Experts on Central America and immigration will discuss the caravan of migrants heading to the U.S. border in a panel discussion Monday evening at the University of Washington. The forum is being sponsored by the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies.
Re?at Kasaba, director of the Jackson School, said the aim of the gathering is to present information about U.S. immigration law and context about why so many people are choosing to flee El Salvador and Honduras. President Donald Trump has tweeted that the migrants include gang members and "some very bad people,” but Kasaba said they're people seeking safety.
“What really pushes people to take these very dangerous, very long trips, journeys with their families and small children, I think it is really fear for their lives,” Kasaba said.
The panelists will be Jackson School professors Vanessa Freije, Kathie Friedman, Angelina Godoy and Tony Lucero. Diane Lopez, a master’s candidate in the Information School, will also take part. Kasaba will moderate the discussion.
Kasaba said some of the Jackson School faculty have been in touch with people in the caravan and will share those stories. The forum is open to the public and starts at 7 p.m.
