October 30, 2017
With President Trump’s administration seeking to repeal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, what does the future hold for the 800,000 people who qualify for the program?
Delta Debates, the Delta College Political Forum Series, is holding a deliberative dialogue on the topic from 6-7:30pm on Monday, November 13 at the Delta College Ricker Center. The event, titled “Beyond the Dream: Perspectives on DACA and Immigration Reform,” will feature a panel of experts on the topic including an opportunity for audience members to lend their life experience and perspective to the discussion.
This community-wide dialogue will explore three options to approach immigration reform: keep DACA in place as is; repeal DACA and prioritize deportation and border security; and replace DACA with the Dream Act, which would provide a path to permanent residency for people brought into the country illegally as children. An issue guide will be provided to audience members describing each of these approaches.
On hand to discuss each approach will be:
- Rebeca Ontiveros-Chavez, staff attorney, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center
- Oscar Castanada, Director of Operations, Action of Greater Lansing
- Nina Hageness, Host & Producer, Somos Hispanos on PBS WDCQ-TV
- Elisa Urtiaga, Ezekiel Project Community Leader on Civil Rights for Immigrants
- State Rep. Vanessa Guerra, Michigan’s 95th State House District
The format of the dialogue will be three 30-minute segments that will each begin with the panel sharing their thoughts for 15 minutes, followed by a 15-minute moderated round-table discussion (8-10 audience members and a trained moderator at each table) at which audience members will discuss the pros and cons of the approach.
The event is intended to create a two-way dialogue between decision-makers and the people they represent. Such a “deliberative dialogue” is intended to help participants develop better informed opinions and a greater understanding of the range of solutions and their consequences. In short, we hope to provide the audience with tools to make informed decisions in our democracy.
For more information contact Professor Colleen Wilson-Rood, colleenwilsonrood@delta.edu or call 989-686-9369.