Crossing Over: The Faces of Immigration in Corvallis – March 8th,2010

Erlinda Gonzales-Berry, Casa Latinos Unidos de Benton County
Iqbal Khurram, Corvallis
Mario Magana, Oregon State University
Yema Measho, Attorney at Law

 

Immigrants come to Corvallis for a variety of reasons. They reunite with family members, work in seasonal jobs and study in our colleges and universities. While many come through legal means, others do not and take the chance of being caught and sent home.

 

Immigration policy affects business, education, labor, law enforcement, families and other aspects of our communities. It has become a divisive political issue.

 

The March 8 meeting of the Corvallis City Club will offer four perspectives on the immigrant experience. Erlinda Gonzales-Berry is a retired Oregon State University professor who now coordinates Casa Latinos Unidos de Benton County, a nonprofit organization to assist Latino and Hispanic immigrants. Iqbal Khurram is a native of Afghanistan who came to Corvallis with his family in 2009. Mario Magana grew up in Mexico and now works with immigrant families as a 4-H Extension educator at OSU. Yema Measho is an attorney in Corvallis who specializes in immigration law.

 

The Corvallis City Club meets on the second Monday of each month from 11:45 – 1:30pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 114 SW 8th Street. Corvallis City Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding community dialogue and is sponsored by the Corvallis-Benton Chamber Coalition. The monthly events are open to the public. First time attendees and City Club members are free; non-members can attend for $5.

 

Registration is recommended, though not required. An optional buffet lunch is available for $10 with pre-registration.

 

For more information about the City Club of Corvallis, go to www.cityclubofcorvallis.org