March 20 — Immigration: A “Present” Perspective
Present discussion on immigration obsesses about the influx of Latino, particularly Mexican, immigrants into America. Let’s try to examine the current “crisis” with emphasis on myths, realities, common concerns, and current efforts to firmly yet humanely enforce America’s immigration laws.
When: Thursday, March 20, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Indiana History Center Basile Theater 450 W. Ohio St, Indianapolis, IN 46202
In the spring of 2008, the IHS will explore immigration in three separate programs from the perspectives of the past, present, and future. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how “today’s problems” have actually been debated throughout our state’s and nation’s history. This series will encourage audience members to learn about the historic nature of immigration (and immigration debates), how communities are currently dealing with new immigrants, and what the future holds for America (and Indiana) as larger numbers of immigrants are woven into our society.
The session will be moderated by John Clark of Provocate and will feature panelists with cultural and political insights into today’s immigrants, such as Allert Brown-Gort of Notre Dame University, immigration attorney Angela Iza Adams, and Rev. Felipe Martinez of the Indianapolis Latino Pastors Alliance.
Some questions, big and small, that will be addressed:
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• What is an American?
• What present-day immigration topics brought you here tonight?
• How do the terms “illegal” and “undocumented” make you feel?
• Should English be America’s official language?
• How many foreign-born workers does America really need?
o What are the fundamentals of immigration law and what are the difficulties of legal immigration?
o Describe the “typical” undocumented worker. Where do they work? What kind of social services do they use? What kind of healthcare do they require? Where do they worship? Where do they go to school?
o What has immigration meant to Indiana’s economy? Population growth? State and local budgets?
o What kind of role do our educational institutions (need to) play?
o What kind of services do non-profit and religious organizations offer growing immigrant communities?
o What can the audience do to become more involved in this issue?
John Clark is a Senior Fellow at the Sagamore Institute where he researches international security, international development, European issues, immigration, and civil society at the local, national, and international levels. Dr. Clark teaches courses at IUPUI, Butler University and Cathedral High School. He sits on the boards of the Indiana Council on World Affairs and the Marian College Franciscan Center for Global Studies and is the force behind Provocate.org, a Web site dedicated to connecting Hoosiers with new ideas and local opportunities.
Angela Adams is an Associate with Lewis & Kappes in the Immigration Group. She assists clients in the acquisition of family and employment based visas to enter the United States and in the resolution of general immigration issues. She also volunteers her services for not-for-profit organizations, such as the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, the Mexican Consulate, and the Hispanic Education Center. Ms. Adams has served on the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Education Center and La Plaza, and currently serves on the Mexican Consulate Scholarship Fund Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors for the Immigrant Welcome Center.
Rev. Felipe Martinez is a pastor with the Presbyterian Church and currently serves as Associate Executive Presbyter and Program Associate for Cultural Bridge Building for Whitewater Valley Presbytery. Rev. Martinez, who is bilingual and bicultural, was born in Monterrey, N.L., Mexico, and received American citizenship in 2007. Over the years, Rev. Martinez’s community work in Indianapolis has included serving as co-chair for the Hispanic / Latino Forum of the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis as well as an appointed member of former-Mayor Peterson’s Commission on Latino Affairs and the Community Crime Prevention Task Force in Indianapolis.
Allert Brown-Gort is the Associate Director for the Institute for Latino Studies at Notre Dame University. His research interests include the role of culture in shaping values and political systems, civil service reform, and political views of Mexican nationals in the United States. Currently, his research is focused on a national qualitative study of the opinions of Mexican migrants and Mexican American communities on immigration issues, including the creation of a new guest-worker program, the possibility for amnesty for undocumented workers, and possible political consequences.
If this sounds like an interesting event, be sure to check out … the third of IHS’s townhall discussion of immigration (the future) on April 17. The statewide multi-ethnic conference April 22 will dscuss immigration in the state, and will unveil the Sagamore Institute’s latest study of immigration and education. You can hear Clark and Rev. Martinez along with other religious leaders discuss how newcomers can change American politics for the better at the International Interfaith Symposium on “Faith, Civil Society, and International Relations” April 19. Learn more about refugees from Burma now making Indiana a better place April 4-5.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:15 pm
[…] March 20 — Immigration: A “Present” Perspective. Present discussion on immigration obsesses about the influx of Latino, particularly Mexican, immigrants into America. Let’s try to examine the current “crisis” with emphasis on myths, realities, common concerns, and current efforts to firmly yet humanely enforce America’s immigration laws. check it out […]