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Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Wednesday, September 05, 2007

LWV plans immigration meetings

By REID MAGNEY/La Crosse Tribune

Immigration will be the subject of a series of public meetings sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area.

“The league is studying immigration nationally, and these meetings are a way for our members and the community to learn about the issue,” said Elizabeth Kruck, co-chairwoman of the local league’s program committee.

“These are informational programs to learn more about the different aspects of immigration. There’s no agenda or ‘side’,” Kruck said. While there will be time for questions and answers, the meetings aren’t debates, she said.

Starting Thursday, Sept. 13, the league will hold weekly brown bag lunch meetings on different aspects of immigration at South Side Community Center, 1300 S. Sixth St.

The league will co-sponsor a program Tuesday, Oct. 16, at University of Wisconsin-

La Crosse. Here’s the schedule and topics:

Sept. 13, noon, language challenges for immigrants. Speakers include English teachers working with people who speak other languages at local colleges and schools.

Sept. 20, noon, immigration legal issues. Speakers include an immigration attorney.

Sept. 27, noon, racial and ethnic aspects of immigration policy. Speaker is professor Jonathan Majak of UW-L.

Oct. 4, economic and job impacts of immigration and migrant labor. Speakers include Terry Hicks of the local AFL-CIO.

Oct. 16, 6 p.m., UW-L Cartwright Center, program on the impact of immigration laws on Latino youth, whether born in the United States or immigrating at a very young age with their parents and/or other family members. Presenters include professors Majak, Janis Hansen and Margarita Olivas.

For more information about the league’s immigration programs, call Kruck at (608) 689-2222.

Reid Magney can be reached at (608) 791-8211 or rmagney@lacrossetribune.com.