Forum on April 19 part of national Campus Day of Action for Immigration Reform

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas will host a panel discussion and question-and-answer session on immigration issues as part of the national Campus Day of Action for Immigration Reform. 

The Office of Diversity & Equity and the Office of Multicultural Affairs are teaming with four student groups — Asian American Student Union, Black Student Union, First Nations Student Association and Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO) — for the event on Friday, April 19, beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the Big 12 Room of the Kansas Union.

“KU is honored to join a network of colleges and universities across the nation to bring attention to the topics and issues surrounding immigration,” said Fred Rodriguez, vice provost for Diversity & Equity. “This important conversation will hone in on how immigration policies, and the lack of policies in some areas, are impacting higher education and the U.S. economy.”

Blane Harding, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, will host a panel discussion followed by a Q&A session. The public is invited to attend, and light refreshments will be available.

Panelists include:

• Mauricio Gomez, Office of Multicultural Affairs
• Stacy Mendez, Harvest of Hope Leadership Academy
• Alex Hernandez-Castro, Harvest of Hope Leadership Academy
• Brenda Morales, a KU senior from Kansas City, Kan.
• Mauricio Puebla, a KU sophomore from Farmers Branch, Texas

The Harvest of Hope Leadership Academy is a three-week residential program for migrant high school students hosted each June on the KU campus. Harvest of Hope helps students develop self-awareness and academic, social and leadership skills with the goal of aiding students in successfully completing high school and obtaining a college degree.

“The work that is needed to assist migrant and immigrant children in completing their education and earning a college degree is too often lost in the national debate,” said Harding. “Our panel will bring the perspectives of both our successful Harvest of Hope academy and KU students to talk about how current immigration laws and policies are challenging our ability to educate and to innovate.”

Working with the Partnership for a New American Economy and the National Immigration Forum, colleges and university across the country will host events as part of the Campus Day of Action for Immigration Reform to highlight the economic benefits of immigration and discuss sensible reforms to the present system.