Panel to address the politics of immigration at CWU

Immigration is among the forefront issues during current election campaigns across the nation as well as in Washington state.

A panel of central Washington community leaders and Central Washington University professors will address that hot-button topic during a forum Monday, October 17, at 6:30 p.m., in the university’s Student Union and Recreation Center. The free, public discussion will focus on both immigration law and public policy.

“It’s an issue that’s become ‘racialized,’” said Charles Reasons, CWU law and justice professor, who will serve as discussion moderator. “We need to look at the reality of the millions of people that are already here. It’s important to get some perspective from experts, removed from the politics of the issue.”

The panelists will include Yakima City Council representative Carmen Mendez, Mirta Laura Contreras, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project directing attorney; and CWU faculty Gilberto Garcia, political science; and Rodrigo Renteria-Velencia, anthropology.

“The panel will also engage the audience in the discussion,” Reasons points out.

The presentation is part of the university’s yearlong social justice and human rights series, centered around the topic of migration.

Media contact: Dawn Alford, coordinator, CWU Public Affairs, 509-963-1484, Dawn.Alford@cwu.edu

October 14, 2016

Note: Reasons appeared on Yakima’s NewsTalk 1280 AM KIT on Friday, October 14, during the Morning News with Dave and Lance to talk about the panel discussion.