Forum to explore immigration issue
By DON CUDDY
Standard-Times staff writer
September 02, 2008 6:00 AM

NEW BEDFORD — Opinions may differ widely on how this country should deal with the increasing numbers of undocumented workers crossing its borders, but few dispute that reform of the nation's immigration laws is long overdue.

The Bianco raid in New Bedford last year put this city at the center of the national debate on this controversial issue.

While an attempt to draft new legislation in Congress failed last year, the issue will inevitably resurface during the next president's term.

To examine this complex issue, a forum sponsored by The Standard Times will be held Wednesday evening in the auditorium at the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational-Technical High School. Representatives from all sides of the issue will be present and the public is invited to attend and ask questions.

Serving on the panel will be Jack Martin, who travels from Washington, D.C., where he serves as director of special projects for the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

FAIR describes itself on its Web site as "a nonprofit, public-interest, membership organization of concerned citizens who share a common belief that our nation's immigration policies must be reformed to serve the national interest."

According to FAIR, 1.1 million immigrants will enter the United States this year.

Ms. Eva Millona will represent the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy coalition, which works in support of immigrants on a range of issues.

Three other panelists from the local area will also appear. The Rev. Mark Fallon of Catholic Social Services and Anibal Lucas from the Mayan community in New Bedford will speak along with UMass Dartmouth anthropology professor Lisa Maya Knauer, who is currently studying Central American immigrants. The event runs from 7 to 9 p.m.

www.southcoasttoday.com