Paranoias quelled

Following a registration fee, hundreds of students packed into the multipurpose hall to participate in the second annual Immigration, Education, and Our Future Conference at the Eastview Campus. Austin Community College in partnership with St. Edward's University invited speakers and students to the conference.

On Feb. 6 the nine-hour event began with speakers from all over the country addressing a full auditorium of students and faculty regarding the effects immigration has on certain facets of American life, or lack thereof. Following the lecture, participants were scattered across a multitude of classrooms for individual workshops.

Paul Hart, professor of history at Texas State University, kicked off the event with a PowerPoint presentation which demonstrated the economic effects of immigration with facts and figures, and several graphic images emphasizing the social paranoia that immigrants endure.

Students were glued to presenters like Kevin Appleby, the director of Migration and Refugee Services for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C. Appleby spoke about the stigmas of Catholicism in politics, and how it relates to immigration. Other speakers included Austin's Immigration Attorney Paul Parsons, Economist John Hockenyos, and House Representative Rick Noriega.

"There is an inconsistent application of immigration law," Dr. Richard Armenta, Associate Vice President, Office of Student Success, at ACC, said that the Supreme Court says that young immigrant children have to be educated, but high education can be hard to attain, and "these families face a great deal of uncertainty."

On an informal survey following the conclusion of last year's conference, students were asked questions about what ethical dilemmas challenge their community. A common answer presented was an understanding that immigrant students were seen as "obvious targets," and there was apprehension to discover how many undocumented students are currently enrolled in our institutions. A week later, on Feb. 13, Immigration Attorney Mehron Azarmehr conducted a free seminar, answering student questions regarding how to attain a Work Visa, permanent residency, and the status of the DREAM Act. More events regarding immigration are sure to follow.