Sus Derechos

The Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association is sponsoring a program intended to reach out to Hispanics in Southwest Missouri -- and it's not without some controversy.

"Sus Derechos: Your Rights," is the brainchild of Crista Hogan of the Bar Association. This Thursday, the Association will bring in a Kansas City immigration attorney to talk to Hispanics about their rights under current law and their responsibilities as citizens.

It's part of a quarterly project by the Bar Foundation, Grupo Latinoamericano, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

"It's not a rally or propaganda," Hogan tells the KY3 Political Notebook. "It's about filling a potential need in our community for information about immigration law, real estate issues, employment issues and other questions."

Hogan says she's already received a good amount of feedback about Thursday's event, which will feature Kansas City immigration attorney Payal Mehta. The forum will take place at the OTC Information Commons West Rooms 100 A & B.

The program will be presented in English and Spanish.

We're hearing some groups, like the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps, aren't happy about the event and may threaten to show up Thursday. Some have already called Hogan arguing that lawyers shouldn't be helping possible illegal immigrants learn more about their rights.