Berea College is sponsoring a public forum and formal debate on immigration issues to be held on October 19, 2006 from 6-8 p.m. in the Woods-Penniman Commons.

From 6-7 p.m., four members of the Berea College Speech and Debate Team will debate on the topic: “The United States Government should take more proactive measures to curb the numbers of Mexican immigrants coming to the United States.” The debate will be followed by a community forum from 7-8 p.m. to discuss the issues raised.

School, government, and organization officials on hand for both events will be: Wanda Snowden of the Lexington Fayette County Urban Government and Fayette County School System; Sandra Powell of the Migrant Network Coalition, Foothills Community Action Project, and Migrant Outreach Coordinator; and Sam Rock, Esquire of the Migrant Network Coalition and Kentucky Coalition for Immigration Reform.

This event is sponsored by Berea College Speech and Debate, the Hispanic Student Association, International Center, the Cosmopolitan Club, the Center for Excellence in Learning Through Service, and Project Pericles. Authentic Mexican refreshments will be catered by El Rio Grande Restaurant of Berea.