Muslim Students Association

Summary:

Immigration Nation: Past and Future aims to enlighten people to the importance of immigration and cultural diversity. Featured speaker will be Fatima Shama, the Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs for New York City.

Student speakers will also talk about their unique cultural backgrounds and how it has shaped them today. As our society increases in diversity, understanding each others cultures becomes more pivotal in our lives.

Cosponsored with Jewish Leaders in Business.

Program:

Mayor Bloomberg's Immigrant Affairs Commissioner, Fatima Shama will speak to 800 people about Immigration in America. 

Prior to Fatima Shama speaking, several students will speak about their personal experience with immigration along with associate professor of management, Mzamo Mangaliso, and a member of the community who graduated from the Center for New Americans program in Northampton, MA.

The main purpose of the event is to promote cross-cultural teamwork across the UMass campus.

WHAT’S YOUR STORY? Immigration affects every one of us, all the time. Did you know that immigrants have always improved the American economy, helping us all make more money? Today one out four people is an immigrant or has a parent who was an immigrant. Everyone’s family immigrated here one way or another. How did your family get here? 

WHAT’S YOUR FUTURE? Even though we all came from im

migrants and even though immigration makes us better off financially, we have always resisted new immigrants over the past 3 centuries. That continues today. Will you work with other people and cultures or will you fight them?

HOW WILL YOU SUCCEED? Immigration creates the multi-cultural world you will live and work in: they are your neighbors, your co-workers, your customers, your bosses, your doctors and hopefully your friends. 

Come to Immigration Nation and hear Fatima Shama, whose father is Palestinian and mother is Brazilian, talk about the original Immigrant City – New York. She is helping cities around the country integrate immigrants and their cultures. UMass students and faculty will share their stories and you will better understand how to help your community, your country and your world, making a better life for your family.