Presented by: Josie Gonzalez
Two Wednesdays: May 15 and 22 • 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
Immigration is one of the top three issues impacting the outcome of the elections. Unquestionably, it is a contentious, divisive, emotionally charged, multi-faceted and seemingly insoluble issue. This two-part seminar will provide a historical perspective of now we got here, including an in-depth discussion of the efforts of the Immigration and Control Act of 1986 to regularize the status of millions of immigrants and to eliminate the magnet of job opportunities by imposing criminal and civil fines against employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers. We will provide an overview of the key immigration issues that must be understood, such as current legal avenues, both family: and employment based, to attain temporary or permanent resident status; the various legislative and executive action efforts to regularize the status of undocumented immigrants; the economic and cultural impact of immigration; and border security with the challenges of handling the tremendous influx of minors, families, and asylum seekers into the U.S. from across the globe. We will discuss how all the above challenges are being handled by other countries and learn how recognition of the need to address the root causes of migration is the catalyst for Vice President Harris’ s implementation of the “Root Causes Strategy.” Suggested solutions to our immigration quagmire by all attendees are welcomed.
“It says something about our country that people around the world are willing to leave their homes and leave their families and risk everything to come to America. Their talent and hard work and love of freedom have helped make America the leader of the world.” -George W. Bush
Preferred registration deadline: May 8, 2024
For more information see brochure here.