Contemporary Conversations: Dispelling Myths around U.S. Immigration

• Event Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
• Time: 6:30 pm–8:00 pm (CDT)
• Location: Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana, IL

• Talk
• Exhibit-Related tag

In connection with the exhibit Unfinished Revolutions: Living Stories of American Rights, the Spurlock Museum presents Contemporary Conversations: Dispelling Myths around U.S. Immigration.

If you spend a few minutes on social media, you’ll likely come across debates about immigration, including the citizenship process and ICE raids. People hold strong opinions about U.S. immigration; however, what’s fact and what’s fiction. This contemporary conversation explores the history of U.S. immigration, examines current laws and immigrant experiences, and highlights the work being done to assist immigrant communities and challenge inequitable and inhumane immigration policies. Join the Spurlock Museum and guest panelists for this important conversation.

Panelists include Francisco Baires, Director, New American Welcome Center at the University YMCA; Lauren R. Aronson, Clinical Law Professor, Immigration Law Clinic Director, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; David G. Siglos, Jr., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Asian American Studies, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; and Gioconda Guerra Perez, Interim Vice Chancellor for Access, Civil Rights, and Community; moderated by Amy Kyung Eun Breslin, Associate Director, Asian American Cultural Center.

About the Series

Contemporary Conversations instigate conversations around contemporary cultural issues, themes, and ideas. These are mostly moderated conversations with a panel of experts, practitioners, and enthusiasts.