City learning center hosting DACA discussion
Several local organizations are sponsoring a session on individuals in the United States under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policy.
“DACA and the Central American Refugee Crisis,” will be a panel discussion and presentation from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Columbus Learning Center, 4555 Central Ave. It is sponsored by Bartholomew County Indivisible, Su Casa of Columbus and L.O.V.E. — Latino Organization of Volunteers in Education.
Guest speaker will be Ramon Marquez, director of the La 72 migrant shelter in Tabasco, Mexico. Donations will be accepted to support L.O.V.E. and the La 72.
DACA is an American immigration policy allowing some individuals who entered the United States as minors and who remained in the country illegally to receive a renewable deferred action from deportation and legally secure a job. An estimated 690,000 young adults are currently in the program nationwide, according to the federal government.
For more information, call 812-371-5547.
Columbus hosting state appeals court session
The Indiana Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments on a case at Ivy Tech Community College — Columbus at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
The session, called “Appeals on Wheels,” brings oral arguments to locations across Indiana to enable Hoosiers to observe real-world issues the court is considering. The session will be in the auditorium (Room 100) of the Columbus Learning Center, 4555 Central Ave.
A panel consisting of Judge John G. Baker, Judge Edward W. Najam Jr. and Judge Robert R. Altice will hear oral arguments on the case of J.R. vs. State of Indiana, a case in which the appellant is challenging a finding of juvenile delinquency.
The appellant, J.R., alleges that a police pat-down search of his person was not permitted under U.S. and Indiana Constitutions.
The Columbus session, scheduled to last about one hour, is open to the public and students, and a question-and-answer session will follow the arguments. However, the judges cannot speak about the case they have just heard.
The court has offered nearly 500 “Appeals on Wheels” sessions since 2000, and this session will be the court’s 24th this year.
For more information, go online at courts.in.gov/appeals.
