http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/topimmigra_2261.mp3
A top immigration official comes to Springfield to discuss ways to help immigrants assimilate into their communities. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports. (KSMU's Matt Petcoff contributed to this report.)
A top immigration official for the Bush Adminsitration is in Springfield this week.
Alfonso Aquilar is the Chief of the Office of Citizenship of the Department of Homeland Security.
In an effort to raise awareness on the issue of immigration, a federal expert on the subject is in Springfield to hold three discussions at local rotary clubs.
He says it's important for Americans to be better educated on the process of legal immigration.
Part of the education process, Aguilar says, is to dissolve the misconception that all immigrants are undocumented.
He says he understands the confusion, but is working to change the public's view.
To help further the discussion on immigration, President Bush appointed Aguilar as a Chair of a new immigration task force.
This group, Aguilar says, is working on developing more programs to help immigrations assimilate to their local communities.
Aguilars visit to Springfield is part of an ongoing effort to help legal immigrants assimilate.