***PERSPECTIVES ON IMMIGRATION: A forum discussing the controversies
surrounding recent developments in U.S. immigration policy.***
To be held on WEDNESDAY, April 15, 1998 in the Texas Union Ballroom
starting at 6 p.m. The forum is FREE to the general public, and a FREE
RECEPTION will follow the conclusion of the evening's events.
Opening Remarks will be given by Dr. William S. Livingston, Senior Vice
President of UT-Austin.
The forum will bring together some of the top experts and key
players in the immigration debate for a thoughtful and informative
discussion regarding some of the most controversial aspects of this
issue. It will consist of two separate panels made up of a diverse
group of prominent scholars and public figures from the United States
and from Mexico. Each panel will address a separate question regarding
U.S. immigration policy.
SCHEDULE:
6 p.m. FIRST PANEL
Question:
How serious is the immigration "crisis" in this country? Based
on your assessment, how do you think the United States should treat
immigrants (legal and illegal) once they arrive in this country? In
your opinion, is the problem severe enough to warrant recent policies
such as the Immigration Act of 1996, the Welfare Reform Bill of 1996,
Proposition 187, and =93English only=94 laws? Or are these policies
indicative of a growing, though unfounded, backlash against immigrants?
Panel Members:
Roberto Gamboa Mascare=F1as, Consul General of The Mexican Consulate
in
Austin, Texas
=46rank D. Bean, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology at UT-Austin and Director of
the
Population Research Center
Mark Kirkorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies
in
Washington, D.C.
M=F3nica Verea Campos, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology and Director of
the
Center for North American Studies at the National Autonomous
University
of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City
7:25 BREAK
7:40 p.m. SECOND PANEL
Question:
What steps should the United States take to control its border
with Mexico? In your discussion, provide an assessment of recent
developments in border enforcement such as Operation Hold the Line in El
Paso and the militarization of the border. How effective are these
methods at controlling the flow of illegal immigrants, and how should
these and other efforts be counterbalanced with human rights concerns?
Panel Members:
State Representative Norma Chavez (D-El Paso)
Kenneth Pasquarell, District Director from the Immigration and
Naturalization
Service
Clark Ervin, Assistant Secretary of State of Texas
Irasema Coronado, Professor of Political Science at Incarnate Word
University
in San Antonio, Texas
***Audience participation will be HIGHLY encouraged, so please come and
let your voice be heard!***
**PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO FRIENDS AND COLLEGUES**
=46or more information call Oscar at 495-3501.
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