A
student-led effort across facilitate multidisciplinary dialogue, awareness,
and action on international development.
Undocumented Individuals in America: Resources in a Broken System
Hosted by the School of Social Work
In February, CUPID organized its monthly forum on undocumented individuals. A packed room full of audience members was eagerly anticipating a panel of professionals and students to discuss and share their experiences about working with undocumented individuals in the United States. The panel was scheduled at a very opportune time as the House was debating the H.R. 4437 bill, which many considered detrimental to the negative and difficult conditions hundreds of thousands of immigrants (documented and undocumented) already faced. The evening began with a short documentary film on undocumented individuals living in New York City.
Multiple perspectives on the plights, resources, and solutions were presented. Students from SIPA, Teachers College, and Public Health delivered outstanding presentations on their work with undocumented individuals. Professors from the Social Work and the Journalism Schools shared their experiences on writing about immigrants and immigration. Professionals from the Law School (Child Advocacy Clinic) and Families for Freedom, an immigration advocacy organization, discussed the – legal and other – challenges immigrants have to deal with on a daily basis.
The panel created a collaborative atmosphere where engaged audience members, also from diverse backgrounds, asked questions that further enriched the discussion. Despite the monumental situation facing immigration, many left the panel feeling more knowledgeable about undocumented individuals and re-energized about fighting against the unjust laws and conditions they face.
Speakers included:
- Ryan Newton - SIPA (Immigration Working Group)
- Ragini Shah - Law (Child Advocacy Clinic)
- Professor Neeraj Kaushal - Social Work
- Professor Mirta Ojito - Journalism
- Liceth Garica - Public Health
- Subhash Kateel - Social Work (Families for Freedom)
- Rosario Torres-Guevara & Lori Ungemah - Teachers College
back to main development forums page
OTHER PAST FORUMS
Nov. 26, 2006: Trade
Nov. 8, 2006: Elections
Sept. 27, 2006: Energy
Apr. 19, 2006: Climate Change
Mar. 7, 2006: Non-Formal Education
Feb. 21, 2006: Immigration
Jan. 23, 2006: Media
Nov. 30, 2005: World Aids Day
Nov. 21, 2005: Hydropower
Oct. 10, 2005: Hurricane Katrina
To learn more or to get involved, contact CUPID's Forum Coordinator, Providence Spina (pms2113@columbia.edu).
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