In an effort to educate the public about immigration reform, a public forum will be held in Emporia next week.
The forum will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Grace United Methodist Church, 2 Neosho St. The purpose of the forum is to educate people about congressional proposals to reform the nation’s immigration system. Speakers will include representatives from businesses, immigrants, churches and the community.
Melinda Lewis, director of policy advocacy and research for El Centro, an organization based in Kansas City, Kan., said she is part of a campaign for comprehensive immigration reform by a coalition of faith-based groups, immigrant organizations and community organizations.
Lewis said she’s been working with some people in Emporia trying to address some of the challenges in the community.
“We have recruited some folks that will give testimony for the local need for immigration reform in Emporia,” Lewis said.
The flyer for the event stated that the problems with the immigration system include families separated for decades; employers unable to legally hire workers; frustration with border insecurity; and immigrants with no real path to citizenship.
Lewis said she would talk about the options on the table for Congress and how the Emporia community can be a part of the debate. Discussion also will center on Emporia and the challenges that immigrants, documented and non-documented, face in the city.