Immigration Forum

Prior to the end of 2010 and at the beginning of 2011, the CRC started down a path of facilitating dialogue and information-sharing on topics and in environments that are currently important to many in this community. A common and sometimes specific theme throughout these engagements was the CRC Principles for Community Engagement. More specifically, the CRC: 

• pursued intentional dialogue with the Goshen Ministerial Association and Concilio Hispano
• played a public role in facilitating election-related conversations among individuals running for City Offices and City Council in 2011
• began an extensive process of exploring the topic of illegal immigration. 

Due to the support of many individuals and groups in the community and the investment of time by many both within and outside of the CRC, each of these endeavors has been implemented and in some cases completed. This page is intended to share information about the Immigration Forum that was held on June 23, 2011 at the Goshen High School Auditorium. 

The forum involved a presentation by Dr. Steven Nolt (Professor of History at Goshen College) on the history of immigration, a response from Saulo Padilla (Director of Immigration Education for Mennonite Central Committee), and a response from Bob Schrameyer (Founder and President of Citizens for Immigration Law Enforcement). After the main presentation and responses, the audience was invited to participate in a question and answer session. For additional information about the forum please refer to the program  which provides information about the speakers, the purpose of this forum, the sponsors and other information that you will find to be helpful. 

Approximately 350-400 people from the community attended this event.  The slides presented by Dr. Steve Nolt during his presentation can also be viewed on the CRC Facebook page. 

• Opening by Vince Turner, moderator
• Introduction by Richard Aguirre , CRC member and event organizer
• Presentation by Dr. Steve Nolt and his answers to questions posed by the audience
• Response by Saulo Padilla and his answers to questions posed by the audience
• Response by Bob Schrameyer and his answers to questions posed by the audience
• Questions from the audience and the related answers by Nolt, Padilla, and Schrameyer:
  • What is the population of Hispanics in our area?
  • What is the approximate economic impact of the Hispanic community on this county, the state, and the country?
  • In the 1960's why did the quota system shift to limit immigration from the Americas?
  • What would you consider a reasonable amount of annual legal immigration? And, Would you be in favor of an Ellis Island style of immigration system on our southern border?
  • What would be a reasonable route to authorize status and citizenship for the millions that are here without authorization?
  • If you do not favor a program to grant citizenship to the unauthorized immigrants what do you propose doing with the 12-13 million unauthorized persons who are already here?
  • What caused the foreign born percentage of the population to drop in the 1970's?
  • If we want immigrants to learn English where will they learn if they don't get instruction in school?
  • Can each of you please discuss your view about the Dream Act?
  • How do you think our local media either helps or hinders a healthy immigration conversation?
  • How can states pass laws that are federal in nature?
  • How do you believe multiculturalism has been a failure?
• Open mic during which the audience was able to share additional questions, ideas and concerns* 

Following the forum more than 60 persons signed up to engage in round table discussions. The purpose of the community round tables will be to: 

• allow participants to express candid views on immigration
• review background information on immigration
• uncover similarities and differences in their positions
• allow participants to develop joint recommendations for lawmakers 

At this point the CRC continues to plan for these round table discussions. If you would like to participate in these round tables please email us so that we can send you an invitation when the date, time and location are determined. 

The CRC encourages continued dialogue on this topic and invites you to share your thoughts on the CRC Facebook page or by contacting one of the CRC commissioners.

* Due to technical issues, the final 20 minutes of the forum were not recorded and are unfortunately, not available for posting on this web page.