Ideas for Students

Fifteen Cabrini College students culminated a semester-long study of immigration with a trip to the nation’s capital Friday, April 23, to meet with senate aides and discuss the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

The students met with staff at the offices of Senator Arlen Specter, Senator Robert Casey, and Senator Robert Menendez.

In preparation for their Senate visit, the students carefully studied a variety of viewpoints in order to develop their own points of view. The students focused their discussions on several key aspects of the issue: 1) a “path to earned citizenship” for undocumented persons currently in the United States, 2) reform of the employment-based and family-based immigration systems, and 3) the need to address the root causes of migration.

The class worked closely with staff at Catholic Relief Services and the Justice for Immigrants Campaign of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Student lobbyists included Katie Bonanni, Arielle Friscia, Katharine Engell, Brian Loschiavo, Amanda Carson, Monica Burke, Gianna Shikitino, Eric Gibble, Gabrielle Gorbey, Connor Logue, Patrick Gallagher, Joseph Stafford, Samantha Neighbor, and Megan Kutulis (not pictured in photo: Christopher Catagnus).

The class is part of Cabrini College’s new core curriculum, Justice Matters, which prepares students to be engaged in important societal issues. Over the course of their four years, students develop life-long skills for civic engagement in the pursuit of social justice.

In addition to lobbying, students participated in the March 21 rally in Washington. Some of the students also met with Senator Specter’s local office and delivered messages from students at Cabrini College and St. Joseph’s University.

Cabrini College has an official partnership with CRS. In addition to the college core curriculum on social justice, students have developed a co-curricular ambassador program consisting of student groups focused on issues like migration, human trafficking, HIV/AIDS, food and water security, and Fair Trade and microfinance.