Latino Voices | Voces Latinas

Latino Voices: Examining Immigration in Our Community

Migration is the oldest action against poverty. It selects those who most want help. It is good for the country to which they go; it helps break the equilibrium of poverty in the country from which they come. What is the perversity in the human soul that causes people to resist so obvious a good?
-JOHN KENNETH GALBRAITH

Valued Contributions of Immigrants to Our Community and State

Hateful rhetoric and dangerous myths are becoming commonplace in daily conversations and media depictions of immigrants and the issue of immigration. Yet immigrants to Minnesota are major economic contributors and their experiences, love for family and dreams for the future help make Minnesota a dynamic place to live.

Program Description

Latino Voices is a joint project of Resource Center of the Americas and Interfaith Coalition on Immigration. Latino Voices aims to build understanding of systemic forces that have caused the immigration crisis, through a combination of individual stories and fact-based information on U.S. policy and history. We are working to create an environment of tolerance and understanding in which a fair, humane immigration system can be implemented.

The program consists of a two or three-member panel of recent Latino immigrants who have important personal stories to relate. Our panelists have different backgrounds in terms of how and why they came to live in the U.S., and where they work or study. Business owners, youth workers, laborers, social service agencies, immigration advocates and youth have all contributed to our panel discussions.

Experienced facilitators guide the panel and incorporate, along with individual accounts, key facts about the past and present reality of U.S. immigration. Panelists discuss their reasons for coming to the United States, what life is like for them now, the successes and challenges immigrants face, and their hopes and dreams for the future.

After the presentations of the panelists, the audience is invited to ask questions. We try to create a safe, respectful space for the enhancement of social dialogue and mutual understanding between people. It is our hope that this understanding will spread from the audience into the community, promoting greater understanding between cultures.

How Are We Doing?

2011

  • St. Luke Presbyterian Church in Wayzata (14 participants)
  • Luther Seminary (30 participants)
  • Minnesota Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (100 participants)
  • Mayflower Unitarian Universalist (35 participants)
  • Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, metro-wide Peace and Justice Network (40 participants)
  • Christ Church Lutheran in Minneapolis (20 participants)
  • Lutherna Church Christ the Redeemer (20 participants)
  • Christ the King (95 participants)
  • First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

2010

  • St. Luke Presbyterian Church in Wayzata (40 participants)
  • St. Frances Cabrini, St. Cecilia’s and Prospect Park United Methodist Churches in St. Paul (40 participants)
  • Northwest Neighbors for Peace in northwest suburbs (28 participants)

2009

  • Guardian Angels Church in Oakdale (25 participants)
  • Holy Trinity Church in Minneapolis (80 participants)
  • Journey of Hope community presentation in Austin and Owatonna (50 participants)
  • Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Hopkins (50 participants)
  • DFL SD50 in Fridley (20 participants)

Real Outcomes

It is difficult to quantify outcomes from these presentations, yet we strive to monitor and document qualitative examples of actions that have come at least in part due to our work, demonstrating that consistent education and outreach is critical in the formation of knowledge and conscience that sparks direct action:

  • In October, 2010, Resource Center of the Americas and Interfaith Coalition on Immigration decided to join forces on three distinct projects, increasing the reach and effectiveness of all of them– Latino Voices, monthly interfaith vigils outside Ramsey County Detention Center, and the immigrant detainee visitation initiative.

  • Our September, 2009 panels in Austin and Albert Lea gained significant media attention: Austin Daily Herald article

  • Following our January, 2010 panel with St. Luke Presbyterian in Wayzata, a “No Human Being Is Illegal” forum was organized, bringing together multiple congregations.

  • Two Duluth presentations in February, 2010 bringing together the public, academics, business and government leaders gained media attention in the Duluth Tribune : pg 1, pg 2, pg 3 pg 4

  • The same Duluth panel triggered the formation of a group of one dozen individuals, forming a delegation to meet with the Duluth Police Chief to advocate for humane immigration and detention policies. Their work continues, forming new delegations to visit other area Police Chiefs and Sheriffs.

  • Following our April, 2010 discussion with Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Circle Pines, a group including area pastors formed to meet with the Lino Lakes City Council to advocate against the English-only ordinance passed in July, 2010.

  • We have helped sponsor the work of the Interfaith Coalition on Immigration which has established monthly vigils outside the Ramsey County Detention Center.

Program Objectives

The Latino Voices program is designed to:

  • Spread knowledge and understanding of the valuable economic and social contributions of Latinos to the State of Minnesota
  • Create understanding of the global economic forces that cause people in Latin-America to leave their homes and migrate to the Unites State for work
  • Dispel myths surrounding immigrants and immigration that perpetuate anti-immigrant sentiment
  • Empower panel speakers as effective presenters and advocates
  • Put a human face on the issue of immigration, fostering deeper personal understanding between people of different cultures
  • Build a constituency in support of fair and humane treatment of immigrants
  • Advocate for changes to policies and practices that are discriminatory or harmful to immigrants
  • Empower the non-immigrant Latino community to dispel stereotypes and secure education, health care, and employment
  • Empower and provide support to social justice groups in faith communities to take action in support of immigrant rights

Book a Panel Presentation for Your Organization

To book a panel presentation for your group, please contact us at 612-276-0788.

Learn More About Immigration

For more information on the issue of Immigration visit our immigration page.

© 2011 Resource Center of the Americas. All rights reserved.