Comparisons of Canadian and U.S. immigration policies and undocumented youth in higher education topic of March 7 program

The John M. Pfau Library at Cal State San Bernardino will host a talk titled “We Carry the Border on our Bodies: Bridging and Maneuvering Immigration Status Barriers in U.S. and Canadian Postsecondary Education,” on March 7, from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Library Multimedia Center (PL-5005).  The presenter, Paloma E. Villegas, CSUSB assistant professor of sociology, will discuss the barriers undocumented/precariously documented migrants experience when transitioning to postsecondary education, drawing from her personal experience, artwork and research.  Villegas will present findings from a Bridging program for precarious status migrant students in Canada and compare it to the experiences of undocumented students in the U.S., proposing the need for comparative, transnational analyses. As part of the program, Villegas will exhibit personal artwork and also sign copies of “Seeds of Hope: Creating a Future in the Shadows,” a collection of short stories and poems she co-edited. “Seeds of Hope” describes the realities of living with precarious immigration status, giving voice to one of the world’s most vulnerable and neglected populations. “According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the topic of immigration and human rights ‘is one of the most important and pressing global issues of our time,’” said Elsa Valdez, professor of sociology and ethnic studies coordinator. “Dr. Paloma Villegas’ groundbreaking research examines the effects of crossing borders and the challenges faced by institutions of higher learning.” Marc Robinson, assistant professor of history, also lauds Villegas’ scholarship. “In addition to featuring high quality sociological research, Dr. Villegas’ work skillfully combines institutional analyses and grassroots activism,” he said. “Not only does she enlighten her audience with detailed comparisons of Canadian and U.S. immigration policies, but she also gives first-hand accounts of working with undocumented youth as they seek higher education. This combination of knowledge and experience makes her an especially valuable and insightful scholar on our campus.” Villegas is currently working on a book manuscript on the experiences of Mexican migrants with precarious status in Toronto, Canada, as well as developing a research agenda in the Inland Empire. The program is free and open to the public. Parking is $6. For more information, contact Robie Madrigal, Pfau Library, at (909) 537-5104 or rmadriga@csusb.edu. For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit inside.csusb.edu.