By Kelli Yoder Truth Staff

GOSHEN -- Irene Gunn didn't vote for U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, but after sitting down and having a conversation with him, she's very impressed.

"I would vote for him next time," Gunn said. "I really like him."

Donnelly found immigration to be the topic of choice Sunday during an hour where he talked with Gunn and a dozen others who showed up to Martin's Super Market in Goshen for a Congress On Your Corner event.

Since Donnelly took office in 2007, he has taken time to visit towns in Indiana and discuss whatever people want to know about during these events.

"If people have a veteran's issue or a Social Security issue or they want to talk to me about anything in particular," Donnelly said, "this is their chance for me to sit down with them here at the grocery store in the deli section and let me know what they think."

Goshen city councilwoman Dixie Robinson came with a handful of others who had one major issue they wanted to address. Bob Schrameyer carried a folder full of research to the table. "(Donnelly's) a cosponsor of the SAVE act, which is regarding illegal immigration," he said. "That's why most of us were here."

Throughout the hour-long conversation, they sought to find out more about the SAVE (Secure America with Verification and Enforcement) act and let Donnelly know that the issue of illegal immigration is important in Goshen, where school enrollments are 30 percent to 40 percent minority.

Gunn and her husband, Jim, asked Donnelly a range of questions about his views on illegal immigration, the SAVE act and how the federal government can work with Goshen's local government.

Robinson asked Donnelly what he felt should be done about illegal immigrants. When he agreed they should be deported, she applauded.

"There are laws in this country," Donnelly said. "Laws to be followed. If you want to come to this country, you can apply to come here. You can do it the legal, L-E-G-A-L way."

Schrameyer left feeling positively about Donnelly's views on immigration. "It's great to see the federal government finally doing something," he said.

Other topics covered included the Iraq war, foreign trade and the oil crisis.

While in Goshen, Donnelly also visited the FEMA disaster center opening in response to flooding in the area. "We just wanted to thank everybody involved for trying to help with this very difficult situation," he said.

The Gunns don't affiliate themselves with the Democratic party, but were still impressed with Donnelly.

"I don't care if he is a Democrat. That's not important," Irene said. "We give him an 'A-plus.' "