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Posted on Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 10:28 a.m.

Dingell to deliver keynote address at immigration reform panel discussion at University of Michigan

By Ryan J. Stanton

The Washtenaw County chapter of Organizing For Action is hosting an immigration reform panel discussion tonight, Aug. 28, on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor.

U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, is expected to deliver the keynote address at the event, which also features local and state lawmakers and immigration reform activists.

John_Dingell_101012_RJS_002.jpg

John Dingell

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

The event, titled "Immigration and Opportunity: Finding Common Ground," is scheduled to last from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. inside the Anderson Room at the Michigan Union, 530 S. State St.

Organizers said it's free and open to the public.

Panelists include state Reps. Jeff Irwin and Rashida Tlaib, Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi, tuition equality advocate Javier Contreras, and Ola Kaso, a University of Michigan student who was featured in the documentary "The Dream is Now."

Panelists are expected to share steps community members can take to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform.

"Specifically what we hope to see is comprehensive reform that cracks down on employers who hire undocumented workers, creates a path to earned citizenship and streamlines our legal immigration system," said Andrew Bronstein, chairman of OFA Washtenaw.

"It's a really important issue to our group," he added. "There are a lot of members of our group who are immigrants. We all agree immigration has defined and enriched the American experience."

The mission of OFA is to support President Barack Obama's agenda throughout the nation. OFA in Washtenaw County advocates for reforms on both the state and national level on issues ranging from immigration to gun control to climate change, health care and women's rights.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.

Comments

Jay Thomas

Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 1:37 a.m.

They've found all the new voters they need to replace us. Wait til you see the bill; it will add $100 billion/year to the federal deficit alone.

Dog Guy

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 9:09 p.m.

"Immigration and Opportunity: Finding Common Ground" (SEARCH HINT: It's the Democratic Party.)

Sylvanman

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 8 p.m.

What's the "over-under" on how many times the phrases "living in the shadows" and "looking for a better life" and "through no fault of thier own" will be used? 100 times might a guess. What is the over-under on how many times you hear the word or phrase "illegal" or "illegally crossed the boarder" or "knowingly disrespected our laws" or "stop the invasion at our southern boarder"????? Zero is only answer unless the crowd is allowed to interrupt the propoganda aimed at gaining favor with those that are illegal here today but, God willing, will be legal voters tomorrow.......

Sylvanman

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 8:03 p.m.

Make that "border".

motorcycleminer

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 7:22 p.m.

Dinosaur lectures part one....

BhavanaJagat

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 5:47 p.m.

I would like to thank Representative John Dingell, and President Obama for their earnest efforts to introduce Immigration Reform. The US House of Representatives have to enact the necessary legislation and support the bill approved by the US Senate. I thank all the members sponsoring this event and I am very hopeful that these measures would enrich the United States in several ways.

BhavanaJagat

Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 4:04 p.m.

Thank you Sparty. There seems to be a problem with the House of Representatives and it is surprising to note that the Senate could come to a better understanding of the need for Immigration Reform. I wish I could count the number of blessings delivered by the immigrants. United States to exist as a global economic, and military power needs the flow of immigrants.

Sparty

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 9:13 p.m.

The BIPARTISAN legislation passed in the US Senate is still waiting for passage in the House of Representatives. Also waiting in the House is the bipartisan Farm Bill and a number of other bipartisan bills passed in the Senate. The House seems unable to pass anything that Senate passes on a bipartisan basis. In fact, the only thing the House get's passed into law are Post Office name changes.

walker101

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 8:46 p.m.

Please count the ways?

Hunterjim

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 5:28 p.m.

Yawn.....

dsponini

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 5:07 p.m.

I for one thank you Mr. Dingell. A lifetime of service is a noble feat.

towncryer

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 4:46 p.m.

He should deliver keynote at insomnia discussion.

harry b

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 4:35 p.m.

I have two words: Term Limits

Jay Thomas

Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 1:40 a.m.

Exactly Ignatz! The people cannot be allowed to sign their rights away. You and I know better than them.

Michigan Man

Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 12:11 a.m.

2 additional words = regime change!

Sparty

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 9:10 p.m.

We have term limits, they are called elections.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 7:48 p.m.

MGoYpsi: Might you please find and cite in the Constitution--in the original document, not an amendment adopted in 1951--where that can be found? Or, in the alternative, a passage from the Federalist Papers, or from the Anti-Federalist Papers, or from the essays by the Federalist Farmer, that support your point. GN&GL

MGoYpsi

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 7:34 p.m.

If I am correct, the Constitution was set up to prevent one person from being in power for too long, as a response to the King of the country we won our independence from.

Ignatz

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 5:04 p.m.

Term limits are inherently anti-democracy.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 4:48 p.m.

. . . because term limits have served so well to make the Michigan legislature a productive body. Fortunately, it will take an amendment to the US Constitution to term limit a member of Congress. If ya don't like the person in office, democracy provides a perfect remedy. GN&GL

cinnabar7071

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 4:30 p.m.

Is he still alive?

arborani

Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 4:18 p.m.

Not to mention snarkiness.

sayzme

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 5:08 p.m.

Yes, much to your dismay

G. Orwell

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 3:22 p.m.

Amnesty is nothing more than Democrats and Republicans desire to further destroy the middle class by flooding the US with cheap labor force. Same purpose as all the lopsided trade agreements to outsource millions of American manufacturing and service jobs. Who benefits? Big corporations and the super rich and politicians who are in the pockets of the super rich. A few Democrats and Republicans are against it because they know.

G. Orwell

Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 9:58 p.m.

It's shocking how democrats are fooled into supporting things that are detrimental to their interests. They backed Clinton/Gore on NAFTA when NAFTA was designed to destroy the labor unions and middle class. Now they support immigration reform and Obamacare. Again, they are designed to destroy the middle class. The more people on welfare, the better for the Democratic Party. See how the Democrats destroy lives then come in to offer salvation via welfare programs.