UF experts available to comment on illegal immigration issues

April 27, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — As immigrants’ rights groups are organizing a work stoppage, economic boycott and marches for May 1, the following experts are available at the University of Florida to provide insight and comment on related topics:

Labor issues
Robert D. Emerson, professor in the food and resource economics department, researches the effects of uncertain U.S. immigration policy on labor availability in agriculture.
(352) 392-1881, ext. 316
remerson@ufl.edu

Latino immigrants
Allan F. Burns, anthropology professor, is an expert on immigration from Mexico and Central America to the United States.
(352) 392-2230
afburns@anthro.ufl.edu

Bilingual education
Maria Coady, professor of education, researches attitudes toward bilingual education, policies and practices. She regularly takes UF students on field trips to migrant farm worker communities in South Florida.
(352) 392-9191, ext. 232
mcoady@coe.ufl.edu

Immigration law
Juan F. Perea, law professor, has published a number of articles on immigration history and immigration law.
(352) 273-0918
perea@law.ufl.edu

Religion in Latino communities
Phil Williams, political science professor, and Manuel Vasquez, professor of religion, are researching the interaction between religion and politics in Florida’s Latino communities. Their work is funded by a $550,000 grant from the Ford Foundation.
Williams, (352) 392-0262, ext. 247, pjw@polisci.ufl.edu
Vasquez, (352) 392-1625, ext. 229, mvasquez@religion.ufl.edu