People with common interests in the future of Latinos in Georgia will gather Saturday at Gainesville State College to discuss, debate, learn and connect.

The Third Annual Georgia Latino Forum Meeting and Conference will include representatives from business, education, government and nonprofit groups. The hot topic of the day is sure to be immigration, organizer Sharon Maloney said.

“That’s always the No. 1 burning issue,” Maloney said.

Attendees will hear different sides of the issue. In the morning, an official with the American Civil Liberties Union will talk about an increase in workplace immigration crackdowns. Hall County Sheriff Steve Cronic, whose participation in the federal 287(g) program has led to a local increase in the deportation of illegal aliens, will speak in the afternoon.

Other topics covered during the conference will include an analysis of the Latino vote and its implication for future elections, a preview of the 2010 census and measuring academic performance of Latino children.

The Georgia Latino Forum also will hold its yearly elections for the 12-member board of directors.

Saturday marks the first time the conference has been held in Hall County. Previous meetings were held at Clarke Atlanta University and Kennesaw State University in Cobb County.

“Mostly it’s about education, getting the word out, and networking,” Maloney said. “It’s about educating the public and community about issues that are affecting them and what’s being done, and to let them know what the Georgia Latino Forum is.”