From 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday at Monroe United Methodist Church, the UW Extension Office of Green and Lafayette counties and the Green County Latino Needs Council will host a rural immigration summit.
The purpose of the summit is to provide accurate and relevant information about immigrants, the causes of immigration, the economic impact of immigration and an overview of the laws affecting immigration.
Hispanics play a significant role in the workforce in Green and Lafayette counties. Many area cheese factories, farms and large companies employ them.
Many residents of Green and Lafayette counties welcome Hispanics to our communities with open arms. Many residents are more cautious in their interactions, stereotypically thinking most of them are here illegally. Some are, but certainly not all.
In Thursday's Monroe Times, reporter Tere Dunlap presents two stories: one on the struggle of immigrants to become Americanized while still holding on to the cultures of their home country. She speaks with a Mexican immigrant who's been here for 10 years, and another who is here illegally.
In a second story, Tere talks about the obstacles Hispanics encounter when trying to learn English, a big step in becoming a more productive part of American society.
These topics and others, like how do we understand what's bringing immigrants here, how to communicate with immigrant employees or clients, are they helping our local economy or taking away jobs, will be addressed by a panel of guest speakers.
Experts in the fields of population and immigration trends, the social and economic impact of immigration and immigration law will be on hand. Local bilingual experts on Latino immigrant families, communities and cultural sensitivity also will speak.
The summit looks to be an educational tool many residents can use to get a better handle on immigration and its effects on Green and Lafayette counties.
People can register for the summit by calling the Green County UW Extension office at 328-9440 or going to www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/green.
There is a $20 fee to attend the summit; it includes snacks and lunch. That's a small price to pay to collect a better understanding of an issue that affects all of us in some way.
The purpose of the summit is to provide accurate and relevant information about immigrants, the causes of immigration, the economic impact of immigration and an overview of the laws affecting immigration.
Hispanics play a significant role in the workforce in Green and Lafayette counties. Many area cheese factories, farms and large companies employ them.
Many residents of Green and Lafayette counties welcome Hispanics to our communities with open arms. Many residents are more cautious in their interactions, stereotypically thinking most of them are here illegally. Some are, but certainly not all.
In Thursday's Monroe Times, reporter Tere Dunlap presents two stories: one on the struggle of immigrants to become Americanized while still holding on to the cultures of their home country. She speaks with a Mexican immigrant who's been here for 10 years, and another who is here illegally.
In a second story, Tere talks about the obstacles Hispanics encounter when trying to learn English, a big step in becoming a more productive part of American society.
These topics and others, like how do we understand what's bringing immigrants here, how to communicate with immigrant employees or clients, are they helping our local economy or taking away jobs, will be addressed by a panel of guest speakers.
Experts in the fields of population and immigration trends, the social and economic impact of immigration and immigration law will be on hand. Local bilingual experts on Latino immigrant families, communities and cultural sensitivity also will speak.
The summit looks to be an educational tool many residents can use to get a better handle on immigration and its effects on Green and Lafayette counties.
People can register for the summit by calling the Green County UW Extension office at 328-9440 or going to www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/green.
There is a $20 fee to attend the summit; it includes snacks and lunch. That's a small price to pay to collect a better understanding of an issue that affects all of us in some way.
