Montgomery College to Host Panel Discussion on the Effects of Deportation, Sept. 14

Montgomery College, in partnership with Sin Fronteras and the University of Maryland Carey School of Law Immigration Clinic, will host a film screening and panel discussion on the effects of deportation Saturday, September 14, 2013. The event begins at 2 p.m. in the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus’ Cultural Arts Center, 7995 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring.

Last year, nearly 500,000 people were deported from the United States, 13,000 of those were children. The deported individuals leave behind families and face financial hardships and other legal matters. As a result, many risk their lives to return to the United States to reunite with their families.

This event at Montgomery College focuses on what happens after a deportation and how people cope when life is interrupted. Learn about the untold stories of parents, children, spouses and loved ones reaching out across borders. 

The panel discussion will begin with a viewing of the short documentary, “Our Dearly Deported.” The documentary tells the story of Central American immigrants deported from the United States. Traveling in the opposite direction against their will, from the U.S. to El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, the returned immigrants and their families speak about the impact of the U.S. immigration system on their lives.

The attendees will also be given copies of “Unfinished Business (Asuntos Pendientes),” a resource booklet for returned immigrants. Live musical performances will conclude the event. The discussion period is expected to be over by 5 p.m. with an intermission of refreshments before the performances. For more information about the “Unfinished Business” project, e-mail sinfronteras@gmail.com. 

To register for this event email Gloria Bonilla in the Office of Advancement and Community Engagement at gloria.bonilla@montgomerycollege.edu or call her at 240-567-3961. Please include your name and the number of people attending in the e-mail.

For parking information, visit http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/edu/maps.aspx?id=23747.