IMMIGRATION: MAKING SENSE OF THE DEBATE

IMMIGRATION: MAKING SENSE OF THE DEBATE
Tuesday, October 17
Nashville, TN
7 – 9 p.m

A fierce, heated national discussion and debate about immigration and related issues has been taking place in recent months. This discussion has certainly found its way into our own community in which immigrants, in large numbers, have come to live. In fact, between 1990 and 2000, Tennessee has witnessed the sixth greatest increase of immigrants (169%) and the fourth greatest increase of Latinos (278%) in the country.

Too often, the animated discussion and debate on immigration has been fueled by inaccurate information, volatile rhetoric, and questionable calls for action. What seems to be sorely needed is a sensibly and rationally framed conversation centered on reasonable dialogue and truthful information. To this end, a coalition of community organizations has organized an educational forum and discussion, Immigration: Making Sense of the Debate, which will be held at the Scarritt-Bennett Center on Tuesday, October 17, from 7 – 9 p.m This event is designed to break through the emotionally driven rhetoric coming from the far sides on this issue, to center on a thoughtful and constructive conversation on immigration and the positive steps that we can take to address the problems associated with it.

Presentations will be made Dr. Katharine Donato (Vanderbilt Professor of Sociology), Stephen Fotopulos (Policy Director – Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition), and Tom Negri (Tennessee Hotel Association), and will include testimonies of immigrant families. Reasonable solutions to the problems and challenges at hand will also be shared for consideration. There will be ample opportunity for audience interaction and response.