University to Host State Department Sponsored Seminar on Border Issues

The UA was chosen by the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico for its wealth of experience on issues along the border.


By University Communications
March 6, 2009




The University of Arizona has once again been selected to host a one-week seminar for visiting Mexican researchers specializing in U.S.-Mexico relations.

The seminar – sponsored by the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico and organized by the UA – aims to provide the researchers with a detailed perspective on current issues facing Arizona and trends along the border.

"The involvement of the UA in this event confirms our position as a leading institution on U.S.-Mexico border issues," said Francisco Marmolejo of the UA's Office of Western Hemispheric Programs.

Marmolejo's office is co-organizing the seminar in conjunction with "Fronteridades," a UA border research group.

He added that the event provides a unique opportunity for researchers from both sides of the border to meet, share research agendas and develop new collaborative partnerships.

The Mexican contingent consists of researchers in Mexico from universities as far south as Oaxaca and as close to the border as Sonora, plus cultural affairs officials from several U.S. Consulate General Offices in Mexico.

The seminar begins with meetings in Phoenix then moves to Tucson, Nogales, Altar, Sasabe and Eloy.

While in Phoenix, the group will meet with Arizona officials including Sen. Jorge Garcia, Rep. Russell L. Jones, assistant attorney general Cameron Holmes and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, including a visit with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

While in Tucson, the group will meet with UA President Robert N. Shelton then convene for presentations by researchers, business representatives and federal government agencies working in border security. They also will meet with representatives of human rights organizations and UA researchers.

The seminar includes a question and answer session with agents at a Border Patrol processing station as well as a trip to the Nogales and Sasabe Port of Entry facilities.

The UA was chosen by the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico for its wealth of experience on issues along the U.S.-Mexico border and for its proximity to the region.

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