Latino/Latin American Studies program to host series of immigration reform events

This spring, the Latino/Latin American Studies (LLAS) program at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University will host a series of events pertaining to immigration reform.

The events begin Jan. 29, and continue through April 2 at the two campuses. All events are free and open to the public. Here is a look at the schedule:

• Viewing of "Harvest of Empire: The Untold Stories of Latinos in America" - 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Quadrangle Building 264, SJU. LLAS will present the 2012 documentary "Harvest of Empire: the Untold Stories of Latinos in America." This film, based on the book by award-winning journalist Juan González, examines the role that U.S. economic and military interests played in triggering an unexpected wave of migration which is transforming the cultural and economic landscape of the U.S.
• Panel commentary of "Harvest of Empire: The Untold Stories of Latinos in America" - 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5 at Quadrangle Building 264, SJU. A panel commentary of the documentary, "Harvest of Empire: The Untold Story of Latinos in America" will be held featuring Filiberto Nolasco, program manager of Global Citizens Network, an organization based out of Minneapolis that creates opportunities for people to volunteer in communities and indigenous cultures throughout the world; Francisco Segovia, director of Waite House, a community center based out of Minneapolis that creates human services and programs to engage the community in culturally relevant initiatives that build on peoples' strengths and addresses injustices that exist in low-income communities of color; and Mary Bellman, CSB alumna and faculty member of the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota where she teaches Union Organizing and Labor Relations.
• Viewing of "Smuggled" - 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 in the Gorecki Family Theater of the Benedicta Arts Center at CSB. Filmmaker Ramón Hamilton will present his latest film, entitled "Smuggled." This film follows 9-year-old Miguel Rodriguez's journey north, when he and his mother attempt to enter the U.S. for the first time. Hamilton will also discuss current issues related to immigration and human trafficking.
• Presentation by immigration lawyer Mary Kramer - 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2 in room 204B, Gorecki Dining and Conference Center, CSB. Kraemer will talk about her experiences as an immigration lawyer. Kraemer is currently based in Miami and is a 1991 CSB alumna. She specializes in cases of unusual immigration history, cases pertaining to people who have been arrested or convicted of a crime and cases of complex political asylum.

CSB and SJU students who would like to attend all events may register for the course "LLAS 270: Readings in Latino/Latin American Studies," which can be taken for zero or one credit, pass/fail. Course requirements include attending all events, meeting to discuss three readings and writing a 3-4 page essay. If students choose to take the course for no credit, they may opt out of the essay portion. If interested, contact Eleonora Bertranou, director of the Latino/Latin American Studies program at CSB and SJU at [email protected] and be sure to specify whether or not the course will be taken for credit.