Undocumented Immigrants Share Their Stories

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Five young, undocumented immigrants will participate in a unique panel discussion called “Undocumented: Living in the Shadows,” a nationally relevant exchange about the experiences and challenges faced by young adults who were brought to the United States as children without proper immigration papers and who have spent much, if not most, of their lives living in the United States.

The event is being coordinated by the University of Arkansas and will be held Monday, April 23, from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Town Center in Fayetteville.

The panelists were brought by their parents to the U.S. at a young age. Some of them don’t have any connections or recollection of the country in which they were born. Three panelists are students who grew up in Arkansas. The other three panelists are recent college graduates who grew up in Massachusetts, New York and Virginia. Their undocumented immigration status makes travel within the U.S. difficult and risky and their ability to seek employment legally impossible.

Questions from across the country are welcomed in advance for consideration. Questions may be submitted in three ways: A Facebook event page has been established and questions may be posted to the event page. Questions may also be submitted via Twitter using the hash tag #undocumented. Last, questions may also be sent directly to newswire@uark.edu.

The April 23 event is open to the public and is free of charge. Seating at the Town Center is limited and will be available on a first-come basis. For more information, contact urelinfo@uark.edu.