A center has opened in Michigan for businesses to access all the federal government programs and information to enable them to be more successful. Economic recovery depends on small business, many of which are owned by immigrants. - - Donna Poisl
Locke touts opening of business center
BY NIRAJ WARIKOO and KATHLEEN GRAY, FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS
Speaking in Dearborn on Tuesday to about 60 Arab-American and religious leaders, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said that metro Detroiters with roots in the Middle East can help grow the economy but sometimes face problems with discrimination.
Drawing upon his experiences as the son of Chinese immigrants, Locke said, "We are all immigrants except for the Native Americans ... America owes a great debt to Arab-Americans and people of the Islamic faith."
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Friday, October 09, 2009
What should immigrants do when they get here?
This OpEd piece has compiled figures from the Census telling how immigrants are assimilating compared to how they did 100 years ago. Very interesting. - - Donna Poisl
By: Jacob L. Vigdor, OpEd Contributor
Immigration has temporarily faded as a hot-button issue, for the moment overshadowed by health care reform (not to mention foreign affairs). Expect it to return to attention, however--not least because of the scale of our current immigrant population.
There continue to be more foreign-born American residents (almost 40 million) than at any time in our history (almost three times the previous peak in 1920). That's raised understandable concerns not only about border control--with perhaps as many as a third of these immigrants in the country illegally--but about the extent to which new immigrants are following in the footsteps of their predecessors and assimilating into American culture--learning English, becoming citizens, moving up the economic ladder.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
By: Jacob L. Vigdor, OpEd Contributor
Immigration has temporarily faded as a hot-button issue, for the moment overshadowed by health care reform (not to mention foreign affairs). Expect it to return to attention, however--not least because of the scale of our current immigrant population.
There continue to be more foreign-born American residents (almost 40 million) than at any time in our history (almost three times the previous peak in 1920). That's raised understandable concerns not only about border control--with perhaps as many as a third of these immigrants in the country illegally--but about the extent to which new immigrants are following in the footsteps of their predecessors and assimilating into American culture--learning English, becoming citizens, moving up the economic ladder.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Economics of undocumented immigrants: Myth and reality - Feature
Successful, hard-working immigrants are rarely talked about in the immigration debate, but they should be. This is what most of the recent immigrants will become in a few years and we need them. - - Donna Poisl
By : dpa
San Francisco - Alfredo Flores crossed the border 12 years ago from Mexico to the United States with two clear missions on his path to success. First he bought forged identity papers that enabled him to get a job.
Then he sat for hours in front of the television, watching old movies and soap operas to teach himself English.
Now Flores provides a valuable service to the local economy in Minneapolis, Minnesota, running his own car repair shop and employing several mechanics. Living the same American dream as previous generations of immigrants, he owns a 350,000-dollar house with a white-picket fence.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
By : dpa
San Francisco - Alfredo Flores crossed the border 12 years ago from Mexico to the United States with two clear missions on his path to success. First he bought forged identity papers that enabled him to get a job.
Then he sat for hours in front of the television, watching old movies and soap operas to teach himself English.
Now Flores provides a valuable service to the local economy in Minneapolis, Minnesota, running his own car repair shop and employing several mechanics. Living the same American dream as previous generations of immigrants, he owns a 350,000-dollar house with a white-picket fence.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
NYC Chinatown could get 1st Chinese rep on council
This is good, immigrants are getting more active in their local politics. One of the biggest Chinese communities in the U.S. will finally have an elected representative. - - Donna Poisl
By SARA KUGLER (AP)
NEW YORK — Chinatown is likely to get its first Chinese-American representative on the City Council, and a Taiwanese immigrant is headed for citywide office — a dramatic change for the nation's largest city, which had no Asian-Americans in elected office just eight years ago.
For the first time in its 150 years, the downtown Manhattan neighborhood, which is one of the biggest Chinese communities outside Asia, could be represented by a Chinese-American.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
By SARA KUGLER (AP)
NEW YORK — Chinatown is likely to get its first Chinese-American representative on the City Council, and a Taiwanese immigrant is headed for citywide office — a dramatic change for the nation's largest city, which had no Asian-Americans in elected office just eight years ago.
For the first time in its 150 years, the downtown Manhattan neighborhood, which is one of the biggest Chinese communities outside Asia, could be represented by a Chinese-American.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Reach out to struggling child refugees and immigrants
A very thoughtful piece by a former refugee, telling us how we can all help refugees and immigrants avoid gangs so they don't go down the wrong path and harm themselves and others -- and us. - - Donna Poisl
Society's challenge of helping young people avoid gangs and other violence extends to the young people of refugee and immigrant communities, writes guest columnist Ahmed Dahir.
By Ahmed Dahir, Special to The Times
AS a member of the Somali community in Seattle, I was shocked and terrified when I heard that the suicide attack against the peacekeeper's compound in Mogadishu was carried out by a Somali American with ties to Seattle. The suspect's father was quoted saying "He's very sorry about the tragedy" and "ashamed of the whole thing." These feelings are shared by Seattle's Somali community.
There is no question that we all reject and condemn any terrorist act or tendencies. At the same time, I also want to shine a spotlight on another face of this tragedy.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Society's challenge of helping young people avoid gangs and other violence extends to the young people of refugee and immigrant communities, writes guest columnist Ahmed Dahir.
By Ahmed Dahir, Special to The Times
AS a member of the Somali community in Seattle, I was shocked and terrified when I heard that the suicide attack against the peacekeeper's compound in Mogadishu was carried out by a Somali American with ties to Seattle. The suspect's father was quoted saying "He's very sorry about the tragedy" and "ashamed of the whole thing." These feelings are shared by Seattle's Somali community.
There is no question that we all reject and condemn any terrorist act or tendencies. At the same time, I also want to shine a spotlight on another face of this tragedy.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Activist: Criminals prey on immigrants' fear of law enforcement
Immigrants are often targeted by criminals because of their fears and limited English. Neighbors can help and watch out for them until they are more comfortable. - - Donna Poisl
By Trang Do -
ALBERTVILLE, AL (WAFF) - One working theory is that Maria Gurrolla may have been targeted because of her Hispanic heritage and limited English.
Investigators said Tammy Silas was able to get Gurrolla to open the door to her home because she identified herself as an immigration agent.
WAFF 48 News spoke to a community activist about crimes targeting immigrants.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
By Trang Do -
ALBERTVILLE, AL (WAFF) - One working theory is that Maria Gurrolla may have been targeted because of her Hispanic heritage and limited English.
Investigators said Tammy Silas was able to get Gurrolla to open the door to her home because she identified herself as an immigration agent.
WAFF 48 News spoke to a community activist about crimes targeting immigrants.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Navarrette: Civic rules shouldn't be just for immigrants
Last week, Ruben Navarrette listed 10 rules for immigrants to follow. Click on the headline and see the 10 rules he lists for the rest of us to follow. - - Donna Poisl
By Ruben Navarrette Jr.
There was a huge response to a column listing 10 ways for immigrants — especially those from Mexico and Latin America — to improve their relationship with the United States. The feedback was about 95 percent positive. That was true even among self-identified Latinos, both immigrants and the native-born.
But by far the most interesting reaction was from dozens of readers who suggested that the advice — don't feel entitled, don't play the victim, stress the value of education, etc. — should not be limited to immigrants. The sermon, they said, should also be aimed at Americans, too many of whom have grown soft and have shed the values of their immigrant ancestors.
Great idea. I have no problem criticizing my own tribe — my fellow native-born Americans. After all, it's the cohort I know best. Besides, the criticisms apply to me too. There are plenty of things I could learn from my Mexican immigrant grandfather, if only he were here to teach me.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
By Ruben Navarrette Jr.
There was a huge response to a column listing 10 ways for immigrants — especially those from Mexico and Latin America — to improve their relationship with the United States. The feedback was about 95 percent positive. That was true even among self-identified Latinos, both immigrants and the native-born.
But by far the most interesting reaction was from dozens of readers who suggested that the advice — don't feel entitled, don't play the victim, stress the value of education, etc. — should not be limited to immigrants. The sermon, they said, should also be aimed at Americans, too many of whom have grown soft and have shed the values of their immigrant ancestors.
Great idea. I have no problem criticizing my own tribe — my fellow native-born Americans. After all, it's the cohort I know best. Besides, the criticisms apply to me too. There are plenty of things I could learn from my Mexican immigrant grandfather, if only he were here to teach me.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Immigration plan should draw crowd
An important meeting Monday will have many people watching. The law being discussed concerns undocumented juveniles accused of crimes. - - Donna Poisl
by Marisa Lagos
The never-ending immigration debate will rear its head again in San Francisco Monday when a Board of Supervisors committee takes up a controversial proposal that would make it tougher for local police to hand over undocumented juveniles accused of crimes to federal authorities.
The meeting is expected to draw a large crowd supporting the proposed law (we're not sure whether the opposition has organized to come out as well - all public speakers will be allowed two minutes to tell the committee how they feel).
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
by Marisa Lagos
The never-ending immigration debate will rear its head again in San Francisco Monday when a Board of Supervisors committee takes up a controversial proposal that would make it tougher for local police to hand over undocumented juveniles accused of crimes to federal authorities.
The meeting is expected to draw a large crowd supporting the proposed law (we're not sure whether the opposition has organized to come out as well - all public speakers will be allowed two minutes to tell the committee how they feel).
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Reform Immigration FOR America news
sent by Rich Stolz, ReformImmigrationFORAmerica.org
Campaign Update: Immigration, Health Care and Veterans
The Reform Immigration FOR America Campaign has its eyes set on the week of October 13 as thousands of grassroots leaders gather in Washington, DC and other communities across the country calling for comprehensive immigration reform in the name of family unity and faith. Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and congressional allies are now preparing principles for legislation that will help turn the dreams of millions into reality. The urgency of this moment builds everyday. For more information on how you can get involved in the events of October 13th, please contact Nora Feely at nfeely@immigrationforum.org.
Health Care Reform Updates:
This week, the Senate Finance Committee rejected a number of anti-immigrant amendments to its health care reform proposal, including measures that would have created strict identification requirements and barred legal immigrant access. This outcome would not have been possible were it not for the thousands of phone calls that community leaders generated into Senate Finance Committee Members over the last two weeks. At this time, the committee is likely to complete consideration of its bill next week, and we'll have our work cut out for us to make sure the bill that gets brought to the Senate floor and voted on by the full Senate will do right by immigrants and citizens alike.
Other Important News:
This week, Arlington County, VA adopted a resolution in support of comprehensive immigration reform. To see the resolution that the county will send to its congressional delegation and to the President, click here.
Also this week, a broad coalition of national and local community groups called Ya Es Hora announced the launch of a campaign to ensure that Latinos are counted in the census and incorporated fully into the American political process.
Last week the Rights Working Group and the American Friends Service Committee released an organizational sign-on letter addressed to Senator Schumer, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Immigrant Sub-committee. Outlined in the letter are "Principles for Immigration Policies that Protect Community Rights." Please take a moment to sign on to this letter. To do so, please contact Pabitra Benjamin at pbenjamin@rightsworkinggroup.org or Christian Ramirez at cramirez@afsc.org.
On October 9th, Brave New Foundation will release an on-line video highlighting the stories of two veterans whose families are being torn apart by the immigration system. The preview to the video that highlights immigration issues is called "Second Battle" and can be viewed here. The tag line: "Second Battle is about the wives of two US service members who cannot stay in the country their husbands proudly served - and in one case died for." Here is the trailer: In Their Boots: Second Battle.
-- Rich Stolz, ReformImmigrationFORAmerica.org
Campaign Update: Immigration, Health Care and Veterans
The Reform Immigration FOR America Campaign has its eyes set on the week of October 13 as thousands of grassroots leaders gather in Washington, DC and other communities across the country calling for comprehensive immigration reform in the name of family unity and faith. Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and congressional allies are now preparing principles for legislation that will help turn the dreams of millions into reality. The urgency of this moment builds everyday. For more information on how you can get involved in the events of October 13th, please contact Nora Feely at nfeely@immigrationforum.org.
Health Care Reform Updates:
This week, the Senate Finance Committee rejected a number of anti-immigrant amendments to its health care reform proposal, including measures that would have created strict identification requirements and barred legal immigrant access. This outcome would not have been possible were it not for the thousands of phone calls that community leaders generated into Senate Finance Committee Members over the last two weeks. At this time, the committee is likely to complete consideration of its bill next week, and we'll have our work cut out for us to make sure the bill that gets brought to the Senate floor and voted on by the full Senate will do right by immigrants and citizens alike.
Other Important News:
This week, Arlington County, VA adopted a resolution in support of comprehensive immigration reform. To see the resolution that the county will send to its congressional delegation and to the President, click here.
Also this week, a broad coalition of national and local community groups called Ya Es Hora announced the launch of a campaign to ensure that Latinos are counted in the census and incorporated fully into the American political process.
Last week the Rights Working Group and the American Friends Service Committee released an organizational sign-on letter addressed to Senator Schumer, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Immigrant Sub-committee. Outlined in the letter are "Principles for Immigration Policies that Protect Community Rights." Please take a moment to sign on to this letter. To do so, please contact Pabitra Benjamin at pbenjamin@rightsworkinggroup.org or Christian Ramirez at cramirez@afsc.org.
On October 9th, Brave New Foundation will release an on-line video highlighting the stories of two veterans whose families are being torn apart by the immigration system. The preview to the video that highlights immigration issues is called "Second Battle" and can be viewed here. The tag line: "Second Battle is about the wives of two US service members who cannot stay in the country their husbands proudly served - and in one case died for." Here is the trailer: In Their Boots: Second Battle.
-- Rich Stolz, ReformImmigrationFORAmerica.org
U.S. immigration agency girds for workload spike
USCIS is getting ready for an increase in their workload, when immigration reform is enacted. They have to clear up the present backlog first though. - - Donna Poisl
Posted by: Tim Gaynor
The U.S. government agency in charge of processing naturalization and residency applications is preparing for a surge in its workload if President Barack Obama pushes ahead with federal immigration reform next year granting millions of undocumented workers legal status.
A spokesman for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services said the agency is gearing up to handle the huge increase in applications expected if immigration reform is passed by the U.S. Congress.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Posted by: Tim Gaynor
The U.S. government agency in charge of processing naturalization and residency applications is preparing for a surge in its workload if President Barack Obama pushes ahead with federal immigration reform next year granting millions of undocumented workers legal status.
A spokesman for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services said the agency is gearing up to handle the huge increase in applications expected if immigration reform is passed by the U.S. Congress.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
New Americans: 245 Persons Take Oath At NPAC
These new citizens are told how important it is to be a responsible citizen. They came from 72 countries, all with the same goal. - - Donna Poisl
Responsibilities Of Citizenship Stressed During The Happy Event
BY BILL JONES, STAFF WRITER
Two-hundred-forty-five people from 72 countries became U.S. citizens Wednesday at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.
U.S. District Judge J. Ronnie Greer, who presided during the 10 a.m. ceremony, approved a government motion to confer citizenship on the assembled candidates after first stressing that with the rights of citizenship come responsibilities.
"Ladies and gentlemen, citizenship has long been among the most important privileges this nation can bestow," the judge said in noting that the prospective citizens were about to take the "final step" in the citizenship process.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Responsibilities Of Citizenship Stressed During The Happy Event
BY BILL JONES, STAFF WRITER
Two-hundred-forty-five people from 72 countries became U.S. citizens Wednesday at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.
U.S. District Judge J. Ronnie Greer, who presided during the 10 a.m. ceremony, approved a government motion to confer citizenship on the assembled candidates after first stressing that with the rights of citizenship come responsibilities.
"Ladies and gentlemen, citizenship has long been among the most important privileges this nation can bestow," the judge said in noting that the prospective citizens were about to take the "final step" in the citizenship process.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Nepal exit becomes city school entry
Almost 30 students from refugee camps in Nepal are settling into life and school in Chicago. A huge change from the life they had before, they are being helped by teachers and an organization that assists refugees. - - Donna Poisl
Rejected by Bhutan and Nepal, refugees come to Chicago with help from Heartland Alliance
By Pam DeFiglio, Special to the Tribune
For the first time in her life, Laxmi Biswakarma, 17, is going to a school that has electricity, heat, running water and food at lunch time.
In June, Biswakarma left her remote Bhutanese refugee camp in Nepal and along with her parents and 8-year-old sister took her first plane ride -- to a new life in Chicago. That life began in earnest last month when she entered Sullivan High School in Rogers Park, traditionally a gateway for immigrants.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Rejected by Bhutan and Nepal, refugees come to Chicago with help from Heartland Alliance
By Pam DeFiglio, Special to the Tribune
For the first time in her life, Laxmi Biswakarma, 17, is going to a school that has electricity, heat, running water and food at lunch time.
In June, Biswakarma left her remote Bhutanese refugee camp in Nepal and along with her parents and 8-year-old sister took her first plane ride -- to a new life in Chicago. That life began in earnest last month when she entered Sullivan High School in Rogers Park, traditionally a gateway for immigrants.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Hispanic immigrants retain pride in heritage
Dozens of countries come under the Hispanic label, not just Mexico. National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrating all of them and their cultures. - - Donna Poisl
JUAN ANTONIO LIZAMA, TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Paulita Matheny, a native of Bolivia, lost her job as a prominent attorney, her social life and her maids when she married and moved to Hanover County eight years ago.
More significant, in the eyes of many, was that she lost her Bolivian identity when she fell under the "Hispanic" label used by the federal government since the 1970 census.
But that designation barely begins to define a group that comes from dozens of countries, cultures and backgrounds.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
JUAN ANTONIO LIZAMA, TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Paulita Matheny, a native of Bolivia, lost her job as a prominent attorney, her social life and her maids when she married and moved to Hanover County eight years ago.
More significant, in the eyes of many, was that she lost her Bolivian identity when she fell under the "Hispanic" label used by the federal government since the 1970 census.
But that designation barely begins to define a group that comes from dozens of countries, cultures and backgrounds.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Census Gets Some Latino Help and Needs It
Many groups are trying to convince Latinos to be counted in the Census and explain how important it is. Others are telling them to boycott the count to protest the lack of immigration reform. It seems to me that a boycott would be self defeating. - - Donna Poisl
By Carol Morello, Washington Post Staff Writer
The census can be a hard sell in some Hispanic communities.
Fears that the information illegal immigrants give to the census could lead to their deportation is partly responsible for Latinos being under-counted in the 2000 Census by an estimated 3 percent.
A host of Latino organizations are telling people that the census will help their communities get more federal funds, could help them put more Latinos in elective office and could also help them gain more say on immigration laws.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
By Carol Morello, Washington Post Staff Writer
The census can be a hard sell in some Hispanic communities.
Fears that the information illegal immigrants give to the census could lead to their deportation is partly responsible for Latinos being under-counted in the 2000 Census by an estimated 3 percent.
A host of Latino organizations are telling people that the census will help their communities get more federal funds, could help them put more Latinos in elective office and could also help them gain more say on immigration laws.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Learning English A Family Affair
Parents learn English and their children get help with their school courses. This is especially helpful to the high school kids, they fall behind quicker than the younger kids do. - - Donna Poisl
Reported by: Geraldine Cols
JEFFERSON CITY - As our Hispanic Heritage Month series continues, KOMU 8's Geraldine Cols shows that learning a new language can be a family affair.
Veronica, Jessica, Jose Alfredo and Josue are all Hispanic immigrants attending Jefferson City High School. They are part of 71.5 percent of Hispanic students in the English Language Learning program.
"I teach them language skills, I teach them cultural differences and try to shed some light in that," said ELL teacher Melanie Fraga. "But I am also a resource teacher for their other courses."
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Reported by: Geraldine Cols
JEFFERSON CITY - As our Hispanic Heritage Month series continues, KOMU 8's Geraldine Cols shows that learning a new language can be a family affair.
Veronica, Jessica, Jose Alfredo and Josue are all Hispanic immigrants attending Jefferson City High School. They are part of 71.5 percent of Hispanic students in the English Language Learning program.
"I teach them language skills, I teach them cultural differences and try to shed some light in that," said ELL teacher Melanie Fraga. "But I am also a resource teacher for their other courses."
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Immigrants learn English at downtown church
Immigrants and refugees from many countries are all together learning English, the first thing they need to succeed here. - - Donna Poisl
By Marc Katz, Staff Writer
DAYTON — Inside downtown’s St. John’s Church, refugees and immigrants greet each other in their native tongues, then sit down in various classrooms to learn English.
The attention spans are long; the faces serious.
“I like people,” said Khedidja Bensmail of Algeria, who has been here five years and lives with her family in Kettering. “I like Americans. This is the best life for my kids.”
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
By Marc Katz, Staff Writer
DAYTON — Inside downtown’s St. John’s Church, refugees and immigrants greet each other in their native tongues, then sit down in various classrooms to learn English.
The attention spans are long; the faces serious.
“I like people,” said Khedidja Bensmail of Algeria, who has been here five years and lives with her family in Kettering. “I like Americans. This is the best life for my kids.”
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Museums take on immigration debate with exhibits
Many museums across the country are highlighting immigration exhibits, hoping it will help in the immigration debate. This country was built by immigrants, this should be a good reminder. - - Donna Poisl
By SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press Writer
CHICAGO - With little progress on Immigration reform among lawmakers, the nationwide debate has entered a new space: museums. A network of U.S. museums launched a program Wednesday in Chicago that aims to grapple with tough questions on Immigration, including who should have access to health care, how borders should be controlled, and issues of citizenship and identity.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
By SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press Writer
CHICAGO - With little progress on Immigration reform among lawmakers, the nationwide debate has entered a new space: museums. A network of U.S. museums launched a program Wednesday in Chicago that aims to grapple with tough questions on Immigration, including who should have access to health care, how borders should be controlled, and issues of citizenship and identity.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
Groups Seek Better Count of Hispanics
Hispanics need to be counted in the Census, yet are very reluctant. These groups are working together to get a better count this time. - - Donna Poisl
By MIRIAM JORDAN
A coalition of Latino groups backed by the Census Bureau will launch a campaign Thursday to pull off an elusive feat: getting an accurate count of Hispanics in the U.S.
The Hispanic population has exploded since the 2000 census, growing 33% to an estimated 47 million. But it is also one of the hardest groups to track.
Hundreds of thousands of Hispanics are migratory workers. Several million are in the country illegally and reluctant to fill out official forms. Language barriers persist, and the foreclosure crisis has left many Hispanic families without a mailing address.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
By MIRIAM JORDAN
A coalition of Latino groups backed by the Census Bureau will launch a campaign Thursday to pull off an elusive feat: getting an accurate count of Hispanics in the U.S.
The Hispanic population has exploded since the 2000 census, growing 33% to an estimated 47 million. But it is also one of the hardest groups to track.
Hundreds of thousands of Hispanics are migratory workers. Several million are in the country illegally and reluctant to fill out official forms. Language barriers persist, and the foreclosure crisis has left many Hispanic families without a mailing address.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
New Website for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Newly redesigned website of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) was unveiled 22 September. It is in both English and Spanish. The website lets citizenship applicants check their case status and receive alerts in email or text messages when their case status changes.
Check it out, there is information there about laws, green cards, adoption, military, visiting and much more.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/sep/29/teaching-basics/
Check it out, there is information there about laws, green cards, adoption, military, visiting and much more.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/sep/29/teaching-basics/
Schools give Spanish-speaking adults primer in own language first
These adult schools make sure Hispanic students are literate in Spanish before teaching English to them. They find that they learn English much easier this way. - - Donna Poisl
By Timothy Pratt
Hector Godoy stands in the rear of a trailer converted into a classroom, drawing lines on a board between the letter “p” and each of the five vowels.
He asks one of his 13 students, Maricela Bolaños, to sound out a series of words using those letters. Bolaños is learning to read and write, in Spanish, at 53 years old.
Her class is a “plaza comunitaria,” a program within the division of the Clark County School District that is aimed at teaching English to adults. The plaza’s unlikely home in that division stems from a discovery academics made earlier this decade: If Hispanic immigrants are to learn to read and write English, they must first be literate in their native language.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
By Timothy Pratt
Hector Godoy stands in the rear of a trailer converted into a classroom, drawing lines on a board between the letter “p” and each of the five vowels.
He asks one of his 13 students, Maricela Bolaños, to sound out a series of words using those letters. Bolaños is learning to read and write, in Spanish, at 53 years old.
Her class is a “plaza comunitaria,” a program within the division of the Clark County School District that is aimed at teaching English to adults. The plaza’s unlikely home in that division stems from a discovery academics made earlier this decade: If Hispanic immigrants are to learn to read and write English, they must first be literate in their native language.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
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