Immigrants to talk about the struggles
Posted: Saturday, September 16, 2006
Karen Mackey, executive director of the Sioux City Human Rights Commission, announced Friday at the mayor's weekly press conference that the commission will host an immigration forum from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Council Chambers.
Members of Siouxland's immigrant community will discuss their decision to immigrate to the United States, the process of immigrating and what it has been like for them to be an immigrant in this community. Mike Krysl, a member of the Human Rights Commission, will serve as moderator of the event. The public is encouraged to attend.
Participants will include Manoj Patil, Susanna Mendez, Norma DeLaO and Minh Doan.
Patil is originally from India. After receiving his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, he came to the United States to continue his education. Patil received his master's degree in chemical and natural gas engineering from Texas A&M University in 2002. Since graduating, Patil has been a chemistry instructor at Western Iowa Technical Community College. He was awarded a faculty mini-grant for a biodiesel project in 2004-05. In addition to his teaching position, he reviews textbook for publishers.
Mendez came to the United States from Mexico when she was 9. Her father, who lived in the United States, began the process of bringing his family to this country before she was born. During the 10 years it took the family to legally immigrate, Mendez's mother raised their children alone with occasional visits from her father. Mendez graduated from North High School and attended Western Iowa Technical Community College. She is in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. She is employed at La Casa Latina.
DeLaO also emigrated from Mexico as a young child. DeLaO is the director of the New Iowan Center. She is also a member of the Nebraska Mexican-American Commission and serves on the steering committee for the annual Convention of the Iowa Division of Latino Affairs.
Minh immigrated to the United States from Vietnam in 1993. He is currently the president of Vietnamese Mutual Assistance Association of Siouxland, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Doan assists his community by acting as a translator and is active in cultural events, such as the local Vietnamese New Year celebration.
Members of Siouxland's immigrant community will discuss their decision to immigrate to the United States, the process of immigrating and what it has been like for them to be an immigrant in this community. Mike Krysl, a member of the Human Rights Commission, will serve as moderator of the event. The public is encouraged to attend.
Participants will include Manoj Patil, Susanna Mendez, Norma DeLaO and Minh Doan.
Patil is originally from India. After receiving his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, he came to the United States to continue his education. Patil received his master's degree in chemical and natural gas engineering from Texas A&M University in 2002. Since graduating, Patil has been a chemistry instructor at Western Iowa Technical Community College. He was awarded a faculty mini-grant for a biodiesel project in 2004-05. In addition to his teaching position, he reviews textbook for publishers.
Mendez came to the United States from Mexico when she was 9. Her father, who lived in the United States, began the process of bringing his family to this country before she was born. During the 10 years it took the family to legally immigrate, Mendez's mother raised their children alone with occasional visits from her father. Mendez graduated from North High School and attended Western Iowa Technical Community College. She is in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. She is employed at La Casa Latina.
DeLaO also emigrated from Mexico as a young child. DeLaO is the director of the New Iowan Center. She is also a member of the Nebraska Mexican-American Commission and serves on the steering committee for the annual Convention of the Iowa Division of Latino Affairs.
Minh immigrated to the United States from Vietnam in 1993. He is currently the president of Vietnamese Mutual Assistance Association of Siouxland, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Doan assists his community by acting as a translator and is active in cultural events, such as the local Vietnamese New Year celebration.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 7 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
mchik1 wrote on Sep 20, 2006 9:39 PM:
Eric wrote on Sep 19, 2006 10:30 AM:
JB wrote on Sep 18, 2006 1:57 PM:
reno wrote on Sep 16, 2006 9:17 PM:
Mary wrote on Sep 16, 2006 9:02 PM: