Events: November 1, 2006

Getting Some Perspective on Immigration will provide a context to the immigration debate by exploring immigration myths - that the United States' immigration challenge is unique in the world, and that America has always been a nation welcoming of immigrants. The conference will also look at myths that dominate the discussion in Minnesota and at the local level. Facilitated break-out sessions will build on this contextual information and allow conference participants an opportunity to articulate a set of common goals or values that should undergird immigration policy. Their observations and recommendations will be presented to a panel of state and local policymakers.

Wednesday, November 1, 2006
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Center
301 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis

8:30 a.m.   Registration             

9:00 a.m.  Global Perspective
Demetrios Papademetriou, President, Migration Policy Institute

9:45 a.m.  Historical Perspective
Donna Gabaccia, Professor and President, Immigration History Research Center, University of Minnesota

10:40 a.m.  Audience Q&A

Michael LeMay, Professor Emeritus, California State University
Demetrios Papademetriou
Donna Gabaccia

11:30 a.m.  Lunch

Myths About Immigration: A Public Policy Perspective
Katherine Fennelly, Professor, University of Minnesota

12:45 p.m.  Debate at the Local Level
Joe Amato, professor and director emeritus, Rural and Regional Studies, Southwest State University

Loan Huynh, attorney, Fredrikson & Byron, and immediate past chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association

Julia Morgan, immigration advocate, Hennepin County, Human Services and Public Health Department, Office of Multicultural Services

Francisco Segovia, director, Waite House Community Center

1:30 p.m.   Facilitated discussion: What are the common values that should undergird immigration policy?

2:30 p.m.   Response to summary of values discussion

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak
Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz

3:30 p.m.   Conclude

This conference was made possible in part by a contribution from the University of Minnesota’s Immigration History Research Center.

Cooperating Organizations

• Chicano Studies Department, University of Minnesota
• Citizens League
• League of Women Voters Minnesota
• Neighborhood House

Registration

The registration fee for this conference is $25. Payment is requested before October 25. For more information, please contact Lisa Thalacker at 612-624-8842 or by e-mail at cspg@umn.edu.

Directions and parking information: www.hhh.umn.edu/about/contact/parking.html