Students stand in front of U.S. capitol
RADNOR, Pa. (April 30, 2010) — Fifteen Cabrini College students culminated a semester-long study of immigration with a trip to the nation's capital Friday, April 23, to meet with senate aides to discuss the need for comprehensive immigration reform.
The students met with staff at the offices of Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.), Senator Robert Casey (D-Pa.), and Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.).
To prepare for their Senate visit, the students carefully researched a variety of viewpoints in order to develop their own points of view. The students focused their discussions on several key aspects of the issue: a "path to earned citizenship" for undocumented persons in the United States; reform of employment-based and family-based immigration systems; and the need to address root causes of migration.
The class worked closely with staff at Catholic Relief Services and the Justice for Immigrants Campaign of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Students who lobbied were Katie Bonanni ’11, Arielle Friscia ’11, Katharine Engell ’11, Brian Loschiavo ’11, Amanda Carson ’11, Monica Burke ’10, Gianna Shikitino ’11, Eric Gibble ’11, Gabrielle Gorbey ’11, Connor Logue ’11, Patrick Gallagher ’11, Joseph Stafford ’11, Samantha Neighbor ’11, Megan Kutulis ’10 and Christopher Catagnus ’11.
The class is part of Cabrini College's new core curriculum, Justice Matters, which prepares students to be engaged in important societal issues. Over the course of their four years, students develop life-long skills for civic engagement in the pursuit of social justice.