An Examination of Hispanic and Latino History
As part of their Documented Rights Exhibit, the National Archives at St. Louis hosted a distinguished panel of scholars and legal experts to discuss the historical significance of documents from the Hernandez v. Corpus Christi, Texas (1959) case. A sampling of these case documents are featured in the Documented Rights exhibition. This case involves discrimination against children with Spanish surnames who were required to attend Spanish language speaking public schools, even though they could not speak Spanish. The panel was moderated by attorney and immigration law professor Dr. Richard T. Middleton at the University of Missouri at St. Louis. Legal experts John Ammann (St. Louis University Civil Advocacy Clinic), Kenneth K. Schmitt (U.S. Legal Solutions, LLC & Missouri Kansas Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association), and Kristine Walentik (Catholic Immigration Law Project) were among the evenings speakers. The panelists examined how the Hernandez case impacts current immigration law in Missouri and other parts of the United States. Attorneys Ammann and Schmitt also discussed recent legislation surrounding Missouri's current debate over the implementation of an English-only drivers exam. Meanwhile, Kristine Walentik shared information on free legal aid available to immigrants who qualify. Contact the National Archives at St. Louis Public Programming at 314-801-0487 or Wanda Williams at 314-801-9313 for more information.
