Panel debates issues of illegal immigration.

Byline: Andrea Damewood The Register-Guard

CORRECTION (ran 11/30/2006): A front page article Tuesday, "Panel Debates Issues of Immigration," misspelled the name of Lane Community College instructor Steve Candee.

Lane Community College instructor Steve Cardee knew putting Springfield City Councilor Dave Ralston - whose comments on illegal immigration sparked controversy this summer - on a panel with three immigration rights supporters was going to create a great debate.

In front of more than 40 students and guests at LCC on Tuesday night, the panelists sparred on a number of issues, including multiculturalism and the enforcement of illegal immigration laws.

"This is all about a national identity," Ralston said. "Part of the destruction of a society is bilingualism that separates a community instead of finding what's in common."

Ralston said a large influx at one time of a culture can serve to destabilize the identity of a nation. Panelist Michael Samano, LCC ethnic studies coordinator, said a similar argument has been used for years.

"I would put it to the millions of people who came here - the Irish, the Germans - that were accused of not assimilating," he said. "All of this rhetoric has repeated itself through the decades."

Ralston countered that illegal immigration places a large strain on the nation's social systems, and cited statistics from Los Angeles County, saying two-thirds of births in the county are from illegal immigrants.

"California is the pertinent example, and that's why I use it, because that's what I don't want to see happen here," Ralston said.

Cardee said that he took some criticism from colleagues for inviting Ralston to the panel, part of his political science class "Problems in U.S. Politics through Film."

"I've known Dave for years, and I've very much wanted him to be a part of this," Cardee said. "A lot of times presentations are one-sided, and I do not like to do that."

Ralston became a hero to some and drew the ire of others in July after an e-mail he wrote to fellow Springfield city councilors was leaked to the media, in which he made statements such as, "They want to invade and not assimilate."

Ralston has stood by his comments, saying they've opened a door for discussion. But he said he also has learned much since this summer.

"That's a perspective that I've gained, knowing that people come here for valid reasons," Ralston said after the panel discussion. "But these people should want to come here legally."

Despite having divergent viewpoints, the panelists did agree that immigration reform is necessary.

"The election is done now," immigration attorney Craig Weinerman said. "And now is the time to sit down and come up with a solution."

While Weinerman was uncertain whether state and local resources should be used to find and deport illegal immigrants - of which Ralston is a vocal supporter - both concurred that having a greater police presence at the border would be more effective than attempting to deport the millions of illegal immigrants already living in communities.

"I agree with what a lot of people say here," Ralston said. "Divergent perspectives can come together and have an open dialogue, and that's what it's all about."