???The Immigration Issue??? A Panel Discussion at the Weaver Library
Immigration–myths about it and what immigrants face–is the focus of a panel discussion at the Weaver Library on Monday, October 2, 2017 at 7 pm.
Three panelists:???? a young man who was brought to the US as an infant; an immigration lawyer; and the director of the leading RI resettlement organization will share their perspectives.
Rodrigo Pimentel, a URI student studying computer science, will relate his personal experience as a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient.
His parents brought him to the US from Portugal when he was ten months old. Being undocumented, he has only??been able to obtain a driver’s license and a work permit through the DACA program.
Attorney Deborah Gonzalez will discuss legal issues and processes that immigrants face. Gonzalez is director of the Immigration Law Clinic, and Associate Clinical Professor of Law at Roger Williams University. Under her direction, student attorneys of the Immigration Clinic learn law and skills to represent indigent immigrants who need assistance.
Kathleen Cloutier, executive director of Dorcas International Institute of RI, will dispel common myths about immigrants and refugees, and describe the help and support available to them in RI. Dorcas International is the leading non-profit in the state that provides advocacy and services such as legal help and adult education to immigrants and refugees. ??
Jordan Verner, a member of the East Providence Committee for Immigrant Support and former president of the RI League of Women Voters, will moderate a question-and-answer period. ??
The event, sponsored by the Library and the East Providence Committee for Immigrant Support, is free and open to all. ??
Weaver Library is located at 41 Grove Avenue in East Providence. Questions??? Call the library at 401-434-2453.