Immigration Policy Reform Roundtable

Despite shifting political winds, the majority of Americans have consistently welcomed immigrants and refugees and expressed appreciation for what newcomers do for the U.S. economy and the diversity of our culture.  We are a nation of immigrants.

Over the past 15 years, the Immigration Policy Reform Roundtable has presented a series of public programs to educate the public about different aspects of our broken immigration system, including policies and laws, the Southern border, and the private prisons that benefit from mass detentions.

The primary mission of the Roundtable is to support the agencies that provide direct services to the immigrant and refugee communities in the Triad.  Greensboro has a long history of resettling refugees and welcoming immigrants, and the Roundtable has partnered with Faith Action International, the New Arrivals Institute, Church World Service, the Center for New North Carolinians, the African Services Coalition, Siembra NC, American Friends Service Committee, the City of Greensboro Immigration Advisory Committee, World Relief Triad, and others.

To coordinate services and help their clients respond to the frightening detentions and deportations being carried out across the country, many of these groups are working jointly in the Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.  We are also participating in the Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Justice which is helping to make the moral and humanitarian argument for immigration reform and serving as a clearing house for the individual agencies to share the stories and needs of our immigrant neighbors.

For more information, contact Gary Kenton at immigrationreform@lwvpt.org.

We continue to center our work through partnerships with groups and agencies that provide direct services to our immigrant and refugee communities.  See our Partnerships List below.

Many of these groups are working in coalition to protect the communities they represent.  Also, another coalition was formed in late 2024, the Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Justice, to help make the moral and humanitarian argument for immigration reform.

PROGRAMS

What’s Happening at the U.S./Mexico Border, May 21, 2024
Hosted by the International Advisory Committee (IAC) of the Greensboro Human Rights Commission and co-sponsored by the Center for New North Carolinians, the New Arrivals Instituite, the League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad, Faith Action International, McKinney Immigration Law, the Carolina Migrant Network, and the African Services Coalition.

Recordings

Immigration 101 (18:38)
Ann Marie Dooley, Attorney, McKinney Immigration Law

What’s Happening at the US-Mexico Border (40 mins)
Jeremy L. McKinney, Attorney, McKinney Immigration Law

Our Immigrant Neighbors: Building a Stronger Triad
Immigration Organizations based in Guilford County

HISTORY

For more than a decade, the Immigration Policy Reform Roundtable has educated the general public and local officials about the challenges faced by the Triad’s vital immigrant and refugee communities.  We also point to the remarkable achievements of these dynamic newcomers.

• Educate the public and support legislative and executive actions aimed at comprehensive immigration reform.
• Support local efforts to improve the legal, economic and social status of immigrants and refugees in our communities including workforce development, the ability to apply for drivers licenses and in-state tuition for all North Carolina students meeting academic and residency requirements.
• Oppose the detention and deportation of unauthorized immigrants based solely on immigration status and advocate for limiting collaboration between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

War, gang violence, drug cartels, persecution, and famine have made recent years difficult (and often harrowing) years for refugees and immigrants around the world. In the United States and elsewhere, these difficulties have been made much worse by the spread of false information and xenophobic messages from some elected officials and media outlets.

Replacement Theory is just one example of a pernicious conspiracy narrative that has been shared by White Supremacy groups and some politicians. The Immigration Roundtable (IRT) has shared reliable information with League members and the general public that can lead to a better understanding of the history and the issues and provide the tools to advocate for policy reforms.

Each IRT program includes an “Ask,” one or more recommendations for actions that members and attendees can take on behalf of our immigrant and refugee neighbors.  Examples include:

• Donate to any of our partner groups that directly serve our immigrant neighbors.
• Utilize the American Immigration Council’s well-researched fact sheets to discuss immigration issues and provide correct information.
• Urge your U.S. representatives to support vigorous Congressional oversight of both U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and to support the creation of immigration courts.

The Immigration Roundtable has found that it is most effective when we work in partnership with local agencies that provide direct services to immigrants and refugees.

The groups we work with include:

Faith Action International House,
The New Arrivals Institute,
Church World Service,
The Center for New North Carolinians,
North Carolina African Services Coalition,
Siembra NC,
American Friends Service Committee,
The City of Greensboro International Advisory Committee

For LWVUS position on immigration, see Impact on Issues 2024-2026 (p. 167-169)

Articles & Videos
Over the years, the Immigration Roundtable has published multiple opinion pieces in the Greensboro News & Record and hosted Lunch with the League programs on immagration.

Who Benefits from the war on immigrants? by Gary Kenton & P. Whitney Vanderwerff

COVID-19: Another Challenge for immigrants and refugees by Gary Kenton & P. Whitney Vanderwerff

Our Immigrant Neighbors: Building a Stronger Triad  Immigration Reform Presentation