Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2006-06-21

Duration: 00:56:24

Subjects: Migrant labor | Hurricane Katrina, 2005 | Immigration | Agriculture | Filmed panel discussions

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Freeman, Craig Host
• Godoy, Al Producer
• Fussel, Elizabeth Interviewee
• Letten, Jim Interviewee
• Gutierrez, Martin Interviewee
• Poche, Rhonda Interviewee
• Vitter, David Interviewee
• Cravins, Donald Interviewee
• LaFonta, Juan Interviewee
• Neubig, JIll Speaker
• Sarah, Mostafa Speaker
• Robinson, Florence Speaker
• Haywood, Anita Speaker
• Vidaurreta, Alicia Speaker
• Davis, Janet Speaker
• Mochelle, Patrick Speaker
• Collins, John Speaker
• Randall, David Speaker
• Langland, Virginia Speaker
• Olsen-Phillips, Jane Speaker
• Migues, Karen Speaker
• Migues, Donna Speaker
• Neubig, Eric Speaker
• Flynn, Jeri Panelist
• Holt, Sibal Panelist
• Gonzales, Jesus Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from June 21, 2006, features Craig Freeman leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on the influx of immigration in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina. A background report on the topic precedes the discussion. It includes interviews with: Dr. Elizabeth Fussel, Professor of Sociology at Tulane University; United States Attorney Jim Letten; Matron Gutierrez, Director of the Hispanic Apostolate of the Archdiocese of New Orleans; Rhonda Poche, Livingston Parish farmer; United States Senator David Vitter; and State Senator Donald Cravins. The audience members then discuss: the impact of immigration on Louisiana’s economy; their views on legislation mandating an official language for the United States; immigration policy; and whether undocumented workers positively or negatively impact the economy. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are: State Senator Donald Cravins; Jeri Flynn, immigration attorney; Sibal Holt, former president of the Louisiana AFL-CIO; and Reverend Jesus M. Gonzales, Pastor of the Monte de los Olivos Lutheran Church in Metairie. They discuss: upcoming legislation regarding “a path to citizenship” for undocumented workers and how immigration impacts education, social services and the criminal justice system. This program was preserved through a 2022-2023 Public Broadcasting Preservation Fellowship. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Craig Freeman