WHO:      U.S. Senator Dick Durbin will discuss U.S. immigration policy as part of a daylong program.

WHAT:    DePaul, Loyola and Dominican Universities, and the Archdiocese of Chicago are co-sponsoring the conference, which will explore some of the critical legal, policy and social issues surrounding immigration. 

WHEN:    8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday Oct. 23.  Durbin is scheduled to speak from 2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

WHERE:  DePaul Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield, Room 120, Chicago. 

Background:  The conference, “Perspectives on Immigration” will feature a range of subjects that touch on the current state of immigration in America as well as explore some of the most current legal issues in the field.  Workshops and panel discussions will focus on topics such as first-person perspectives on how immigration law and policy have impacted individuals; immigration raids and the rights of those detained by them; the challenges faced by young people who immigrate to America in their early teens; higher education and employment obstacles undocumented students  confront;  factors that push immigrants and refugees to resettle in Chicago; and  sanctuary and support for immigration detainees and their families.

Presenters will include educators, attorneys, immigration reform activists and students who will show how immigration intersects with our communities, universities and the economy.

Conference attendees will have the opportunity to hear different perspectives on immigration and learn what action they can take to improve U.S.  immigration policy.