Thank you to all who attended the recent panel on immigration at the Stroede Center.
The purpose of this event was to begin a conversation around immigration and our Defiance community. The Stroede Center recorded the event and it will be available to the public. The Defiance County Democratic Party will post an announcement on the video’s release (https://defiancecountydemocrats.org/).
As chair of the Defiance County Democratic Party, it was our intent to create an event that was educational. The presentations were informational; nothing promoted the party or a candidate. The party held this event free and open to the public.
It was reported in this newspaper that the presenters neglected to give the estimated number of undocumented workers in the U.S. Why? This event focused on our community and what a broken immigration system means for our immigrant neighbors. Shedding light on the insecure living conditions of community members had nothing to do with scoring partisan points.
The presenters on the panel were chosen for their expertise in law, law enforcement and community activism: two immigration lawyers from Toledo, Mechelle Zarou and Ammar Alo; Baldemar Velasquez, president of the Farm Labor Organization Committee (FLOC); and the Lucas County sheriff, Michael Navarre.
They all concurred that the immigration system is in dire need of reform noting that a major problem with immigration enforcement is a need for labor, particularly in rural areas.
The lawyers explained the complexity of terms around those who come into the United States. They described situations where people are often denigrated as “illegals.”
There are many categories of legal entry; there are also many situations where people are living without documentation. The panelists offered unique perspectives and humanized different circumstances.
They also made it clear that any person committing a crime, regardless of status, is tried under the law of the U.S. If found guilty, they will be penalized accordingly.
In the question-and-answer session, audience members raised concerns about people being arrested and deported who have not been given due process according to the U.S. Constitution.
The panelists made clear that one should never interfere with lawful warrants/arrests. They also defined what one’s rights are if one were confronted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
The Defiance County Democratic Party is dedicated to improving the lives of all members of our community. This event was to inform and educate. In this, it was decidedly successful.
Dave Plant
Defiance
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