Thread: TX: Former Mexican cabinet member to talk immigration

Former Mexican cabinet member to talk immigration
April 10, 2008

By Belinda Colunga
Reporter
Dr. Juan Hernandez, author of The New American Pioneers, will speak at 6 p.m. Thursday in Kayser Auditorium on Mexican immigration. His lecture will be based on his notes, "Why are We Afraid of Mexican Immigrants?"

Hernandez, a member of former Mexican President Vicente Fox's cabinet, will be the final speaker for The Academy for Leader Development and Civic Engagement's spring lecture series on leadership in public life. Hernandez has previously served as a speaker in Chapel.

"Participants will gain another perspective on the issues of immigration; hopefully expand the dialog on immigration reform asking the question, 'Where should we as a nation be in creating reform on this issue?'" said Ramona Curtis, director for Leader Development and Civic Engagement. "When I met Dr. Hernandez last year, I found him to be very passionate about communities working together for the greater good. No matter where you stand on the issues of immigration, this lecture will prove to be engaging."

Hernandez has a lengthy history of involvement in the Hispanic community. From serving as the first United States-born member of the Mexican cabinet to founding the Organization for Hispanic Advancement in October 2003, Hernandez is a proponent of immigration reform.

"He's playing a key role nationally by facilitating an important discussion about immigration, and he's certainly an expert on the topic," said Dr. Frank Shushok, dean for student learning and engagement. "He has strong opinions about immigration reform that will spur on needed dialogue among students."

Although immigration reform has been a long-standing issue in Congress, a reasonable plan has yet to be formulated. Based on a survey poll on Hernandez's Web site and part of his message to Congress, 75 percent of potential voters are most likely to vote for a reform plan supporting a temporary guest worker plan, legal residency and citizenship granted to workers and punishment for employers who break the law.

Immigration is a prominent issue in debates due to the 2008 presidential elections. The public should be well informed and educated when expressing their opinions, Shushok said.

"I hope the audience will learn that issues relating to immigration are really about human beings and the choices we have in pursuit of a more humane and just world for everyone," he said.

Students that are part of the academy are required to attend lectures to get an insight on leadership and what roles they should play on such issues.

"Dr. Hernandez is going to give a perspective to get students to think about and expand on world views. It's a hot political topic right now and (the lecture) will engage students in that conversation," Curtis said.

Tyler junior Yazmin Mancilla said misconceptions have been formed about illegal immigrants, so the lecture will give students an opportunity to discuss their opinions together.

"Students should become more aware of the different laws enacted in government and how they affect us and undocumented workers," Mancilla said. "There is only so much we can learn here, but we can understand more from someone who can give a better perspective of immigration, especially since he worked for the Mexican government."

http://www.baylor.edu/lariat/news.php?a ... tory=50375

Is he going to promote McCain?


The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
Franklin D. Roosevelt