Toledo Library to hold immigration discussion panel

TOLEDO, Ohio — The Toledo Library is hosting a panel to discuss the United States’ immigration system, as well as answer questions the public may have. 

The June 17 panel, called “Ask Us About the U.S. Immigration System,” runs from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Attendees can expect to hear from several expert panelists, who will answer questions and lead a conversation about the common legal challenges immigrants face in the U.S., the library said in a press release. 

The panelists are as follows:

Eugenio Mollo, Jr. – Clinical Assistant Professor of Law and Director of the Immigrant Justice Clinic at the University of Toledo College of Law. 

Dr. Kefa Otiso – Professor of Geography at Bowling Green State University and founding member of the New African Immigrant Commission of Ohio.

Mechelle Zarou – Chief People and Culture Officer and Deputy General Counsel at the Sisters of St. Francis.

Janelle Metzer, executive director at Water for Ishmael, will moderate the event. 

The panel takes place as the library celebrates Immigrant Heritage Month. The Toledo Library said it is observing the month with book recommendations, an art installation and more. Programs at the library also offer language skill development opportunities, citizenship exam preparations and community resources, according to the press release. 

It also comes at a time when the nation’s immigration system is at the forefront of political discussion. The Trump administration has made efforts to target people who it says are in the country illegally, as well as international students, and institutions and communities it says are not aligned with the administration’s immigration goals. Many deportation efforts have been met with significant legal challenges.