“Immigration: Fact, Fiction and Solutions” will explore the complexities of modern immigration – from mass deportations to the history of U.S. policy – at a free public forum Friday, Feb. 13. The discussion, presented by Quad Cities Civic Conversations, will be from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Rock Island Public Library Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30th St.
The featured speaker will be Peter Kivisto, the Richard A. Swanson professor of social thought emeritus at Augustana College, Rock Island.
Mr. Kivisto emphasized the importance of understanding current realities, noting that “anti-immigrant xenophobia has reached levels akin to a century ago when the U.S. effectively closed its doors to newcomers.”
He plans to highlight historical parallels, including the resurgence of the KKK in the 1920s and the post-1950s shift when the American public largely “embraced the idea that we are a nation of immigrants.”
The forum is open to the public and will address:
The essential role of immigrants in society.
How immigrants and their children can integrate into society.
Thoughtful revisions to current immigration laws.
Allison Ambrose, co-facilitator of the Immigration Coalition of the Quad Cities and Progressive Action for the Common Good (PACG) board member, said the goal is to offer better options than current protocols.
“We also hope those who take part will leave with a better perspective of the obstacles that immigrants face when pursuing citizenship and understand that immigrants are human beings with the same wants and desires as all of us,” Ms. Ambrose said.
A question-and-answer period will follow Mr. Kivisto’s presentation, with an invitation for continued dialogue afterward.
PACG, along with One Human Family of the QCA, Quad Cities Interfaith and Iowa Citizens Action Network, are sponsors of Quad Cities Civic Conversations.
Registration is available via Eventbrite here. For questions, contact Ms. Ambrose at [email protected].