  January of  1977, over 540 students per week were participating in the educational program, with a waiting list of over 190 students.

Oct. 1979:    MULTICULTURAL COALITION:  Founded the "Multicultural Coalition" for the purpose of identifying and bringing together the key leaders of each cultural community to network, to learn from each other, and to organize services, programs, events and projects to pursue positive inter-cultural relations and the "American Dream.”

Feb. 1984:    INTERNATIONAL CULTURES CELEBRATION:   Founded the International Cultures Celebration as a public recognition of the multitude of cultural communities that make up America’s "melting pot.”  Throughout the years, the celebration has served as a show of cultures and as a unifying event for diverse socio-cultural, religious, and political communities, thereby furthering the Foundation's mission.

Oct. 1986:    ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CULTURES PARADE: Founded the Annual International Cultures Parade in celebration of the great multi-cultural society of the United States of America.   

Feb. 1989:    UNITED NATIONS:  Addressed the United Nations, N.G.O. Committee of the Social and Economic Council (ECOSOC), and gained unanimous endorsement and recognition for the International Immigrants Foundation to be placed on a consultative status as a N.G.O. with the United Nations.

Oct. 1989:    INTERNATIONAL CULTURES CONVENTION:   Juarez served as General Chairman of the First Annual Foundation Conference at Hunter College.   This conference was designed to address the socio- cultural, religious and political differences and to further the IIF’s agenda for the 1990's by formulating an International Plan of Action to pursue positive inter-cultural relations.

Nov. 200:      Juarez founded MAC, or the Multicultural American Coalition (MAC), as a non-profit organization entrusted with the mission of bringing together prominent community leaders and committed citizens to promote economic development and provide political education.

Dec. 2003:    Juarez finalized the acquisition of the Immigrants Building, located on 7 West 44^th Street, almost on the corner of 5^th Avenue, in New York City, with the contribution of thousands of immigrants - no government funding.  The seven-story, 20,000+ square foot building is exclusively dedicated to the representation of and service to immigrants.   The Immigrants Building also has an educational & media center with a TV & radio studio equipped for live transmission; conference rooms for community development.  

 
On account of his achievements, Juarez has been nominated for the President's Service Awards.  Throughout the last 33 years, Mr. Juarez has received the Key of Dade County, Florida and Paterson, NJ as well as many commendations from elected officials and main umbrella organizations.  Mr. Juarez is the immigration expert for 93.1FM Radio and for 1330 AM – Radio Vision. Is the host of the “Immigrants Voice” a weekly TV show, the immigration columnist for El Diario-La Prensa in New York and for many other newspapers.  

Over the years, he has successfully tried to meet dire social needs in the New York metropolitan area and bravely paved the way for a practical approach to the serious problems threatening this nation. The meaning of "unity through diversity", an ideal that is inspired by our Founding Fathers' faith in "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", is becoming a reality thanks to his tireless efforts to create a harmonious, just, and tolerant society.

Undaunted by many difficulties, and fired by enormous enthusiasm, dedication, and unwavering zeal to his vision, Mr. Juarez continues to make his dream a reality through the strong support of open minded persons sharing his noble ideals of increasing mutual understanding and cooperation among people.