Karla McKanders
An associate professor in the University of Tennessee College of Law will discuss the migration surge of vulnerable immigrants to East Tennessee during a lunchtime meeting Tuesday, a press release said.
Karla McKanders will be the guest speaker at Lunch with the League on Tuesday, November 4. The program will be held at noon in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church’s new location at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.
The press release said vulnerable immigrants are those who have migrated to the United States and are not afforded full protections under national and state laws.
In her discussion, McKanders will address the recent humanitarian crisis on the southern border and its impact on Tennessee’s juvenile and immigration courts. She will provide background information on who is migrating to East Tennessee; what precipitated the surge in unaccompanied minors; and the forms of humanitarian relief for which they are eligible. The conversation will center on engaging League of Women Voters on how to continue their history of involvement surrounding immigration policy issues in East Tennessee and nationally, the release said.
Since 2008, McKanders has directed UT’s Immigration Clinic, where she and her law students have provided legal representation to immigrants from around the world who cannot afford counsel. Her current work focuses on the legal representation of unaccompanied minors associated with the surge of children coming to East Tennessee. In October of this year, she travelled with her law students to Artesia, New Mexico, to provide legal representation to detained women and children. Her work has taken her around the country and across the world advocating on behalf of immigrants.
Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, Lunch with the League is open to the public. There is no cost to attend, and reservations are not needed. Box lunches will be available starting at 11:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis for $8, or you may bring your own. Coffee and tea are provided.
For more information, visit lwvoakridge.org.
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