President's Peace Commission

Brother Edward Violet, S.M., Ph.D., International Relations, St. Mary's University opens the October 2005 President's Peace Commission with prayer. St. Mary's President Charles Cotrell introduces the panelists: Sylvia Manzano, Ph.D., Political Science, St. Mary's University; Isabel Rodriguez, student, St. Mary's University; and Rey Valencia, J.D., School of Law, St. Mary's University. The panel addresses questions such as, Who are immigrants? What groups of people come the United States and where do they tend to settle? What changes have occurred over time in terms of who comes to the U.S. and where they settle? Why do they come to the U.S.? What are the "push/pull" factors that bring immigrants to the United States? What, exactly, is the difference between illegal and legal immigrants? How do legal immigrants become illegal? How do illegal immigrants become legal? What are immigration trends in Texas and especially in South Texas? (70 minutes)

Dr. Celine A. Jacquemin, Political Science, St. Mary's University, serves as moderator for this session. She introduces Kavita Bhalla, student, St. Mary's University; Ignacio G. Martinez, student, St. Mary's University; and Gianantonio "Jonathan" Michelon, Political Science, St. Mary's University. Dr. Jacquemine was born and raised in the south of France. Though Ms. Bhalla is the daughter of Kenyan-born parents and she herself was born in the U.K., she is of Indian ancestry. Mr. Martinez was born and raised in Mexico. Mr. Michelon was born and raised in Italy. Ms. Bhalla described the arduous process of obtaining "permenant residency" in the United States. Dr. Jacquemin also discussed the difficulty of obtaining (and retaining) student visas and later immigration paperwork to become a U.S. citizen. Mr. Martinez detailed his expectations of life at St. Mary's University and compared it to his family's life in Mexico. Mr. Michelon also recounted his tale of immigration to the U.S. Throughout this session, the panelists responded to questions such as, What stereotypes have you encountered? What have been the greatest challenges you have confronted? Do you think the United States is a melting pot of immigrants? What benefits do you think immigrants can bring to the U.S.? (56 minutes)

Patricia Mejia, Associate Director, 21st Century Leadership Center, and St. Mary's University alumna, introduces Andy Hernandez, Executive Director, 21st Leadership Center, St. Mary's University, and Frank Pino, Ph.D., Modern Languages and Literature, University of Texas at San Antonio. Mr. Hernandez and Dr. Pino answer the following questions in their panel discussion: What have been recent trends in changing demographics in the United States as a result of immigration patterns? What have been recent trends in changing demographics in Texas as a result of immigration patterns? What political impact, if any, do these trends have in the political arena, national, state, or local? What are some future implications of present trends? (For example, are there clear patterns of voting behavior that will have an impact in future elections?) What are some of the cultural impacts of immigration trends? How have immigration trends affected our understanding of national identity? (65 minutes)

Dr. Zaida Martinez, School of Business and Administration, St. Mary's University, welcomes and introduces Kristina Ruiz-Healy, columnist for Connexion and commentator for Texas Public Radio; and Rebecca Flores, Texas Director, United Farm Workers and St. Mary's University alumna. This panel addresses the questions: What are the arguments that suggest that immigrants are an economic plus for the United States? What are the arguments that immigrants are an economic cost for the United States. Is there a difference in the economic impact of documented and undocumented immigrants for the U.S.? What are the economic effects of immigrants for San Antonio? What are the economic costs and benefits (or other costs and benefits) for the countries from which the immigrants left? (47 minutes)

Moderator Dr. Richard S. Pressman, English, St. Mary's University, welcomes the audience and panelists. A moment of silence is observed for the 2,000 U.S. American soldiers who have died in Iraq (a sad milestone that was passed the preceding day) and for the thousands of men, women, and children who have died in Iraq. Dr. Pressman introduces Maggie Gaytan, Facility Administrator of Texas Sheltered Care in Nixon, Texas, and a few of her case workers Manuel Cevallos, Jason Montoya, José Muñoz, Gloria Ordóñez, and Norma Riojas. Ms. Gaytan explains that Texas Sheltered Care works with refugee or immigrant children and minors who have been orphaned or sent to the United States unaccompanied. As such, Ms. Gaytan and her staff are well-equipped to answer the following questions regarding various social policies in the United States. What social welfare program (federal or state) are documented immigrants eligible for? What social welfare programs (federal or state) are undocumented immigrants eligible for? What is the debate over access to public education? Health care? What are some examples of different states' responses to immigrants and social welfare? (52 minutes)

Dr. Leona Pallansch, Political Science, St. Mary's University, welcomes the audience and requests a moment of silence to honor the 2,000 U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq (a sad milestone which had been passed the preceding day) and the thousands of Iraqi men, women, and children killed. Rebecca Flores makes a brief announcement regarding a petition to be sent to Texas's congressional representatives regarding the unionization of migrant farm workers. Dr. Pallansch then introduces Dr. Janet Armitage, Sociology, St. Mary's University, and Hernán Rozemberg, the senior writer for immigration affairs at the San Antonio Express-News and graduate student at St. Mary's University in International Relations. Dr. Armitage and Mr. Rozemberg respond to these questions: What are some of the citizen action groups that have been created to respond to perceived immigration problems? What are the objectives and strategies of some of these groups? What are the main debates and controversies surrounding these groups? What is (should be) the relationship between citizen action groups and government agencies? The panel discusses the impact of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on U.S. immigration, the newly-formed Department of Homeland Security, and citizen groups, such as Minutemen, whose presence along the U.S.-Mexico border has been reported in the news. They also discuss immigration trends and population movements. (45 minutes)

Andrew Hill, Director, Service Learning Center, St. Mary's University, welcomes the audience and requests a moment of silence for the 2,000 U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq (a sad milestone which had been passed the preceding day) and for the thousands of Iraqi men, women, and children who have also been killed. Mr. Hill then introduces the two speakers for this panel: Marcus Gemoets, Director and Attorney, Immigration Services, Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio; and Father Rudy Vela, S.M., D. Min., Theology, St. Mary's University. Mr. Gemoets and Father Vela respond to the following questions. What is Catholic social teaching and how does it relate to the topic of immigration? Are there examples of individuals or groups who deal with immigrants in a manner consistent with Catholic social teaching? Are there "gaps" between Catholic social teaching and U.S. immigration policies and practices? How does the Catholic Church help immigrants in the United States? in San Antonio? (46 minutes)

Floyd Contreras, student, St. Mary's University, welcomes the audience and requests a moment of silence for the 2,000 U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq (a sad milestone which had been passed earlier in the week) and for the thousands of Iraqi men, women, and children who have also been killed. Rebecca Flores briefly announces a petition which is available for signing that will be sent to Texas's congressional representatives regarding the unionization of migrant farm workers. Mr. Contreras then introduces Lee Terán, J.D., Clinical Professor of Law, Center for Legal and Social Justice, St. Mary's University, and Daniel M. Kowalski, J.D., Attorney, Editor-in-Chief, Bender's Immigration Bulletin and St. Mary's University alumnus. Ms. Terán and Mr. Kowalski respond to the following questions. What are the major points of the present U.S. immigration policy? What have been some of the major changes in immigration law in the 20th century and why were changes seen as necessary? What are some of the arguments made now that changes in policy are required? What are some of the proposed changes in existing immigration policy and what problems are they intended to address and how do they "solve" the problem? (73 minutes)

Weston Elkins, student, St. Mary's University, welcomes the audience and requests a moment of silence in honor of the 2,000 U.S. soldiers who have died in Iraq (a sad milestone which was passed earlier in the week) and for the thousands of Iraqi men, women, and children who have also lost their lives. Rebecca Flores announces that a petition to be sent to Texas's congressional representatives regarding the unionization of migrant workers is available. Mr. Elkins then introduces the session's panel members: John Blatz, J.D., Executive Director, RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services) and Margaret Y. Luévano, Director, International Student Services, St. Mary's University. This panel addresses the following questions: Are there areas where there are inconsistencies in immigration legislation and its enforcement? What are some of the obstacles in implementing immigration legislation effectively? What are some impacts on San Antonio of implementation of immigration legislation? On St. Mary's University in terms of our international students? (45 minutes)

Migdalia Garcia, Service Learning Center, St. Mary's University, welcomes the audience, then requests a moment of silence in honor of the 2,000 U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq (a sad milestone passed earlier in the week) and for the thousands of Iraqi men, women, and children who have also lost their lives. Rebecca Flores briefly announces the availability of a petition to be sent to Texas's congressional representatives regarding the unionization of migrant farm workers. Ms. Garcia introduces the panel members: Mansour El-Kikhia, Ph.D., Political Science and Geography, University of Texas at San Antonio; and Anne Ohlrich, Foreign Service Officer, U.S. State Department and International Relations professor, St. Mary's University. Dr. El-Kikhia and Ms. Ohlrich address the following questions during this session: How did the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 affect immigration policies and practices in the United States? What are the different positions concerning the relationship between immigration, immigration policy, and national security? To what extent is immigration a threat to national security? How have attitudes about immigrants in the United States changed in the past few years? Are changing attitudes the result of national security concerns or economic concerns? (68 minutes)