Please Join Us!
Attorney Jeffrey D. Lobach, Esq will recount his involvement in a nationally recognized pro bono immigration project that evolved into a 4-year battle before the refugees were paroled by the President.

June 6 will mark the 25th anniversary of the day the Golden Venture, a cargo ship carrying nearly 300 Chinese refugees, ran aground near Queens, NY. Desperate to leave China to flee oppression and poverty, the ship’s passengers were offered transportation to America by human smugglers in exchange for the debt of $30,000 or more to be paid through years of labor in restaurants, factories and other businesses once in America.

Their hopes of a new life in America came to an abrupt stop in 1993, as the refugees were arrested and detained by the US Immigration and Naturalization Service. Many were placed in prisons throughout the US, with the largest contingent housed at the York County prison.

During imprisonment, these detainees made exquisite art from magazine pages, legal tablets, toilet paper and glue. Several of these original pieces will be on display during the presentation.

The event is FREE and family friendly. Also, enjoy a tour of the Goodridge Freedom Center and Underground Railroad Museum before and after the presentation.

For more information, contact Carol Kauffman at 717-309-5032 or ckauffman@crispusattucks.org.