Students Working for Equal Rights (S.W.E.R.) will hold a Comprehensive Immigration Reform Forum, to raise awareness on the federal Immigration Reform bill, on March 27 in the Performance Theatre of the Don Taft University Center at 6 p.m., free for all NSU students, faculty, staff and the general public.
NSU’s S.W.E.R., a campus organization less than a year old, works to educate the NSU community about immigration, social justice and equal access to education through campus events.
Along with other speakers yet to be announced, Jose Garcia, U.S. representative for Florida’s 26th Congressional District, will be a keynote speaker at the upcoming forum. After formal introductions of the guest speakers, there will be a question and answer session with S.W.E.R. members and the audience.
S.W.E.R. is a state-wide organization consisting of 15 chapters and was originally founded by a group of undocumented immigrant youth. NSU’s chapter was formed in December 2011, but started hosting activities and planning events in fall 2012, after its members received training.
Antonella Sanchez, sophomore communication studies major, is the founder and president of NSU’s S.W.E.R., said, “To me, S.W.E.R. represents an equal opportunity for education. It changes people’s lives for the better.”
Sanchez decided to start a chapter in order to help the undocumented community in Broward County and inform the NSU community about the nation’s current controversy on immigration reform.
Stephanie Cedeno, sophomore biology major and S.W.E.R.’s treasurer, said, “S.W.E.R. means a lot to me because of the personal struggles my family in Columbia and in the U.S. face. The struggle is real, and I just want all of my family to be together and finish with these troubles. I know what it is like firsthand, and I want to help others in similar situations.”
Jose Matado, policy and legislative analyst for S.W.E.R., meets with district representatives to see where they stand on immigration issues. If the representative believes in immigrant rights, S.W.E.R. will support him or her in reelection. Otherwise, the organization educates the area, especially the Latino community, of their respective representative’s views.
Matado said, “The ultimate power is in the people, to hold their district representatives accountable. Without constituents, these authoritative figures have no power.”
Sanchez would like to lead S.W.E.R. to become a well-known, reputable organization at NSU. The organization does not have membership dues and meets biweekly on Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m. in the Rosenthal Student Center. Its next meeting will be on March 26.
Sanchez said, “It’s been difficult to find students committed to the cause, but right now we’re doing pretty good.”
Paula Muñoz, sophomore psychology major and S.W.E.R.’s vice president, believes that S.W.E.R.’s mission is important and relevant to today’s controversy on immigration reform.
“S.W.E.R. is an opportunity to speak out on civil injustice and to defend those who can’t defend themselves,” she said.
S.W.E.R. membership is open to all students, undergraduate and graduate, along with faculty and staff.
Alex Luidens, freshman communication studies major and S.W.E.R.’s Inter-Organizational Counsel Chair, said “I’d like to see the organization grow, both in number of members and influence on campus, in the coming semesters. Our upcoming events will raise interest and awareness on rights issues.”
For more information on S.W.E.R. and its March 27 forum, contact Antonella Sanchez at as2101@nova.edu.
