Utahns address immigration in study circles

Immigration Dialogue on Thursday

by

April 9, 2006 | Daily Herald | Provo, Utah

How does immigration affect Utah Valley, and what constructive steps can individuals take to make a better community? How does immigration, both legal and illegal, play out here?

A special Immigration Dialogue will take place Thursday night, April 13, to explore these and other questions in a non-confrontational environment. The event, sponsored by the Daily Herald, Centro Hispano and the Provo City Library will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Academy Square, 550 N. University Ave., Room 201 of the library annex.

Its purpose: to get people thinking and talking about immigration from a wide variety of viewpoints. Recent national debate has focused primarily on issues of borders, visas, work permits and legislation. This program will bring the questions closer to home.

The Immigration Dialogue will feature an interactive museum, learning activities and various small group discussions, with opportunities to contribute to the creation and implementation of effective legislation.

The event is the last stage of a new approach to community dialogue known as Study Circles -- a series of round-table discussions by a diverse group of residents seeking practical common ground. English- and Spanish-speaking panels have been meeting and will combine findings and action suggestions on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, oral histories and personal stories about recent immigrants will be presented by 10th-grade English students from Independence High School. Interactive displays will be presented by International Area Studies students from BYU. Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman has been invited to attend, along with the public.

For more information, contact Joan Dixon, 372-8233.

http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/174315/3/

Learn more: Immigration