PHOENIX — “Hands Across Borders: A Series of Conversations and Events Related to Immigration Reform,” will be presented April 17-30 in various locations in Phoenix.

April 17 — “U.S. Citizenship: The Economic Pathway,” sponsored by O’Connor House, The Real Arizona Coalition and ASU Morrison Institute Latino Public Policy Center. A panel discussion introduced by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and moderated by 12 News Brahm Resnik, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus, Cronkite Journalism Building, 555 N. Central Ave., Room 128, featuring former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor; the Morrison Institute’s Joseph Garcia, presenting a new report on the economic impact of providing citizenship for undocumented immigrants; Alex Nowrasteh, Cato Institute immigration policy analyst; Mac Magruder, business and community leader; and Maria Castro of the Arizona DREAM Act Coalition.  Register at morrison.institute@asu.edu.

April 18 –  “Hands Across Borders: An evening of arts, culture and civil discourse in appreciation of AZ-Mexico cross-border relations”; 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Presented by The Real Arizona Coalition, Latino Jewish Dialogue and the Consul General of Mexico, Victor Trevino. Featuring Synagogues of Mexico Exhibit, Poet Alberto Rios, Ballet Fiesta Mexicana, and a diverse array of speakers and performers. Arizona Office of the Mexican Consul General 320 E McDowell Rd, #320, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Space is limited. RSVP at handsbordersrsvp@gmail.com.

April 19— “Immigration Reform”, a panel discussion on federal immigration reform, moderated by former U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl, 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Eight, Arizona PBS Studios, 555 N. Central Ave., sixth floor of ASU’s Cronkite School of Journalism. The event will be televised and include and introduction by ASU President Michael Crow. Panelists include Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery; Daniel R. Ortega Jr., attorney and immediate past chairman of the National Council of La Raza; and Mesa Mayor Scott Smith—all proponents of the SANE proposal for immigration reform. Others on the panel: Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry President/CEO Glenn Hamer; Immigration Works President/CEO Tamar Jacoby; and Lisa Magana, associate professor at ASU’s School of Trans-border Studies. Guests must be in their seats by 11:15 a.m.  SOLD OUT

April 19 – “Visa to Paradise”, documentary by Mexican filmmaker Lillian Liberman; 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Cronkite School of Journalism, Room 128, 555 N. Central Avenue, sponsored by the Consul General of Mexico, ASU and The Real Arizona Coalition. The film explores the work of Gilberto Bosques Salvídar who became known as the “Mexican Schindler.” As the Mexican Consul General in France from 1939-1942, Bosques Salvador issued almost 45,000 exit visas to Jews, Spanish Republicans and others who were persecuted by the Nazis, resulting in him being arrested and imprisoned. Lieberman artistically weaves war footage with interviews of people who knew the diplomat and those he saved and their families to illustrate Salvídar’s bravery in a time of extreme hardship. Inspiring. English sub-titles. To RSVP,cultura@consulmexphoenix.phxcoxmail.com

April 19 – Phoenix Business Journal 20-page advertorial supplement on immigration reform, featuring Real Arizona Coalition leaders and members, viewpoints offered by a wide array of Arizona community, business and faith leaders, an outline of the SANE immigration reform proposal—all brought to you by the Real Arizona Coalition. Available April 19 at the http://therealarizona.org/ or http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/

April 24 — “Arizona Talks Immigration,” a panel discussion and luncheon at noon at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., sponsored by Greater Phoenix Economic Council and hosted by Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers and Mesa Mayor Scott Smith. The discussion will be moderated by Susan Page, USA Today Washington bureau chief. For details: http://tinyurl.com/btg5765.

April 30 — “Valley Leadership Community Dialogue Series: Immigration Reform,” 6 to 7 p.m. at the Arizona Community Foundation’s Debi Bisgrove Community Philanthropy Center, 2201 E. Camelback Road, Suite 405B, Phoenix. The panel, moderated by Marty Shultz, includes Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery; State Sen. Bob Worsley, R-Mesa; attorney and immediate past-chair of the National Council of La Raza, Daniel R. Ortega, Jr.; and Real Arizona Coalition co-founders Lisa Urias and Denise D. Resnik. For details: http://www.valleyleadership.org/news-events/current-events-activities.aspx

Click here, or contact James E. Garcia at 602-460-1374 or jgcvm1@gmail.com for more information.