Reform Immigration for America

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Our broken immigration system is hurting our economy, American families, and all American workers. Comprehensive immigration reform is the solution. President Obama supports reform. But only Congress has the power to pass legislation.

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Economy sends Utah adults back to high school

The first people who are laid off in a bad economy are the ones without a high school diploma or English fluency. Many people are going back to school to get their GED, learn English and upgrade their skills. - - Donna Poisl

Programs get more students, less funding.

By Lisa Schencker, The Salt Lake Tribune

Larry Smith didn't know what his life would hold 18 years ago when he left Tooele High School without a diploma.

Now, at age 36, he's worked enough construction, automotive and menial jobs to know he wants more, to know he never again wants to wake up in a homeless shelter.

"Starting at the bottom is really hard, and with the economy right now, if you ain't got the schooling, it's really tough," Smith said between classes at Horizonte Instruction and Training Center on Thursday. In late June, he enrolled at the Salt Lake City School District center to earn what he hopes will make all the difference -- his high school diploma. "I have the experience; I just don't have the degrees."
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The Changing Face of Immigration to America

More than 50% of immigrants are women and their lives in this country are much different than they were in their homeland. - - Donna Poisl

The Story of the Woman Migrant as Today’s Newcomer

New America Media, Commentary, Angela Kelley

WASHINGTON – Recent statements by President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicate a strong likelihood that congressional debate on immigration will begin later this year. Concern about immigrants’ integration into U.S. culture is a longstanding tension from past debates that will undoubtedly resurface. Fears that immigrants in modern day America are different and lack commitment to assimilate are pervasive and permeate much of the discussion both inside and outside the Beltway.

Yet, often missing from the debate is an understanding of who today’s immigrants are and how they adapt to American culture and see their future in this new homeland.
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Dallas immigration court's backlog hits 10-year high

Larger caseloads and fewer judges are making the backlog worse than ever. - - Donna Poisl

By AVI SELK / The Dallas Morning News

The backlog of cases in Dallas' immigration court has reached its highest point in a decade, resulting in the second-longest waiting times in Texas, a new national study shows.

At the end of April, Dallas had 2,633 pending cases, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a nonpartisan group at Syracuse University that analyzes federal efficiency. The only courts with more were in San Antonio and in Houston, which has the longest waiting time.

Overall, the number of immigration cases handled by the administrative judges in Dallas, including bonds, motions and removal proceedings, has climbed more 50 percent since fiscal year 1999.

The backlog generally stems from larger caseloads, the complexity of immigration disputes and the lack of enough administrative judges and resources to help them.
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Denver metro districts enroll diversity

Classrooms represent the whole world, in this class of 22 students, 11 languages are spoken. This is difficult for the teacher, but what a terrific way for the kids to learn about other cultures! - - Donna Poisl

By Jeremy P. Meyer and Burt Hubbard, The Denver Post

When Debbie Smith left her teaching position in southwest Denver for a job in a Cherry Creek district school, she anticipated a classroom filled with rich, white kids.

What she found at Eastridge Elementary in southwest Aurora were children of refugees and immigrants and a third-grade classroom even more diverse than the one she left in Denver.

"I had no idea Cherry Creek was like this," said Smith, who has taught at Eastridge for seven years. "I've had students from every continent but Antarctica. I love this. I love all of the cultures."
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West Ga. Tech's English language classes bursting at seams

English Literacy Programs all over the country are full, with waiting lists. Even though it is hard for immigrants to fit classes into their busy lives, they know they need it. - - Donna Poisl

by Laura Camper/Times-Georgian

Elia Gonzalez has been in the United States for 10 years and knows enough English to get by, but she decided to enroll in classes at West Georgia Technical College because she wanted to be able to speak in English with her two sons, ages 6 and 9.

“My sons speak English,” Gonzalez said. “I can’t understand everything they say.”

So, in February, she enrolled in the English Literacy Program at WGTC, and now they all do their homework together.

“They help me,” Gonzalez said. “They tell me in English, and when I don’t know something, they show me.”
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State Department Brochure Explains Temporary Immigrant Workers' Legal Rights

State Department Brochure Explains Temporary Immigrant Workers' Legal Rights

The State Department recently announced the availability of a new brochure for individuals applying for temporary work or study visas. The brochure explains the legal rights of non-citizen workers, including worker protections and resources for victims of trafficking and other abuse. The pamphlet will be translated into ten languages and distributed to U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide. This version is only in English.

To download the pamphlet, go to this site or click on the title bar above. .
http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/Pamphlet-Printer.pdf

Immigrants become new citizens on July 4 in Portsmouth

This group of immigrants became citizens on July 4, a perfect day to become Americans. - - Donna Poisl

By GEOFF CUNNINGHAM Jr.

PORTSMOUTH — Joel Alonzo, 15 minutes after becoming a United States citizen, said he knows the opportunities his new country holds for him and what he has to offer America.

"This is my best day," the paralegal and aspiring lawyer said. "I have the chance to make a contribution to this country."

Alonzo, 43, a native of the Dominican Republic, was among about 195 immigrants who became United States citizens Saturday during a naturalization ceremony at Strawbery Banke.

The waving of American flags and tears of joy marked an event that saw families from all over the world coming together to celebrate their first Fourth of July holiday.
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For those working toward citizenship, Independence Day is extra special

These immigrants who are now citizens and many still working toward it, are all appreciating this day. - - Donna Poisl

by Paul Takahashi/The Jersey Journal

Independence Day is not just any holiday for Oneyda Lopez, who became a U.S. citizen in 2007.

"I feel this is my country now," said Lopez, who emigrated from Honduras 18 years ago and now calls Union City home. "I'm so happy. ... I love this country."

Nearly 60,000 immigrants living in New Jersey were naturalized last year, and like Lopez, they are experiencing the 4th of July this year in a whole new light. For many, this milestone not only took them miles away from their origins -- it took a lot of motivation, too.
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Guiding others on familiar path

These immigrants are studying for the citizenship test, a test that most American high school students fail. They are being taught by a woman who took and passed the same test a few years ago. - - Donna Poisl

Prospective citizens' teacher is an immigrant herself

By Leslie Berestein, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

The students taking notes in a City Heights citizenship class this week were as diverse as San Diego itself, born in countries ranging from Colombia to Vietnam.

An older woman from Lebanon, a first-time student, sat near the front. At a table in the rear, a group of African Muslim women sat facing one another, their heads covered by silky hijab.

Above the table, pinned to the wall, was a timeline of U.S. history: the start of the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, the passage of the Constitution.
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English, civics vital to America

This woman, who is half German, points out how important it is to have a common language and understand the history of this country, to be an American. - - Donna Poisl

by Lisa Farringer Parker

Recently, I returned from visiting my family in Germany and realized that the cultural gap between my German family and me is as wide as the ocean that separates us.

I am half-German. It's a concept difficult for me to grasp as I am so quintessentially American.

And yet, I am fascinated by my German heritage. My German family does not understand this. They say, "But why do you care, you are American?" And yet, that is the key to America's ability to meld people into one loose alliance of Americans: pride in our heritage. We do not become one monolithic identity when we sign on for citizenship.
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Immigrants sworn in as American citizens today at Disney

Immigrants from more than 100 countries and ages 18 to 82 are sworn in as citizens today at Disney World. - - Donna Poisl

TBO.com Staff Report

More than 1,000 immigrants were sworn in as U..S. citizens on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disney World today.

The group then attended a preview of the new show at Disney's renovated Hall of Presidents, which has been closed for eight months. The attraction officially re-opens Saturday.
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Sweet Land of . . .

Click on the title to read all these immigrants' answers to the question: What do you like about America? - - Donna Poisl

On America's Birthday, Immigrants Count Nation's Blessings -- and Theirs

By Kate Kilpatrick and Ruth McCann, Washington Post Staff Writers

What with the suffocating humidity, near-Biblical rain and dampened economic climate, there may be muted hip-hip-hurrays for the nation's birthday. But as the weekend's fireworks are cued up and patriots swarm the Mall, it's not hard to find denizens of the District who are just plain happy to be in this country.

For so many immigrants, the Fourth of July is as jubilant as the sky is spacious and the grains are amber. So to a random sampling, we posed a single question: What do you like about America?
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Rhetoric and reality on immigration

An interesting opinion, with many facts to dispell the arguments and myths.
- - Donna Poisl

by Geoffrey Scowcroft, guest opinion

As the old saying goes, "reasonable people can disagree." Let's be clear: As an immigration attorney, I have my own take on the immigration issue. But that doesn't mean that I regard those people whose views are not in sync with mine as racists or even necessarily wrong. I just ask that people on both sides of the issue get the facts straight before opining on immigration. Many of the people interviewed by Gosia Wozniacka for her article "A Tide of Anger on Immigration" (June 21) are relying on flawed data.

Those who are opposed to legalization, or for that matter immigration in general, tend to raise several issues that resonate with the general public: crime, jobs, societal costs and assimilation. Their perception is that today's immigrants increase crime, reduce the number of jobs available to American workers, drain American society of scarce resources and resist assimilation, holding onto their native tongues and cultural norms rather than succumbing to the American "melting pot." The facts reveal a very different picture.
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Kashmir Native Named Special Envoy to Muslim Community

A new position has been created by President Obama and the woman named to head the department will be working to help Muslims assimilate into American life. - - Donna Poisl

By SUNITA SOHRABJI, indiawest.com

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton June 26 announced the appointment of Kashmir native Farah Pandith to head the new Office of the United States Representative to Muslim Communities.

Pandith had previously served at the State Department as a senior adviser for outreach to the Muslim community in Europe. Her appointment was announced in an internal memo, but not publicized by the State Department until a reporter asked about it at a June 25 press briefing.

State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said at the press briefing that Pandith had been appointed by Clinton to take on “more of a global role.” Kelly could not immediately verify whether Pandith was Muslim, but the department confirmed it the following day in a press statement.
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Our Opinion -- Independence Day

These immigrant brothers are serving in Iraq and will become U.S. citizens there today. Another brother became a citizen while serving in Iraq two years ago. They have to serve and also pass the test to become citizens. - - Donna Poisl

Citizen soldiers.

From the editorial board, columnists and readers

When Victor and Miguel Mendoza take the oath of allegiance to become U.S. citizens on July Fourth, the words "support and defend" will have special meaning to them.

The brothers, Mexican immigrants who came to America in 1994, will speak that oath in Baghdad, where both are on duty fighting for their adopted nation. A third brother, Jose, served in the Iraq war, too. In what's becoming a family tradition, he became a citizen on July Fourth in Baghdad two years ago.

The Mendozas represent the best of what the nation is celebrating this Independence Day weekend — liberty, freedom and the sacrifice it takes to keep them strong. They symbolize what's right with America, a nation of immigrants that was built by opening its doors.
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Hundreds rally in Salinas for immigration reform

People in these demonstrations are hoping it is getting the message to the President and Congress to make immigration reform happen soon. - - Donna Poisl

By CLAUDIA MELÉNDEZ SALINAS, Herald Staff Writer

Julieta Reyes has a brother who fought in Vietnam. Ricarda Rodriguez became a U.S. citizen after almost a decade working in the fields. Hector Rojas was brought to this country when he was 8 years old. Leticia Garcia Romo is a third-generation American, the first one in her family to go to college.

Their stories, similar to those of millions of illegal immigrants in this country, were heard by hundreds of people gathered Wednesday at St. Mary of the Nativity Church in Salinas to garner support for reforming U.S. immigration laws.

"This reform that you are asking for reminds me of how much I suffered," said Rodriguez, who works as an educator at Escuela Libertad in Salinas.

The town hall meeting, conducted in Spanish with English translation, is similar to actions that have been taking place across the country. Some believe they are having an effect because President Barack Obama recently renewed his promise to push for comprehensive immigration reform this year.
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Immigrant High School Student Endures Detainment

This high school student was taken from his bed by ICE in a nighttime raid in April 2008. He was detained for seven months, was freed, went back to school and finally graduated. Read the whole story, an amazing young man. - - Donna Poisl

HELEN O'NEILL, AP Special Correspondent

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) ― He was born on the Fourth of July, an irony he would only appreciate later, during the dark period of his life, when liberty and freedom became far more than mere words in his high school history book.

Daniel Guadron has been fighting the odds all his young life, mostly as a happy warrior, winning admirers and supporters at every turn.

It's not just that he excelled in school: The straight-A student mastered English within months of emigrating from Guatemala at 13, then mastered French. He's aced every math test he has ever taken.
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Recession hits immigrant business

Businesses owned by immigrants are very hard hit by the recession, since most of their customers are also immigrants. Many of them are out of work, especially the construction workers. - - Donna Poisl

By Jeremy Schwartz, AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Evelia Arrellano surveys the empty barber chairs with a worried look. It's 1 p.m. on a recent weekday, and she has yet to see a client at her salon, which also sells phone cards, compact discs and sodas to a cluster of mostly Mexican immigrants in the St. Johns neighborhood in North Austin.

She traces her salon's woes to hard times among Austin's immigrant workers, especially those in the hard-hit construction industry. "If they don't work, we don't work either," she said. "Things are getting worse. It's disillusioning. They say the economy is getting better, but it's not true."

Arrellano is feeling the effects of a recession that is hitting Austin businesses that cater to immigrants with a pronounced fury, according to interviews with more than a dozen managers, cashiers and business owners. With construction jobs dwindling, money is no longer flowing freely through Austin's immigrant community, hurting the many businesses selling Norteño records, phone cards, boots, groceries and other goods.
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Walter Ewing: Immigrants are not a fiscal drain

Mr. Ewing gives many statistics and shows that immigrants, and even undocumented immigrants, are not hurting our economy. - - Donna Poisl

By Walter Ewing, Special to The Bee

As state and local governments grapple with budget deficits brought on by the economic recession, some are blaming immigrants – particularly undocumented immigrants. According to this flawed reasoning, if the tax contributions of immigrants in general, or undocumented immigrants in particular, don't cover the costs of the public services they utilize in a single year, then immigrants must be a financial "burden" on the majority of taxpayers.

However, by this measure, nearly all native-born children, retirees and unemployed workers also qualify as economic "burdens." A realistic accounting of the economic "value" of a person must include the contributions made over a lifetime as a worker, consumer and taxpayer.
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