Thread: IA - Plans continue for an immigration summit

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Plans continue for an immigration summit

By KEN BLACK

Jan 7, 2007

Plans to hold an immigration summit in Marshalltown are moving forward with a couple of Iowa’s federal officials on board with the idea.

Both Sen. Charles Grassley and Rep. Tom Latham expressed interest and said the idea would be of some benefit to those who set laws and policy in Washington, D.C. The Times-Republican has called for the summit in the wake of a raid at the Swift & Company plant in Marshalltown and other states in December.

Approximately 1,300 people were arrested on immigration and/or other charges when agents with the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement made the bust as part of an investigation into an identity theft scheme. While the raid yielded some of the suspects involved in that operation, most of those arrested were alleged to be in violation of U.S. immigration procedures.

Messages left with Sen. Tom Harkin’s staff were not returned.

“We’re going to have a huge debate this year in Congress on the immigration situation,” Latham said. “It would be very helpful to get lots of different pionts of view.”

Latham pledged to help arrange the summit in any way he could, saying his committee assignments have given him good contacts with some top officials.

Grassley was also asked if he thought such a dialogue would be beneficial.

“Definitely if you are going to be able to have all points of view expressed and not have a preconceived notion of what ought to be accomplished,” Grassley said. “There isn’t enough appreciation of different points of view on the issue and, more importantly, people don’t take time to listen.”

Because debate on immigration issues is expected to take place fairly soon into this legislative session, Latham advised the summit should happen within the next several months.

The T-R hopes the issue will attract not only federal officials elected from Iowa, but other policymakers and lawmakers from across the United States.

Immigration Summit or Illegal Alien Summit??

Sen. Tom Harkin’s staff were not returned.

Well that is understandable. Harkin is all for promoting the give away of benefits to illegals. He is standing on the border with open arms handing out instate tuition and other inticements. He is an idiot. Is it still legal to offer a personal oppinion ??? ew maybe I should retrack that.


Grassley and I have had our differences over the years. But on the border issue we agree. This may be beneficial if the information is allowed to be forthcoming from the public and not just another "public" discussion" between the presenters.

Where Grassley has me nervous is his silence on the NAU. I can't get a response including from his office when I speak to them on the phone.

Hopefully Representative Steve King (IA) will be in attendance. He is not shy about calling the open border what it is.

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Tentative agenda for immigration summit set

By KEN BLACK



A tentative agenda has been announced for the upcoming summit on immigration to take place Feb. 26 in Marshalltown.

Also, in light of a significant response to the summit, there are a number of other considerations being made, which may include additional meeting areas to accommodate others who wish to be part of the event. Organizers estimate that those expressing interest in attending the summit has already exceeded 1,000 people, significantly more than can be held at Dejardin Hall on the campus of Marshalltown Community College, which is listed as the event’s main site.

The main event is expected to get underway at 9 a.m. Feb. 26, with a welcome and then move right into Session 1.

That session will deal with rights and responsibilities under current immigration policy and, perhaps, focus on changes that could be made that would improve some of those areas.

Featured speakers will represent someone from the legal community who specializes in immigration law, a member of the clergy, and a representative from Latinos in Action.

A special mini session after that first session will deal with immigration and its impact upon our educational system.

Session 2 begins at 11 a.m. and deals with an employers rights and responsibilities. Featured speakers will likely include a representative from local industry, a representative from the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce and an expert from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

After lunch, Session 3 will focus on enforcement of current immigration law in the United States.

A shorter session on how immigration affects health care will take place following that.

Session 4, the last session of the day, will focus on shaping future U.S. immigration policy and is likely to include speakers from Washington, D.C., and others from around the Midwest who specialize in immigration policy.

Elected officials will also be given a forum to voice opinions and offer thoughts.

At this point, organizers stress that the schedule is still somewhat tentative and speakers are still being secured for each of the sessions.

Those interested in attending the summit can contact Ken Larson, the Times-Republican managing editor at 641-753-6611 or klarson@timesrepublican.com

Seating may become very limited.

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Wednesday, January 31, 2007— Time: 11:56:50 PM CST

Tickets will be required for immigration summit

By KEN BLACK



Those wishing to attend the National Summit on Immigration taking place in Marshalltown Feb. 26 will need a ticket to do so.

Because of very limited space and extremely high interest, the Times-Republican is instituting a ticket policy. Tickets are free and on a first come, first served basis.

Requests for tickets will only be accepted through the U.S. Mail. This means absolutely no tickets will be granted over the phone or via e-mail.

Each ticket request needs to include a name, address and phone number and a self-addressed, return stamped envelope. Those without the self-addressed, stamped envelope will not be considered.

Requests should also include whether the person seeking tickets will be coming as an independent party or will be representing a group or organization.

Ticket requests must be at the Times-Republican newspaper office no later than Friday Feb. 16. Tickets will be mailed Monday, Feb. 19.

Everyone will receive a response that sends an envelope, even if tickets are gone.

Those who have expressed an interest in attending prior will still need to mail a request, unless they have received a specific invitation from the Times-Republican.

Send ticket requests to: Times Republican, ATTN: Immigration Summit, P.O. Box 1300, Marshalltown, IA. 50158.

———

Contact Ken Black at 641-753-6611 or kblack@ timesrepublican.com

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Immigration Summit makes ticket request change

By KEN BLACK

Sun., Feb 4, 2007

A change has been made for members of the general public who would like to attend the National Summit on Immigration taking place in Marshalltown Feb. 26.

Due to an overwhelming response for tickets, the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce is stepping forward to handle that part of the process.

Those interested in tickets need to send their name, organization, phone number and a self-addressed, stamped return envelope to: Marshalltown Chamber of Commerce, ATTN: Immigration Summit, P.O. Box 1000, Marshalltown, IA. 50158.

There is a maximum number of two tickets per request. If a person is requesting more than one ticket, the name of the other person attending must be submitted as well.

Absolutely no phone call or e-mail requests will be accepted.

Those who have already sent in ticket requests to the Times-Republican will not need to send in a new request. The newspaper will forward all of those on to the chamber offices.

“The Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce has been very generous in volunteering to help with this portion of the summit,” said T-R Publisher Mike Schlesinger. “This is an example of how the community, working together, can make a difference on a very important issue.”

The Times-Republican called for the National Summit on Immigration in the wake of federal raids at the Swift plant in Marshalltown and several other locations around the country.

The purpose of the summit is to promote a national discussion, from the grassroots level, that will lead to meaningful reform in the country’s immigration policy.

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Sunday, February 11, 2007— Time: 12:22:46 AM CST
Tickets for local immigration summit will soon be sent out

By KEN BLACK



Tickets for the National Summit on Immigration taking place in Marshalltown are ready and will begin to be distributed shortly.

As those are getting ready to go out, there is still time to request a ticket for the event, which will promote a grassroots discussion on the issue so that meaningful reform of the system may be able to take place.

The summit will be Feb. 26 in Marshalltown and includes a number of speakers, both at the local and national level.

“We are looking to have national speakers at every session,” said Ken Larson, managing editor of the Times-Republican.

The five-session event will include: a local perspective on immigration, individuals’ rights and responsibilities concerning immigration, employers’ rights and responsibilities concerning immigration, immigration enforcement and a discussion on U.S. immigration policy.

Moderating the discussion will be Marshalltown’s own Mayor Gene Beach.

“If we are going to get a benefit out of the forum, it needs to be run in an efficient manner and I think I can do that,” Beach said. “I look forward to the opinions and thoughts expressed by those attending the forum and I hope those in attendance can take those back to Washington and formulate an effective policy.”

Questions will be accepted from audience members, but those questions will need to be written down and writing materials will be provided at the event, courtesy of the Times-Republican.

Those still seeking tickets are encouraged to send in their requests to the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce, ATTN: Immigration Summit, P.O. Box 1000, Marshalltown, IA. 50158. A return, self-addressed stamped envelope will need to accompany the request, along with a name and name of the organization the person is representing, an address and phone number.