League of Women Voters aims to boost immigration education
Immigration has been one of the most hotly debated issues in recent years. However, the topic is often as misunderstood as it is discussed.
Given such a complex and confusing issue, the League of Women’s Voters of San Joaquin County, a nonprofit organization that focuses primarily on voter registration and education, is hosting a series focused on immigration. The first program of the threepart series, titled “Immigration: Learning the Basics,” will offer a broad overview of the U.S. immigration process.
“We look at what issues we think the community needs most help in understanding, and then we implement these educational topics in our programs.” said Susan Mora Loyko, secretary of the league’s local chapter. “We realized what a big topic this (immigration) is, and decided to inform the public on basics like student visas, costs, quotas.”
Program topics for the upcoming series include:
• General overview: history, purpose, and timeline of the United States’ immigration system
• Legal process for both individuals and families who wish to stay in the United States
• Citizenship
• Asylum
• Costs
• Legal documentation
• Visas
• Permanent resident cards Each program consists of two presenters. Robin Aronna, the program director from Catholic Charities Diocese of Stockton Immigration Services, will speak about the basic premise of the immigration program.
Valasay Chang from the Sacramento office of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, previously known as the Immigration and Naturalization Services, will give a general overview of immigration and a brief history of our country.
The first part of the series will be presented this Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Health Plan of San Joaquin building next to the San Joaquin General Hospital, 7751 S. Manthey Road, French Camp.
The program is free to the public. Prior to the meeting, coffee and refreshments will be served at 9:30 a.m.
“The League and its programs are open to everyone,” Mora Loyko said. “We would like everyone from across the community, even men, to attend because immigration impacts all of us. Both men and women are also members.”
Mora Loyko, who says the local league chapter has been around for nearly 100 years, noted that the group is a nonpartisan organization.
“The league is unique in that we study different topics, doing our own research, and then take a stand on it one way or another,” Mora Loyko said. “It is also nonpartisan, so we never support or oppose any political party or candidate.”