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Further information:  Contact John McAndrew
King's College Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5958

Documentary by King's Students on Immigration Debate in Hazleton to Debut at Two Theaters; Question and Answer Session to Follow

January 16, 2008 - A documentary written, produced and directed by King's College mass communications students and faculty members about controversial illegal immigration ordinances introduced in Hazleton will be shown publicly for the first time at two free screenings at Luzerne County movie theaters.

"Microcosm: The Illegal Immigration Issue in Hazleton, PA" will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 22, at Cinema and Drafthouse, 31 W. Broad Street, West Hazleton, and at 5:30 p.m. Friday, January 25, at RC Wilkes-Barre Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre.  Faculty and students who worked on the project will answer questions from the audience about the documentary and the issues surrounding the Hazleton case following each screening.

The 27-minute documentary examines the history of Hazleton, its rich heritage of cultural diversity and the issues that led the introduction of The Illegal Immigrant Relief Act Ordinance aimed at limiting access to employment and housing of illegal aliens.  Excerpts of interviews with representatives of city government, including Mayor Lou Barletta, members of the Hazleton Area Latino Task Force, the Hazleton Hispanic Business Association and Catholic Social Services are among those included in the documentary.

The documentary was produced as a class project by approximately 20 King's College mass communications majors during the 2006-07 academic year.  The documentary has been updated to include information on the July court decision ruling the original legislation as unconstitutional and attempts by other United States cities to pass similar laws.

King's College is a Catholic College sponsored by the congregation of Holy Cross.