A Carmel attorney will separate fact from fiction with a free presentation on immigration law Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church.
“Just the Facts: A Conversation on Current Immigration Law and Policy” from 6:30 to 8 p.m. is meant in part to clear up misinformation connected to issues related to immigrant families that have been separated at the Mexican border, according to organizers.
The Rev. Felipe Martinez, First Presbyterian’s pastor and a native of Mexico, has organized the gathering — one that he strongly emphasized is non-political.
“This is not pro or against any particular policy,” Martinez said. “This will be about explanations.”
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Immigration attorney Angela D. Adams, who Martinez has known for several years, will be the speaker.
Adams will discuss existing immigration laws and recent policy changes under the current presidential administration. She also will share her firsthand experiences and real-case examples, and discuss how policies are impacting the workforce and families in Indiana and nationally.
The attorney will also discuss common immigration myths and trends, and answer questions, Martinez said.
“This is simply a way to help,” Martinez said. “People will leave the meeting well aware of current realities.”
The pastor has been a key figure at past immigration-oriented gatherings locally. At a June 20 gathering on the steps of City Hall, Martinez was one of several speakers urging a crowd to contact lawmakers to stop immigrant families from being separated at the border.
The pastor mentioned that people need to realize that gaining American citizenship “is not always a simple situation. And I don’t believe very many people are fully aware of that.
“I think they often picture immigrants as those who are willfully disregarding the laws and rules. And I think people often have in their head some version of immigration law that does not currently exist.”
The meeting will highlight a sometimes-complicated picture for illegal aliens, he said.
“This is not like a speeding ticket,” he said. “It is something completely different.”
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What: “Just the Facts: A Conversation on Current Immigration Law and Policy” with Carmel immigration attorney Angela D. Adams.
When: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 512 Seventh St. in downtown Columbus.
Information: 812-372-3783.
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