New Student Group Formed

By Broadside News Editor Asma Chaudhary

The Immigration Advocacy Group, a newly formed student group focused on rights for residents in Prince William County—specifically concerning anti-immigration policies in the county—will have a panel discussion on Wednesday in the Johnson Center Cinema from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The event is titled, “Speak Out: The Experience of the Prince William County Immigration Community.”

According to Mason student Suzanne Lee, the issue of illegal immigration is a controversial issue, but one that could be resolved better by providing social services to all residents in Prince William County.

Lee said, “Today, the undocumented immigrants who are located in Prince William County are facing the alarming policies of the county’s immigration resolution.”

Recently, the issue of immigration has been discussed frequently in the news and this forum will provide more insight on the issue. The role of the resolution in Prince William may be an answer to the situation but for others, it is only adding to the problem.

“The resolution creates major problems for the many undocumented immigrants who want to work to support their families here in the United States,” Lee said.

The group, which will have a forum for both faculty and students to discuss solutions to the problems of racial profiling, culture stereotyping, arrests, terror and deportation, will have guest speakers as well for the event.

Lee said, “Political policies have set restraints on this community by not allowing them social services such as health care, elder care, counseling and employment opportunities.”

With the event, there will open dialogue about the issue in order to find a correct resolution, one that benefits everyone.

“This event will be committed to advocate by various individuals and groups for a more immigration policy to meet together to develop a larger community coalition,” Lee said. “As we will have this speak out, we just hope that people will be aware of issues that is going on right now in our neighborhoods and within our community.”

“Furthermore, through this event, we expect we will get more students to get involved and reach one step further for the resolution of this issue,” Lee said. “Because we are the future generation who can make difference and every voice counts. We hope to see the Mason community to speak out.”