--“Out of the Shadows – The Path to Citizenship” Will Also Feature Presentations from Academia and Community-Based Organizations, and Explore Undocumented Students’ Perspectives --
WHAT: A panel discussion and information sessions presented in partnership with Latin Women in Action (LWA). Topics of discussion to include the history of U.S. immigration policy and the meaning of citizenship; undocumented students’ struggle to pass the Dream Act, and paths to legal permanent residency. Immigration law experts will also be on hand for an audience Q & A. Free and open to the public.
The public should RSVP to LWA at (718) 478-2972 or Queens College at (718) 997-2719.
WHO:
Panel I Speakers: Anthropologist Madhulika Khandelwal, director of the Asian American Center at Queens College, on the history of U.S. immigration policy and the meaning of citizenship; Haydee Zambrana, CEO of LWA and a Queens college alumna on the political implications of demographic change for the Latino community; and Howard Shih, Asian American Federation demographer, on demographic changes in the Asian community and its economic contributions to the New York City metropolitan area.
Information Sessions: Byron Adriano, Queens College student and head of the “QC Dreamers,” student supporters of the New York Dream Act that would provide benefits like financial aid to undocumented immigrant students; Shyconia Burden of the Immigration Services Division in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, on paths to legal permanent residency; and Congressman Gregory W. Meeks of the fifth Congressional District, whose constituency includes Latin American and Caribbean immigrants.
The forum will conclude with a Q & A session with legal experts on immigration.
WHEN:
Thursday, May 9, 2013, 6 – 9 pm
Background: As an active community participant, located in the nation’s most ethnically diverse county, the college seeks to address issues that impact immigrant groups in the New York metropolitan area and primarily, the borough of Queens. The forum developed out of an alliance between the college and local community-based organizations—the Queens College - Community Academic Partnership Project (QC-CAPP).
