Northern Michigan University will celebrate World Languages Week March 19-22. Lily Pearl Balloffet, history professor at Western Carolina University, will present "U.S. Policy, Global Migration and the American Dream: Past and Present" at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, in 1320 Jamrich Hall. She will also co-lead an Immigration and Community Workshop at the same time and location on Thursday, March 22. The Wildcat Den will offer cuisine from Spain, Germany and France for purchase Tuesday-Thursday, respectively. All of these activities are open to the public.

The movement of human beings across and within U.S. borders has become a focal point in the last year, and has been subject to continuous press coverage. In the midst of this media blitz and relentless social media campaigns, it can be difficult to decipher the meanings and historical contexts of actions such as President Donald Trump’s executive orders regarding refugees and migrants, increased ICE raids on migrant communities and the limbo that DACA students now face. Balloffet’s talk will contextualize the history of immigration policy over the past century to help understand our past and present.

Thursday's Immigration and Community Workshop will be led by Balloffet and two NMU professors: María Arenillas of Languages, Literatures and International Studies; and Amy Hamilton of English. Attendees are encouraged to bring questions and stories. Bring your questions and stories.

Also on Thursday, student Rachel Wood will share her experience studying abroad in Morocco and discuss the northern African country's Francophone heritage. Her talk will be held at 4 p.m. in 124 Whitman Hall.