PIIN IMMIGRATION POLICY SUMMIT SCHEDULED FOR M.L.K. HOLIDAY The Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network (PIIN) will hold a Regional Summit on Immigration Law in the Duquesne Room of the Duquesne University Union 8:30 to noon Monday, January 17, the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. [The Highland Park connection: The program will feature Highland Park's own Maritza Mosquera's "Immigrant Body: in translation project" and will highlight Education Innovation's Inc. founder and CEO Salvador Wilcox's immigration from El Salvador at age 9 from El Salvador in 1982.] “We believe it is appropriate to observe the birthday of our nation’s most honored civil rights leader by focusing attention on the civil rights of immigrants, refugees, and international students in these trying times,” said Wallace Watson president-elect of PIIN. The meeting will feature discussion of problems faced by members of those groups in the Pittsburgh region, particularly in the aftermath of 9/11; presentations on federal legislation addressing immigration policy in the just-ended session of Congress; and consideration of future policy recommendations. The state’s two U.S. Senators and members of the House of Representatives from the region have been invited to the event. Speakers will include immigrants, refugees, and international students as well as individuals providing services to those groups, including immigration attorneys. The event is open to the public. A $5 donation will be requested. Among the planners for the event are representatives from many PIIN congregations; the Duquesne University Office of International Programs; the Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Office of Multi-cultural Education; the Jewish Family and Children’s Service; the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh; the Carlow University Interfaith Center; Stand for Children: ESL teachers in several institutions; the Service Employers’ International Union and the Carpenters’ Union; the Latin American Cultural Union; the Latino Catholic Community; the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service; and the American Friends Service Committee. PIIN is an interracial, urban-suburban association of 32 congregations and other faith-based organizations representing many religious traditions (including Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Unitarian, and Quaker) and working for systemic social, economic, and political changes in the interest of equity and justice. PIIN’s work on immigration policy is being supported by its national affiliate, the Gamalial Foundation of Chicago. Gamaliel’s coast-to-coast faith-based campaign, Civil Rights for Immigrants, calls for granting work permits and a path to citizenship for immigrants, both documented and undocumented, who are already working in the U.S.; expanded family and worker visas; integration of immigrants fully into U.S. society; and more effective and consistent enforcement of border controls. For reservations and further information: Scott Pappert: 412-901-6677, epidwsp@yahoo.com, or Ann Sitron, 412-244-0951, peter.adams@att.net Note: Reduced-price parking permits ($6.60) in the campus garage must be confirmed before January 12.