Immigration will be topic of town hall meeting (New Jersey)

Immigration will be topic of town hall meeting
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 06/18/06
BY ERIK LARSEN
COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU

WEST LONG BRANCH — A town hall meeting on U.S. immigration policy will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday in Wilson Hall at Monmouth University.

The purpose of the forum is to create a dialogue based upon the facts, said Laurence M. Taub, chairman of the Monmouth County Human Relations Commission, which is sponsoring the event.

"We are not taking a position (on immigration policy)," Taub said, who explained it was the purpose of the commission to educate the public in order to eliminate prejudice.

U.S. Rep. Frank J. Pallone Jr., D-N.J., will send a staffer to present an alternative proposal, and the White House was also expected to send a representative to make the case for President Bush's immigration proposal.

Two other presenters, Sherri West, a history professor at Brookdale Community College in Middletown, and Freehold Councilman Marc LeVine, will also participate in the formal discussion.

The topic of discussion will include an overview of current immigration policy, ways to enforce present policy, the Bush administration's proposal for reform and alternative suggestions for reform, the commission said in a written statement.

An opportunity for questions and comments from the audience will follow the presentation from officials.

The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders established the commission in 1990 with a mission to prevent hate and combat bias.

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