In the wake of President Trump’s announcement rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Lawrence University will host a community forum to address questions and concerns regarding that decision.
Madison-based immigration attorney Mónica Santa María will lead the program “Rescission of DACA: Understanding the Current Immigration Environment” Thursday, Sept. 14 at 5:30 p.m. in the Warch Campus Center cinema, 711 E. Boldt Way. The event is free and open to the public.
During her presentation, Santa María will provide background on the DACA program, including the status of various active lawsuits filed both against the program and against its rescission. She’ll also discuss the differences between the benefits provided by DACA (prosecutorial discretion) and legal status and action steps for DACA beneficiaries and their family members. A question-and-answer session will conclude the program.
Following her presentation, Santa María will be available to Lawrence community members for 20-minute one-on-one conversations related to DACA/undocumented topics until 8 p.m. Anyone interesting in speaking with her can sign up by contacting the Diversity Center, 920-832-7051 or diversitycenter@lawrence.edu.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, Santa María opened her own law firm earlier this year. She began her law career in 2008 with the Madison office of Godfrey & Kahn, where she worked with the firm’s labor and employment group, focusing on immigration law. Prior to attending law school, she worked as a Spanish-English medical interpreter in various clinics and hospitals in the Madison area.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a master’s degree from MIT.
About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.
