“Life & Times,” KCET’s signature news and public affairs series presents “Life & Times Immigration Special,” on Tuesday, July 18 (10:00 – 10:30 p.m.) on KCET. The special examines what many say is the most controversial issue in Southern California —immigration. The special will look at the debate over a seven-hundred-mile border fence, the impact of the massive street demonstrations, the anti-immigration measure launched in San Bernardino, what it takes to become legal in the U.S. and the perspective of Blacks and non-Latino immigrants. The stories are drawn from five months of reportage from the award-winning “Life & Times’” in-depth coverage of the issue.

Viewers will hear from spokespeople on both side of this controversy including Democratic Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, illegal-immigration critic and writer Doug Wilson, border patrol officers, members of the conservative Minuteman organization, “Los Angeles Times” columnist Gregory Rodriguez, Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher as well some of the undocumented workers who make up the estimated 10 million illegal residents of the U.S.

“We have reported on an incredible range of issues surrounding the immigration debate,” says Val Zavala, “Life & Times” anchor. “With immigration reform still unresolved in Congress, we feel it would be a good time to look at this complex issue in one cohesive program.”

About “Life & Times”

Since 1992 “Life & Times” has been KCET’s signature news and public affairs series.

Its mission is to offer viewers in central and southern California a lively and substantive source of local news, providing in-depth reporting, interviews and features on issues and topics that impact our diverse communities.

It is a unique series offering coverage of education, politics, government, criminal justice, race relations, the economy, environment, demographics, science, culture, local history, arts, film and authors, among other topics. This highly respected series has won numerous awards over the past decade including 22 Los Angeles area Emmy Awards and 25 Golden Mikes.

“Life & Times” airs every Monday through Friday at 6:30 p.m. Each daily episode repeats at 1:00 a.m. Additional information is available online at kcet.org/lifeandtimes. “Life & Times” is sponsored by the L.K. Whittier Foundation, Jim and Anne Rothenberg, Queens Care, The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department and Boeing.