The Arizona shootings could intensify immigration legislation in Utah. The immigration issues and upcoming referendums to be voted on in the upcoming legislative session will be discussed at Salt Lake Community College in the form of an open door seminar.
Multicultural Initiatives of SLCC under the direction of Debbie Corsino-Moore will join together with the Enriching Utah Coalition (EUC) and Comunidades Unidas (United Communities) to inform students, faculty, and the community on understanding how to interpret and act upon immigration law.
The purpose of this two-day event (Jan. 18-19) is “Teaching people how to be advocates and making their issues known to their congressional representative,” Corsino-Moore said. The process by which a person can access a bill in the legislature will also be discussed. By doing so, the general public will be better informed on how they can become educated and make their voice known from a congressional standpoint.
The event is strictly educational and will not promote any political party. EUC has issued the following mission statement: “We are to eliminate ethnic disparities by promoting grassroots outreach, education, and capacity building as well as advocating for long-term change.”
“Diversity is much more than racial ethnicity,” Corsino-Moore added. “It is differences in culture, religion, and disability as well.” She hopes that all those who come and learn at this advocacy training will: understand the issues with immigration legislation, increase the knowledge base for students and the public on government policy, and listen to different perspectives from people with different backgrounds.
The immigration legislation event will take place on Tuesday, January 18th in English and on Wednesday, January 19th in Spanish. The event will be featured in the Oak Room of the Student Center at the SLCC Taylorsville Redwood Campus. The event is available to students, faculty, and the public from 7 to 9 p.m. each day.