Alabama House Bill 56 has placed immigration at center stage in our state. In years past, students and faculty at Samford University have engaged in dialogue on this critical issue, with these conversations continuing throughout Spring 2012.
May 8, 2012 - Courageous Conversations: Invasion or Opportunity? focused on immigration in Alabama, and the Christian response to laws like Alabama House Bill 56; the program was part of an ongoing series of similar conversations hosted by the Mann Center. Panelists included Dr. Fred Shepherd, Dr. Mike Floyd, Azalea Hulbert, Taylor Bell, and Austin Davis. Zayne Smith, Immigrant Policy Fellow at Alabama Appleseed, was a guest panelist, with Dr. Mark Bateman as moderator. See photos.
April 24, 2012 - Samford Debate hosted a public debate on immigration, specifically on Alabama House Bill 56.
April 3, 2012 - The Samford College Democrats and Republicans held a forum promoting civility in the debate on immigration.
February 23, 2012 - The G92 South Immigration Conference promoted Christ-honoring dialogue about immigration, with speakers and facilitators from across the United States.
February 20, 2012 - Reel Justice and Samford University Ministries presented Gospel Without Borders, a film highlighting immigration stories in Arizona, Arkansas, North Carolina, Alabama, and Iowa.
February 9 & 10, 2012 - The Birmingham Area Consortium for Higher Education (BACHE) hosted a two-day immigration forum at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Samford University.
February 3, 2012 - Alabama Appleseed and the Welcoming Alabama Campaign sponsored a photo shoot to highlight diversity in Alabama.
November 15, 2011 - The Birmingham Business Journal sponsored a panel discussion at Samford on the economic impacts of immigration (Homewood, AL). Learn more.
October 25, 2011 - Samford Debate hosted a tournament focused on Alabama's immigration law, HB56 (Homewood, AL). Learn more.
July 20, 2011 - Dr. Jeremy Thornton from Samford's Brock School of Business served as a panelist for the Birmingham International Center's immigration forum (Birmingham, AL). Learn more.
September 16, 2010 - Sonia Nazario, author of Enrique's Journey, spoke at Samford as part of the Cordell Hull Speakers Forum. The event was hosted by the Cumberland School of Law, and focused on the complexity of issues related to immigration (Homewood, AL). Learn more.
February 3, 2010 - Daniel Carroll, author of Christians at the Border, spoke at Beeson Divinity School's 21st Annual Biblical Studies Lectures. The Mann Center joined Beeson to co-sponsor a panel discussion focusing on biblical perspectives on immigration. See photos and video (Homewood, AL).
October 19, 2006 - Dr. Juan Hernandez, the first U.S.-born citizen to serve on on the Mexican presidential cabinet, spoke on immigration, focusing on U.S. relationships with Mexico (Homewood, AL). Learn more.