2008 Woodie Awards
Fourm spotlights issues
Residents speak up
Shari Beardsley
Issue date: 4/27/06 Section: Front Page
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Immigration controversy is more and more an issue not only throughout the country, but also on campus.
A forum was addressed in the Lecture Hall of the academic building Wednesday, April 19. Melinda Lewis, director of policy, advocacy and research at El Centro in Kansas City, Kan., addressed a group of less than 30 people about the current federal immigration debate.
Lewis presented a forum based on five main issues, which include: Family reunification, a path to legal permanent residency, a future-flow work program that would allow an appropriate number of immigrant workers in legally, border enforcement and immigrant integration into communities.
In over two hours Lewis talked about each issue and the government's stand on them, but her focus turned when questions, answers and statements took over the end of the forum by residents of the community.
Carlos Pantoja, international organizer for United Steel Workers, said the outlook on illegal immigration is different from an immigrant's point of view.
"I don't know how many immigrants are in this room but my friend and I are immigrants," Pantoja said. "I am from Mexico. This is our issue. It is a difficult issue to understand."
Pantoja said that immigrants leave everything behind when they come to America looking for the American dream.
"We have to leave behind family, friends, and our childhood so we can come to America and make an extra dollar or two to take back to our families," Pantoja said. "Before we cross the border to come over to America we're thinking, 'we will get back' but it never happens. I've been here 20 years."
Pantoja says the reason why they don't get back to their home country is because immigrants are always dreaming of something more.
"We believe that something is going to change," Pantoja said. "Something is going to change and be better for everybody, Americans and immigrants."
Lewis translated for Yaucy Clethen, St. Louis, Mo., immigrant worker, saying we, as Americans shouldn't fear that their jobs would be taken.
A forum was addressed in the Lecture Hall of the academic building Wednesday, April 19. Melinda Lewis, director of policy, advocacy and research at El Centro in Kansas City, Kan., addressed a group of less than 30 people about the current federal immigration debate.
Lewis presented a forum based on five main issues, which include: Family reunification, a path to legal permanent residency, a future-flow work program that would allow an appropriate number of immigrant workers in legally, border enforcement and immigrant integration into communities.
In over two hours Lewis talked about each issue and the government's stand on them, but her focus turned when questions, answers and statements took over the end of the forum by residents of the community.
Carlos Pantoja, international organizer for United Steel Workers, said the outlook on illegal immigration is different from an immigrant's point of view.
"I don't know how many immigrants are in this room but my friend and I are immigrants," Pantoja said. "I am from Mexico. This is our issue. It is a difficult issue to understand."
Pantoja said that immigrants leave everything behind when they come to America looking for the American dream.
"We have to leave behind family, friends, and our childhood so we can come to America and make an extra dollar or two to take back to our families," Pantoja said. "Before we cross the border to come over to America we're thinking, 'we will get back' but it never happens. I've been here 20 years."
Pantoja says the reason why they don't get back to their home country is because immigrants are always dreaming of something more.
"We believe that something is going to change," Pantoja said. "Something is going to change and be better for everybody, Americans and immigrants."
Lewis translated for Yaucy Clethen, St. Louis, Mo., immigrant worker, saying we, as Americans shouldn't fear that their jobs would be taken.
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