Florida at a Crossroads: Immigration Integration or Criminalization?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Camila Gallardo
(305) 573-7329 or cell: (305) 215-4259

NCLR Legislative Director Raul González will present at panel discussion

ORLANDO, Fla.—As the 2012 election nears, the issue of immigration reform will likely be a subject of intense debate. Several states throughout the nation, most notably Arizona and most recently Alabama, have passed controversial immigration measures that have severe civil rights implications. Several months ago, attempts to pass a similar bill in Florida failed; however, the federal government’s inability to pass a national reform bill will likely encourage proponents of the anti-immigrant bill to reignite their efforts during the next state legislative session.

NCLR (National Council of La Raza), along with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), LatinoJustice PRLDEF, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and others, will participate in a panel discussion titled, “Florida at a Crossroads: Immigration Integration or Criminalization?” The panel will address how to overcome the obstacles that have led to the federal impasse on immigration in Congress. Panelists will discuss the status of state-sponsored immigration bills and their legality, the implications of state and local police involvement in enforcement, and how advocacy groups can form a collective response to anti-immigrant efforts. Discussion will also focus on how advocates can influence the national debate and how the state of Florida in particular can better integrate its immigrant population.

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT:                 Panel discussion: “Florida at a Crossroads: Immigration Integration or Criminalization?”
                           This event is free and open to the public.

WHO:                  Raul González, Legislative Director, NCLR, as well as other distinguished panelists Keynote speaker: Randy Capps, Senior Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Institute

WHEN:                Thursday, September 8, 2011
                           9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT

                           (Mr. González will participate in the Immigration Integration plenary session panel from 10:00 a.m. to noon.)

WHERE:             Barry University
                          Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
                          6441 East Colonial Drive
                          Orlando, FL 32807
 

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