Interethnic dialogues gather diverse community voices on immigration issues

Story by Carol Fouke-Mpoyo/CWS

Church World Service contributed to this year's U.S. national debate on immigration through a series of Interethnic Dialogues on Immigration that enabled participants to share diverse views with others in their community and move toward unity and action.

Nine local dialogues from April through July will culminate in a national dialogue later this year. The dialogues were distinctive in two respects: the broad ethnic diversity of those taking part, and the intentional lack of a pre-set agenda.

Inclusion of delegates from Latino, African, Asian, European, and Middle Eastern immigrant communities, along with U.S.-born populations, recognized that all are affected by U.S. and local immigration policies and practices, said Jamie Pitts, dialogue coordinator. Also participating: public officials, academics, school superintendents, religious leaders of several faiths, and representatives of community organizations that interact with immigrants.

Participants were asked to bring the one immigration-related issue that was most important to them or their organization. Blank newsprint quickly filled up with attendees' priorities, and small groups were formed to tackle clusters of related issues.

For example, on May 16 in Omaha, 62 participants including Latinos, Africans, African Americans, and Euro-Americans discussed community education, English language training, early childhood education for refugees and immigrants, comprehensive immigration reform, legal issues, health care, domestic violence, confronting discrimination, and employment issues, among others.

Local dialogues also were held in Grand Rapids, Miami, Boston, Chicago, Columbus, New Haven, Syracuse, and Atlanta.

For more information in both English and Spanish: www.immigrationdialogues.org

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