AMHERST, N.Y. – Buffalo area refugees will share their personal perspective in a panel discussion with local experts on the impact current refugee and immigration policies are having on Western New York families and children at an event taking place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 27 in Daemen College’s Wick Campus Center Social Room.

Panelists participating in the discussion, “Refugees, Immigrants, and Asylees: The Stories Behind the Policies,” will include:

• The Rev. Joan Montagnes, Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo.
• Irene Rekhviashvili, Office for New Americans Legal Council at Journey’s End Refugee Services.
• Brian Zralek, organizer for VOICE Buffalo.
• Refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The panel discussion, which is free and open to the public, is being co-sponsored by Daemen’s Paul A. Saffrin Center for Sustainability and Civic Engagement, and the college’s History and Political Science Department, Master of Public Health Program, and Paralegal Studies Program. Lunch will be served.