Beyond Borders Workshops

Workshop #1

The purpose of this workshop is to learn to be  "warm bodies" of Jesus' love toward the new pilgrims in our land. We will study the responsibility of the church from a theological and practical point of view. We will also learn possibilities of helping in the transformation of  lives of new ethnic groups coming to our cities and how that participation can transform our lives too.

Guadalupe T. Villalpando-Stewart is an elder in the Methodist Church in Mexico. After working as a pastor and missionary in her own country, she earned a master's in world missions and evangelism and a master's in counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Ky. In 2002, she was appointed as a missionary for the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her job is to create new Hispanic ministries, coordinate the present Latino ministries and raise awareness of the need of multicultural ministries. Since 2002 Lupina and her family have seen several ministries start in the Cincinnati and Columbus areas. In 2002 there was just one United Methodist Hispanic ministry, now there are ten in the West Ohio Conference.

This is a report on research comparing immigration in 1870-1920 with the current wave of immigration, 1970-present, in Nobles County in Southwestern Minnesota. Schools in Worthington, Minn., are more than 50 percent children of immigrants and other "minorities" as a result of massive immigration to this very rural, agricultural community on the plains.

Paul Neufeld Weaver is assistant professor of education and Pathways Civic Engagement Scholar at Bluffton University. His academic experience combines Latin American history with critical pedagogy and he has worked at making connections between North Americans and Latin Americans for the past 28 years.

Bluffton University Student Research Reports
Presented by: Joni Martin, Shannon Grieser and Aaron Wladischkin

• Joni's presentation, Elementary ESL, discusses the two main types of ESL programs and explores which is most appropriate for the elementary school setting.

Joni Martin, a junior from Elida, Ohio, is majoring in early childhood education and minoring in TESOL.

• Shannon's presentation, Migrant Education, explains how migrant experiences affect migrant children in schools. It explores migrant education programs and how these programs positively affect migrant students.

Shannon Grieser, a junior from Wauseon, Ohio, is majoring in middle childhood education.

• Aaron's presentation, Iraqi Immigrant Education and American Schools, is based on his experiences growing up in a community with many Iraqi Americans. He will talk in particular about ways to improve our system to keep immigrant children from falling through the cracks.

Aaron Wladischkin is a junior majoring in history education. Aaron is from Sterling Heights, Mich.

This is an opportunity to dialogue further with Friday evening’s keynote speaker, Daniel Carroll Rodas, on issues related to the Bible and immigration.

Dr. M. Daniel Carroll Rodas celebrates his heritage from both Guatemala and the United States. He currently is distinguished professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary. Prior to his appointment to Denver Seminary, he was professor of Old Testament and ethics and director of graduate studies at El Seminario Teológico Centroamericano in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He remains an adjunct professor there. Dr. Carroll also maintains connections to Latin American theological education through his continuing participation in the accreditation commission of AETAL (Asociación Evangélica de Educación Teológica en América Latina). He was instrumental in the establishment of IDEAL (Instituto para el Desarrollo y Adiestramiento de Líderes), a Spanish language training program at Denver Seminary, and regularly teaches in that program. As an author, his latest book, Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church and the Bible, is a biblical-theological orientation to Hispanic immigration and was recently translated into Spanish.

Immigrant students overcome considerable challenges in the pursuit of their educational goals, particularly in their transitions to college. Based on qualitative data with Latino immigrant high school seniors and first year college students, this presentation examines specific challenges related to students’ immigration status and social location and their influence on students’ motivation to pursue a college education.

Robert Reyes serves as research director for the Center for Intercultural Teaching and Learning (CITL) and professor of sociology at Goshen College. The aim of CITL is to study the nature and process of intercultural education as it relates to Latino students and their families in the Midwest. Dr Reyes received his Ph.D. from Fuller Seminary. Some of his research interests include; the study of couple formation practices in Spain, study of transnationalism and acculturative stress among Latino families and the study of moral/social capital among immigrant parents and its impact on Latino students. 

Aliah Carolan-Silva recently completed her Ph.D. at Michigan State University. Her dissertation research focused on family-community-school relationships and families’ use of resources to support education. During her doctoral studies, Dr. Carolan-Silva taught multicultural education courses in the teacher education program. She worked as an instructor in the High School Equivalency Program at Michigan State University, a program for children of migrant farm workers to complete their General Education Diploma, and has conducted research on migrant students’ school experiences. She has also been involved in creating service-learning experiences for pre-service teachers that help them gain experience working with immigrant and refugee children. Before entering graduate school, Dr. Carolan-Silva was a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay. Currently, she is serving a visiting research fellow at the Center for Intercultural Teaching and Learning.

En este taller hablaremos sobre los problemas que enfrentan los inmigrantes como "notarios" que hacen promesas falsas, licencias internacionales que no sirven, etc.

Luis Valencia es un abogado que especializa en asuntos migratorios con oficinas en Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Workshop #2

This workshop will focus on the avenues that immigrants to the U.S. have/do not have to be “legally” present in the United States. The workshop will include: a process whereby everyone present will give his/her own response to  immigrants/immigration; “ Immigration 101” - a presentation giving a basic understanding of current immigration law; interaction with three women who will share their stories/experiences of being immigrants in the U.S.; and a handout with talking points for humane immigration reform.

Sister Ellen Lamberjack, a Sister of St. Francis of Tiffin, Ohio, began Project Hope-Proyecto Esperanza in Archbold, Ohio, in October 2006 at the request of the director of Latina Family Outreach and in collaboration with Zion Mennonite Church, Archbold, Ohio, and Immigrant Worker Project, Canton, Ohio. In October 2009 Project Hope, an affiliate of Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), was approved by the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals as a recognized site for the practice of immigration law and Sister Ellen was approved as an accredited representative to practice immigration law. 

Teresa Gutierrez of Delta, Ohio, Juana Chavez Torres of Archbold, Ohio and Carolina Phillips of Wauseon, Ohio, have served through Project Hope by providing tutoring in preparation for naturalization, in the annual reception for new citizens, in annual tax workshops, in interpretation and translation, and in referring other immigrants to Project Hope.

Led by the producer of the film, this workshop will view and discuss the making of “The U.S. Wall,” a short documentary that takes a comprehensive look at the history, current causes, dangers and human struggles surrounding Hispanic migration to the U.S.

The Rev. Ryan Grace, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Bluffton, Ohio, majored in video production at Ohio University, and for several years has produced documentaries on cultural, social and religious movements.

The Rev. Lawrence Kreps, pastor of St. Andrews United Methodist Church, Findlay, Ohio, led a local church near Cincinnati, Ohio, in providing a safe place for Hispanics to stay following an immigration raid near his community. The story of his congregation is told in “The U.S. Wall.”

Part 1: What happened to the No Child Left Behind Act (NLCB)? When the NLCB, Public Law, 107-11 was enacted, did the law only apply to American born students? This session will discuss the importance of education, specifically migrant education in Ohio regarding undocumented students. Special attention will be given to the Dream Act and why it is so imperative for the future of undocumented children and the United States.

Mercedes Naber recently graduated with her doctorate of education in the field of leadership and policy. An eighth grade foreign language teacher with Toledo Public Schools and adjunct professor at the University of Toledo, she is also the summer director of the Lakota High School Migrant Program in Kansas, Ohio. She has worked with Hispanic migrant workers for more than 15 years. She recently started a Hispanic ministry at Turning Point United Methodist Church in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Sharon Ray was born to a Mexican-American mother and an Irish-American father, and is no stranger to migrant field work. When her father died, Sharon worked along side her mother and siblings in the pickle fields for a time due to economic hardship. A social worker by degree, Sharon has provided advocacy, outreach and education to the migrant working community for more than 10 years. She has been teaching ESL, in the classroom and at migrant camps. Sharon is passionate about meeting the needs of the migrant community and has an enormous respect for the cultural, social and economic contributions migrant workers provide to American society. 

Part 2: In this session the presenters will detail how they organized college students to advocate for passage of the Dream Act. They will share personal stories of undocumented college students and the reasons this is an important issue for them. Participants will learn five steps to organize themselves and others in their sphere of influence.

Jair Hernandez is a first-year computer science and communications double major at Goshen College. He has researched the Dream Act and participated in awareness raising activities on his campus including speech contests and workshops advocating for the Dream Act.

Lizzy Diaz, a sophomore at Goshen College, is interested in nursing and peace and justice issues. Lizzy is involved with Latino club, International student club and Black Student Union. In addition, Lizzy has worked with youth at the Boys and Girls club, her church and the larger Latino community. Lizzy was born in Arlington, Texas, and lives in Goshen with her parents and an older sister; a senior at Goshen College.

• Witnessing Agency or: Beyond the Border with Peter Weir, Lars Von Trier, Orson Welles and Amish Theology by Todd Comer
  Peter Weir's 1985 film, Witness, may be said to document many things: the moment of contact between the individualism of Philadelphia and the communalism of the Amish, the corruption of ideals, the power of the surveillance and the experience of death. It is a film deeply interested in the problem of individual and communal violence. His presentation–with nods to Orson Welles and Lars Von Trier–will argue for a borderless community grounded in the experience of death.

Dr. Todd Comer completed his master's and Ph.D. in American literature and film at Michigan State University, and now works as an assistant professor of English at Defiance College. He has published essays on Joel and Ethan Coen, Samuel R. Delany, Flann O'Brien and Doctor Who.

• Family, Friends and Strangers Coming to Visit: Baudrillard's On Hospitality as a Way of Rethinking Immigration by Amy Drees
  Discussions of immigration in America tend to be framed as issues of boundaries and legitimacy - legal or illegal, us or them. Illegal immigrants in particular are viewed as interlopers, "taking" the jobs,  health care and other social goods "belonging" to Americans. However, because of declining indigenous populations in Europe, "guest" workers are necessity in most countries. Consequently, European thought on immigration focuses not so much on the legitimacy of immigrants but rather on the relationship between immigrants and natives. This presentation will address the metaphor of hospitality as a lens for viewing immigration. Particular emphasis will be placed on the concept of hospitality as a negotiated form of violence.

Amy Drees, Defiance College associate professor of arts and humanities

• Getting My Feet Wet: How I Want to Cross the Rio Grande Next Time by Mary Catherine Harper
  
  A decade ago when Catherine walked across the Rio Grande, she didn't even get her ankles wet. She was hiking in the San Juan mountains and crossed the river at the headwater level. There's a metaphor/trope here and a question of who is protected from the border "waters" and who isn't so privileged. Insiders get to cross the Rio Grande in shallow Colorado. Outsiders have to cross the river at the deep Mexican-U.S. border. A dangerous crossing. Latinos in the U.S. find themselves crossing dangerous waters on a regular basis. But not I. Self critique from a position of privilege is uncomfortable but a necessary part of the dialogue across borders and across cultures within U.S. boundaries.

Mary Catherine Harper teaches literature, creative writing and global civilization at Defiance College. She has had poetry and articles on women's science fiction published and a poetic theater piece "A Quarrel of Voices" performed at the Interdisciplinary International Women's Studies Conference of 1996. Her interests in language arts, cultural studies, poetics and social justice issues have taken her to Cambodia to work on a language arts and ethnography project. She is currently writing poetry about her experiences in Cambodia.

• Policing the Border by Punishing the Transgender Body: Race, Gender and Citizenship in the Case of Kimberly Medina-Tejada by Jason Zeh

Jason Zeh received his master's in literary and textual studies from Bowling Green State University with a thesis focusing on the intersections of race, gender and citizenship status in a court case involving undocumented immigrant and transgender woman, Kimberly Medina-Tejada. He currently teaches topical literature courses at Defiance College and composition courses at Defiance College and Terra Community College. His work often utilizes cultural studies methodologies for engaging with non-literary texts and largely focuses on gender issues.

• Working with Immigrants with Children with Special Needs by Laura Schlabach
  Laura will discuss the experience of immigrant parents of children with special needs (medical diagnoses and/or developmental delays) and the challenges they face in connecting their children with services because of their immigration status and the challenge service providers have in helping these parents navigate the system of early intervention, particularly when there are language and cultural barriers.

Laura Schlabach, originally from Wayne County Ohio, is a 2007 Bluffton graduate, with a bachelor's degree in Spanish and minors in TESOL and missions. She served for a year with Mennonite Central Committee as a “Connecting People Person” in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and is currently working as a bilingual (Spanish/English) service coordinator for Community Refugee and Immigration Services, a non-governmental organization in Columbus, Ohio.

• Methods for the Marginalized: Implementing Critical Pedagogy Among Undocumented Hispanic Adults by Ryan Radebaugh
  Ryan will discuss the effects of undocumented immigration through an educational perspective, the issues practitioners often face when teaching this demographic, how critical pedagogy has been adapted to meet specific needs and the effect this has on the student's identity.

Ryan Radebaugh graduated from Bluffton with degrees in Spanish and TESOL. He lived with undocumented immigrants for 18 months, served as a graduate assistant for international admissions and services at University of Findlay and is currently teaching in an intensive English language program and pursuing a master's degree in TESOL.

• Bridging the Language Barrier by Indira Sultanic
  Indira will tell of language as a barrier, the right to an interpreter and the role of professional language organizations to facilitate communication by making information accessible to the non-English speaking population in their mother tongue.  

Indira Sultanic is a Bosnian national currently working on an H1-B (work) visa as a translation project manager, translator and medical interpreter for Affordable Language Services based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. She holds a master's in translation (Spanish) from Kent State University and a bachelor's degree in English, Spanish and TESOL from Bluffton University.

Several children's books on immigration will be read with commentaries on the books, authors and their potential use.

An opportunity to hear from and dialogue with individuals serving in Hispanic ministries in Ohio and Indiana.

• Haroldo Nunes is a part-time Hispanic pastor at Salem Mennonite Church of Wooster, Ohio, and he works at Open Arms Hispanic Ministry in Wayne County as a part-time staff. He is integral to continued awareness and support of the conditions of local immigrants.
• Josh Colon is the pastor of the Hispanic Church of God "Princeton Pike West" in Hamilton, Ohio.
• Raul Tadeo is a former mission worker and pastor in Mexico and works with the Open Arms Hispanic Ministries.
• Paul Conrad co-pastors Brazo en Brazo Iglesia Hispana in Lima, Ohio, with his wife Ann.  Paul has worked extensively in Hispanic ministries in Texas, Ohio and Mexico.
• Mike Mast is a retired missionary/pastor active in Open Arms Hispanic Ministries.

Workshop #3

Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Presented by: Saulo Padilla, MCC-US Immigration Office

This workshop will provide information about Comprehensive Immigration Reform proposals currently being considered. Main points in the proposals will be analyzed, focusing on how these provisions may grant legalization of undocumented immigrants, and consider provisions that affect border security, the environment, enforcement, visa reforms and family unity, among other CIR provisions.

Saulo Padilla works as director of the Office on Immigration Education for MCC U.S. Peace and Justice Ministries. He also works in conjunction with the MCC U.S. Washington Office and regional offices to inform MCC's constituency on immigration legislation issues.

Explore the attitudes about immigration across MCC’s Anabaptist constituency and look for ways to build relationship with constituencies and congregations, and learn the best way to respond to the new opportunities for mission with our immigrant community.

Jorge Vielman is a regional associate and peace and justice appointee for MCC Great Lakes. Jorge was a member of the MCC Immigration Listening Project 2006. The project assessed attitudes about immigration across MCC’s Anabaptist constituency. He also served in the Damascus Road team for MCC Great Lakes and is part of the Peace and Justice Network in the U.S. He has served as a facilitator for the Peace and Justice Support Network Leadership Team ( PJSNLT ) for the Mennonite Mission Network.

Working with Immigrants: Recent Bluffton Graduates Report on their Work
presented by Ryan Radebaugh, Laura Scholabach, Indira Sultanic and Noe Mendez

• Working with Immigrants with Children with Special Needs by Laura Schlabach
  Laura will discuss the experience of immigrant parents of children with special needs (medical diagnoses and/or developmental delays) and the challenges they face in connecting their children with services because of their immigration status and the challenge service providers have in helping these parents navigate the system of early intervention, particularly when there are language and cultural barriers.

Laura Schlabach, originally from Wayne County Ohio, is a 2007 Bluffton graduate, with a bachelor's degree in Spanish and minors in TESOL and missions. She served for a year with Mennonite Central Committee as a “Connecting People Person” in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and is currently working as a bilingual (Spanish/English) service coordinator for Community Refugee and Immigration Services, a non-governmental organization in Columbus, Ohio.

• Methods for the Marginalized: Implementing Critical Pedagogy Among Undocumented Hispanic Adults by Ryan Radebaugh
  Ryan will discuss the effects of undocumented immigration through an educational perspective, the issues practitioners often face when teaching this demographic, how critical pedagogy has been adapted to meet specific needs and the effect this has on the student's identity.

Ryan Radebaugh graduated from Bluffton with degrees in Spanish and TESOL. He lived with undocumented immigrants for 18 months, served as a graduate assistant for international admissions and services at University of Findlay and is currently teaching in an intensive English language program and pursuing a master's degree in TESOL.

• Bridging the Language Barrier by Indira Sultanic
  Indira will tell of language as a barrier, the right to an interpreter and the role of professional language organizations to facilitate communication by making information accessible to the non-English speaking population in their mother tongue.  

Indira Sultanic is a Bosnian national currently working on an H1-B (work) visa as a translation project manager, translator and medical interpreter for Affordable Language Services based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. She holds a master's in translation (Spanish) from Kent State University and a bachelor's degree in English, Spanish and TESOL from Bluffton University.

This will be a chance to continue the conversations with Baldemar Velasquez following the luncheon address and also to further delve into immigrant workers rights issues.

Baldemar Velasquez, founder and president of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, is a graduate of Bluffton University and a member of the AFL-CIO national council. 

Workshop #4

Towards a Geography of Immigration Enforcement
Presented by: Austin Kocher, et. al. The Ohio State University

Immigration enforcement has become the official and unofficial duty of actors and agencies at all levels of government. Immigration enforcement is therefore a complicated, entangled and messy process which is not directly coherent. This seminar will seek to provide content and discussion to further our understanding about how various agencies, particularly local law enforcement, attempt to participate in regulating the lives of undocumented immigrants.

Austin Kocher is a graduate student in the department of geography at The Ohio State University. Austin's research is on law enforcement practices in North Carolina and their impact on undocumented immigrants.

The New Sanctuary Movement
Presented by: Sister Mary Kulhman, Tiffin Franciscans

In 1985, the Tiffin Franciscans took a corporate stance to give sanctuary to refugees from Central America who were seeking asylum in the United States. Though the reasons for seeking asylum in the United States have changed we still provide sanctuary for those, driven by economic and safety needs, who wish to  make a home here in the United States. Today we continue that ministry by providing legal assistance for immigrants who wish to become citizens and to victims of human trafficking who need a safe and secure place to rebuild their lives. This workshop will explore the Sanctuary movement.

Sr. Mary Kuhlman is a Sister of St. Francis of Tiffin, Ohio, a congregation founded after the Civil War to care for the widows and orphans. 

Comprehensive Services to Immigrants
Presented by: Edgardo Mansilla and Maria Blough, Americana Community Center, Louisville, Ky.

 A presentation on on the work of Americana Community Center; including the history, programs offered, population served, etc. We serve a diverse array of immigrants and refugees - representing 66 different countries. Americana is a private non-profit organization which takes a community-based approach to serving a diverse population.

Edgardo Mansilla is the executive director of Americana Community Center in Louisville, Ky. A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Edgardo has extensive experience providing programs to benefit refugee, immigrant and low-income families. He is also a part-time professor at the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work, teaching courses in human diversity and planning and community development.

Maria Blough is a 2005 Bluffton graduate, receiving a degree in communication with minors in Spanish and business administration. After graduation, Maria moved to Louisville, Ky., to do a year of voluntary service through the Louisville Urban Corps program, where she was placed at Americana Community Center. She has served in a variety of roles at Americana, with both program and administrative experience.

No More Deaths: Humanitarian Aid is Never a Crime
Presented by: Paul and Kathleen Helbling, Christian Peacemaker Teams

Having volunteered with No More Deaths on the Borderlands of Arizona, the Helbling's will tell about the history of migration through the Borderlands, No More Deaths activities/volunteering, death maps, humane borders, Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge (BANWR) and Operation Streamline (enforcement policy) with time for questions and answers

Kathleen and Paul Helbling are retired educators living in Liberty Center, Ohio, and are members of Christian Peacemaker Teams.

Leaders will share the experiences and perspectives on immigration by cross-cultural study participants, as well as stories of people and places from the borderlands. We will talk about ways that we have tried to "bring home" what is learned in south Texas, and then discuss concrete ideas about how to apply or use what we have learned in our home communities.

Kathy Dickson, director of Career Development at Bluffton University and 2003 graduate, is a second year M.Div student at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. She elected to fill her MTSO cross-cultural requirement to the Texas/Mexico border in January with a trip with Union Theological Seminary.

Lynda Nyce, Bluffton University professor of sociology, has taken 140 students to the South Texas Mexico border to examine the realities of immigration. In addition, her recent research has been with Mexican immigrants in Northwest Ohio and Northern Indiana. Lynda is currently on leave from Bluffton and living in southern France.