In response to ongoing changes and uncertainties in immigration enforcement, the Immigrant Alliance for Rights and Reconciliation (AIRR) and the Lawrence Asylum Coalition chapter are organizing an educational session to update the community on current local and national immigration policies.
The “Immigration 101” workshop will take place on Saturday, June 14, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM at the Lawrence Public Library auditorium, located at 707 Vermont Street.
According to organizers, attendees will gain insights into different legal statuses and protections, address common misconceptions, and hear firsthand accounts of immigrant experiences.
The event is free and open to the public; however, no legal services will be provided onsite.
AIRR, based in Kansas City, is a nonprofit dedicated to defending immigrant rights, while the Asylum Coalition advocates for policies that advance Lawrence’s sanctuary status and offers resources to local immigrant communities.
The session comes amid a backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement nationwide. Following federal moves to increase deportations and criminalize undocumented status, Kansas communities are experiencing ripple effects.
In May, Lawrence withdrew a controversial resolution from the city council agenda after public outcry. The proposal sought to suspend the city’s equal rights ordinance to avoid potential federal funding cuts—a move that could have weakened protections for immigrants under local laws.
City officials have not confirmed whether a revised version of the resolution will return to future council meetings, citing ongoing reassessment of the city’s approach.
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