Immigrants from across Northwest Arkansas gathered in Springdale Sunday to hear the latest on possible reform happening at both the state and national level.
Mireya Reith, executive director of Arkansas United Community Coalition says the country's immigration system has been broken for the last forty years.
"There have been efforts at change but it's never been looked at at a broader comprehensive level," she says.
But with an increase in latino voters, lawmakers are taking another look.
"What we're talking about here is an opportunity to really fix the system," Reith says. "Acknowledging what the needs of our country are, acknowledging the changing face of our country and all work together to find a solution that really would be helpful for the United States."
She says there is a lot going on right now, both in Little Rock and the nation, but the average immigrant here can't keep up with the latest news on reforms.
"A lot of times it's because it's not in their native language, Spanish, or becuse things are moving so quickly they don't know how to get that information," she says.
The nonprofit brought in a panel of community activists and attorneys to let people know that, although no new laws have been passed, legislators are considering comprehensive changes.
"We wanted to take a pause here to be able to explain to folks and dispel some myths but give them a chance to ask those questions that they have and show them that there's folks working in this area that can help them through these processes," she says. "This is a perfect opportunity for them to take some active steps and put them in a better place to take advantage of those reforms."
Mireya Reith, executive director of Arkansas United Community Coalition says the country's immigration system has been broken for the last forty years.
"There have been efforts at change but it's never been looked at at a broader comprehensive level," she says.
But with an increase in latino voters, lawmakers are taking another look.
"What we're talking about here is an opportunity to really fix the system," Reith says. "Acknowledging what the needs of our country are, acknowledging the changing face of our country and all work together to find a solution that really would be helpful for the United States."
She says there is a lot going on right now, both in Little Rock and the nation, but the average immigrant here can't keep up with the latest news on reforms.
"A lot of times it's because it's not in their native language, Spanish, or becuse things are moving so quickly they don't know how to get that information," she says.
The nonprofit brought in a panel of community activists and attorneys to let people know that, although no new laws have been passed, legislators are considering comprehensive changes.
"We wanted to take a pause here to be able to explain to folks and dispel some myths but give them a chance to ask those questions that they have and show them that there's folks working in this area that can help them through these processes," she says. "This is a perfect opportunity for them to take some active steps and put them in a better place to take advantage of those reforms."
