Undocumented: Taken Advantage of No More

Throughout the process of writing my blog, I have tried to bring to the forefront some of the dilemmas Latinos are forced to cope with in the United States. This post will be no different. The issue of immigration alone is a highly contested subject; when you add a sinking economy to the mix, it becomes more than just a Monday morning conversation around the water cooler. Due to our economic downturn, people’s patience and rationality have seemed to lesson. As a result, socieites mentality has evolved into “us against them.” Immigrants are viewed as the “other,” and sometimes even seen as insignificant. Citizens already face financial burdens that they can’t possibly meet with the current state of the job market, and things don't seem to be getting better with the currrent state of things. Americans seem to have the notion that immigrants (legal and illegal) are here to not only steal their jobs, but to also lower wages for everyone involved. Somehow, “illegals” are to blame for everything that is wrong with America, including crime and our current economic troubles. This debate is heated, and while advocates are pushing for legislation that protects civil rights for everyone including immigrants, opponents instead argue that America needs to take care of their own. Here I have commented on two posts, “Immigrant Worker’s win Back Pay” by Susan Ferriss of the Sacramento Bee and “Trade off on Immigration Reform” by the news report staff from New America Media. Both posts involve undocumented immigrants and legislation that could be useful in reducing obstacles that they face. New laws are needed to increase the assurance that civil rights are not being withheld simply because of someone’s citizenship status. These posts argue for immigration reform from slightly different standpoints, nevertheless they are both effective arguments. My comments in response can be read either by clicking on the links to the actual websites or by viewing them below.

“Immigrant Worker’s Win Back Pay”
Comment

Thank you for your eye opening post on the situation that thousands of immigrant Latino construction workers were dealing with along the Central Coast, Central Valley, and here in Southern California. I am appalled at the fact that laborers attempted to earn an honest day’s work, while employers decided to treat them as slaves, withholding their pay and at the same time committing labor violations that in turn violated their civil rights. The fact that workers initiated the whole investigation into the wrongdoing by their employers speaks volumes to the will and determination that these people had. Because of them, 3100 workers (see right) will benefit from over 8.5 million dollars in back pay. Gladys Limon of the Mexican American Legal defense and Educational Fund’s office in Los Angeles stated, “We hope that this sends a strong message that all workers have rights”. Although this may have been one of the single biggest class-action law suits in California’s history, it by no means is the first and probably not the last. Another law suit that has brought attention to the ordeal that immigrants face was the decision handed down by a Superior Court judge, awarding nearly 1.28 million dollars in settlement money for dairy workers in Central Valley. Personally, I am glad that the law is being enforced regardless of legal status of the person. This sentiment was repeated by an unlikely source, from Minuteman Project leader Jim Gilchrist who said, “The Lawyers are doing the right thing going after these slave-trading employers”. Even though he feels adamant about the deportation of illegal immigrants, he stills sees the need to uphold the law. Although laws do exist that protect the civil rights of all workers, many are rendered helpless. They fear deportation more than the violations that they endure. Employers have this knowledge and use it to their advantage; they keep exploiting the workers and often use their illegal status against them. They are constantly threatened with being reported to the authorities and the eventual deportation. You have a wonderful blog that has current information regarding immigration issues, while having vital links that can inform the public on what to do in order to get involved. I have only one question, what do you think is the solution to this problem? Do we continue try and chase down the perpetrators, or do we allow more immigrants legal status to curtail the exploitation by employers?

“Trade-Off” on Immigration Reform
Comment

Thank you for your informative post regarding the proposed legalization of millions of undocumented workers (see left). The proposal seems easy enough, set in motion a path to make it more attainable for immigrants to become citizens. This initiative would reduce the number of temporary foreign workers and allow more undocumented workers to remain in the United States as nationalized citizens. In this “trade-off” organized labor wins, but businesses that depend on temporary labor would suffer. This is would not be the only problem; you would also be alienating the American worker. If you bring in millions of undocumented people and make them citizens, they are now competing for the same number of jobs with twice the amount of people. The economy is bad and unemployment is on the rise, which are factors as to why legislation like this just stalls in congress. Despite the before mentioned, there is hope. The fact of the matter is that the Democrats now have more power in Washington and this could be a sign of good things to come. Along with renewed enthusiasm, advocates are hopeful that they will now be able to win support from the AFL-CIO (initially opposed such legislation), and get this put on a ballot and passed. Ali Noorani, director of the new national Immigration Forum, was quoted as saying, “Last time the coalition was not quite as solid as we would have hoped”, and he believes that this was the reason for the defeat the first time around. Things have now changed, and he believes that it is a whole new ballgame, Ana Avendano shares his optimism, she sees a “sea change” on the horizon and attributes it to the economy and the Democrats’ numbers in the white house. Although president Obama had promised to promote immigration reform, he has yet to act on it. Advocates for this proposition plan to use 18 million dollars to promote their cause and at the same time remind Democrats that the Latino population helped elect a Democratic president in 2008. U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez said it best when, “And our communities expect you (the president) to take time out for our issues”. I have a couple of questions for you: Do you think it is fair to put laborers on the “fast track” to citizenship when some people have been waiting for a number of years? Do you believe that legislation calling for the immediate naturalization of millions of immigrants will pass?

Ethnic Enclaves: Instrumental or Detrimental?

As immigration to the United States increases in the 21st century, immigrants (legal and illegal) arriving in America face many obstacles when transitioning into the American way of life. Because of the current economic crisis, unemployment rates have risen for immigrants from 4.7% to its new high of 7.3% in 2008. Although unemployment is an obstacle, they face issues such as ethnic prejudice, the constant fear of deportation, and wage discrimination. The latter, is an important indicator as to where these people will live. Due to the fact that most immigrants come to this country seeking financial stability, they are limited in the prospects from which to choose from when dealing with housing accommodations. Low-wage employment keeps Latinos from making independent decisions and forces them to make the choice less choice to live in ethnic enclaves. Ethnic enclaves become the final destination for most immigrants. These communities are close-knit and they also work as support groups for those that are new to this country. They are spiritual, socially, and economically motivated in helping the surrounding communities. Ethnic enclaves work not only as a security blanket for most, but they also work against the community and shield them from progressing. Assimilating and or integrating into America culture becomes that much harder. While some see ethnic enclaves as a positive transitional phase, opponents argue that ethnic enclaves limit immigrants both socially and occupationally. They are trapped and segregated in these societies, leaving them to stay in what once was considered a transition into American society. Integration and assimilation is the movement of an incoming group away from segregated immigrant communities into the residential areas of the dominant group, a pattern that has received much attention in recent demographic analysis. Due to influx of immigrants to the U.S. over the last fifty years; the issue of residential integration has become a heated topic. In America, Mexican-American immigrants show signs of successful and unsuccessful residential integration because they choose to live in ethnic enclaves. So while some argue that the decision to live in ethnic enclaves are economically based, others would have you believe that is is strictly a personal choice. Although ethnic enclaves can be a positive transition into American life, they become less productive when they are used as permanent living arrangements as opposed to a transitional phase.

Because there is sufficient research and literature on the living arrangements and assimilation of Mexican-American immigrants, we are able to track these ethnic enclaves in Los Angeles and its connection to social and cultural assimilation. Mexican immigrants reside in these communities because they want to feel more comfortable and build long lasting social ties. Many enclaves provide the resources and support necessary for successful transitions into American society. These enclaves are called “zones of transition, in that newcomers use the established ethnic networks in their adjustment to the new society. Residents of the neighborhood form close relationships with the “newcomers” which in turn makes them feel welcomed and appreciated. This provides the residents with opportunities for networking and better employment positions. There are also other benefits of these enclaves, such as the fact that they help Mexican immigrants become part of the new community and economy. In short, these types of communities provide a beneficial and facilitating transition for immigrants arriving to the U.S.
There is a drawback, because of the lack of residential integration most immigrants fail to experience cultural and social awareness. Due to the fact that these societies have large portions of its inhabitants that are immigrants there is a certain amount of outside discrimination. When growing up under these conditions, this may trigger a reactive process, where parental culture becomes a symbol of pride against external threats. When there is little and or no contact with the cultural outside their realm, these ethnic residential boundaries prevents immigrants and their children from becoming acculturated and accustomed to basic American culture. All of this usually leads to the formation of an oppositional culture, developing a deep sense of pride and preference to their own nationality. This makes them more likely to also “stick to their own kind”.

Furthermore, ethnic concentration in certain neighborhoods causes a lack of social interaction which breeds hostility and social resistance from the dominant group. These clearly segregated residential boundaries yield detrimental effects for social relations between those living in and outside of the enclave. Ethnic enclaves limit access between members of different groups, thereby discouraging social contact. This all leads to both physical distance and social isolation. This failure to residentially and socially assimilate leads to hostile reactions from the dominant society. Immigrant enclaves thus increase the permanence of minority groups, which in turn, gives rise to social psychological reactions on the part of the dominant groups. The dominant group my now feel threatened because of the great concentration of the racial groups. Consequently, the ignorance and funneled vision of the dominant members of society will cause them to discriminate against Mexicans and not welcome social integration. Research literature has also been conducted on racial conflicts in the U.S. Here, there also exist a lack of social interaction; they are instances of in your face discrimination. They can no longer be viewed as aberrations or isolated incidents, but rather are indications of unresolved racial issues in the community and society as a whole. Thus, Los Angeles only serves as a small context in observing this world-wide problem of racial tension and cultural ignorance. Because of the before mentioned, greater alienation and isolation are constant dilemmas that people of ethnicity face. These are all issues that immigrants face when coming to the “land of opportunity”. One such issue is, “sociocultural alienation” this can explain some of the behavior and decision making process that leads to segregation by the immigrants.

Alongside the discussion of social estrangement in these small communities, the sense of belonging to a greater good always comes into play. A person’s relationship to people around them also determines his or her level of social integration in the world around them. The degree in which all people impact these immigrants determines the feeling of acceptance, support and encouragement that will be needed to bring about the feeling of belonging. Therefore, the more social interaction exists between immigrants and the people outside their own confined society, the more likely it is that they will feel supported and will remain here in the United States. However, this social interaction is not just limited to those in their nucleus of people around them but to the general population. Should immigrants feel welcomed and accepted, whether it is by peers, people around their community and or the world at large? In the end it is important that they are integrated into this culture because it is important that they feel well welcomed into this society despite of the fact that they are immigrants. Ethnic subculture is needed since it is much more difficult for a minority to feel accepted by the larger campus community. Thus, enclaves that are in Los Angeles and for that matter anywhere in the U.S., are necessary means for social interaction among humans as a whole. We must all want to promote a cultural involvement while promoting a cultural involvement and a strong support group. These resources enable ethnic people, specifically Latinos, to feel more comfortable in new surroundings, and in the end this makes immigrants more successful and better equipped to take on the world.

Collegiate Education: Undocumented Dreams

The importance of education from a four year institution can never be underestimated. I can't imagine where I would be if the opportunity to pursue higher learning at a university, specifically, the University of Southern California wasn't available. Once I graduate, the doors that will be opened to me because I have earned a college degree will be limitless. With the economy in its present state, and the job market being as competitive as it ever has been, I am comforted because I will be armed with a bachelor's degree that will make it easier to find a career. The friendships and professional relationships I establish in college will help me to step into a career and not some job that pays me minimum wage, or worse, a job I hate. The possibility to pursue the “American Dream” is what every citizen and non-citizen strives for. Even though I am not a citizen of the United States, I do have legal residency to work, live, and pursue an education. I have lived in America for the last twenty one years and I do not know of any other home. Because I come from an improvished background, I was compelled to apply for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA). Without financial assistance, there is no way I would have been able to afford to attend any university, yet alone a private one. The grants that I have been fortunate enough to receive through the school and government agencies have made it possible to follow my dream. This being said, I must speak about the requirements when applying for Federal financial aid. The government mandates that you have some form of legal residency in the U.S. Without any proper documentation, there is no financial assistance, and here is where the problems lies. Many undocumented students are attending and graduating high schools all across America but because they hold no legal residency in the United States, they have no real prospects of ever attending four year institutions. As the law-school bound writer of "Round-up..." put it, "We are left to wonder, what if". She is reluctant to identify herself because of her "illegal status", but she is quick to point out that she has graduated from college and holds a masters degree which she is unable to use. The sacrifices that she has had to make to pay for her own tuition out of her own pockets are staggering, it is amazing that she was able to further her academic career without any assistance. Luckily, I was able to show my legal status and thus received the aid that opened the path for me to continue my education. Other students today aren’t as blessed, they are undocumented an therefore can't participate in what it means to be a citizen, including in its educational realm. They are here through no fault of their own, these men and women have attended and graduated from high schools in the U.S. The "illegals" hope to have the same opportunity to join the ranks of a college student, but for this section of society there will be no going on. They are stopped in their tracks, for them there is no assistance. At a point in my life I was just like them, an undocumented student. The very thought of not being able fulfill my potential and to go after my dreams saddens me. I have found two posts that further illustrates the constant struggles that these students face on a daily basis. They are forced to confront the reality that they may not be able to pursue their education and much worse, the threat of deportation. The first post, ”Round-Up-What is up in the DREAM Act blogosphere?” is written by an unknown writer, the second, “ Immigrant College Grad’s in limbo, Can’t get Jobs” is written by Daniel Gonzalez who again wishes to remain anonymous for fear of deportation. Through an interview he conducted with "Guillermo", he stated that, "It stinks having an education and not being able to use it", when asked about his college degree. Both of these posts advocate for the passage of the Dream Act, a proposal that would have helped many college bound students who are of  AB540 status, my comments in response can be read either by clicking on the links to the actual websites or viewing them below. 

“Round-Up-What is up in the DREAM Act blogosphere?”
Comment

I first want to emphasize how hard it is to find updated and relevant information regarding undocumented students pursuing education beyond high school, secondly, I want to thank you for taking the time to bring such an important topic to the consciousness of America. Your post is both a mixture of facts and insight into what undocumented students face in their everyday lives. They face the prospect of not being able to afford tuition, while at the same time the possibility that if they are discovered to be of illegal status, deportation is all but expected. According to your post, there are thousands of undocumented students that gradu

ate with diplomas from four year institutions and are unemployed. They have no real hope for the future and are left in limbo because of their status. These people lack proper documentation to apply for the very careers that they went to the four year institutions for in the first place. Undocumented university grads are forced to take on low paying jobs that don’t require a college education. They struggle to pay back the loans that they acquired throughout their undergrad careers. Again, there are many undocumented students out there that do not recognize their rights, and more often than not they are intimidated by all the propaganda out there discouraging them to look for help because of the fear of deportation. Another issue that you brought up in your post was the fact that government agencies were conducting raids in worksites that they believed "illegals" were being employed. The government does not realize that they aren't just deporting a person (see right), but in  actuality, the bread winner in the family, the father, a mother, and sometimes the brother and or sister. Your post included information on the federal DREAM Act, which would allow students brought illeglly to this country the ability to gain legal status in order to collect Federal Financial Aid and eventually lead to citizenship. You call for President Obama’s administration to take a stand and vote in legislation that will help the undocumented youth of America. I specifically love the way you incorporated people’s posts with your own. Your blog is also a great resource for current information regarding legislation or the lack thereof for undocumented students. The links that you supplied were really helpful in understanding the full story. My questions revolve mostly on the non-passage of the DREAM Act, where do we go from here? Is the bill really dead in congress and or is there a possibility that Obama will somehow reintroduce the legislation to make it a law? In the end I commend you for going out on the limb and informing us and allowing each individual to make up his or her mind when it comes to such a contested subject.

“ Immigrant College grad’s in limbo can’t get jobs”

Comment

I want to first take the opportunity to thank you for your post, I believe that immigration legislation should be more of a priority in the current administrations agenda. It took me awhile to find your post but after reading it I was astonished to find that (as stated by your post) there was estimated to be 1 million undocumented students between the ages of 5 and 25 in the United States. That is a staggering number, and it alone stands as proof as to why we need to make changes to the current system before it gets to the "point of no return". The most shocking element of your post was to find out that ASU founded a "special program" to make sure that undocumented students receive the same opportunity that men and women with "papers" received to attend college. The problem is that this program has run out of money and can no longer continue without governmental help. Carmen Cornejo director of Cadena, (a local grass roots group) pushing for the DREAM Act, when asked what she thought of the current lack of immigration legislation responded, "It is petty. When someone tries to rise from the ground up we try and squash them". I was astonished that young men and women were graduating top of their class with honors in engineering and still could not get their careers started because they did not have legal residence (see left). Again, immigration reform has fallen out of the public realm and as far as it being a priority, it is not. The reason that students remain unemployed is that legislation is taking to long, we need to realize that this section of society only wishes to become a productive and inspirational citizens. DREAM Act, had promised students the chance to become legalized if they either served in the armed forces or completed some college. But the legislation stalled in congress (2001) and has yet to see the light of day again. Perhaps one of the problems that DREAM Act faces today is the current state of the economy, but we need to realize by creating jobs and productive people we are in turn helping the common wealth of the U.S. With so many Americans out of work, many fear that if this legislation bill is passed it would only further hinder “Americans” in the workforce.There are opponents that believe that immigrants shouldn't gain legalized status or for that matter any help with tuition. They argue that this would only take away jobs that were meant for Americans in the first place. They also go on to say that if we make an exception for them, it will inspire other to come to America illegally thus producing more problems with illegal immigration. Undocumented youths will continue to face harsh realities if legislation is not changed, the fact is that because they are without "papers", they are not guaranteed a career after college or for that matter not even a dead-end job. Daniel states, " They are doing jobs that are not related to their education or degrees, that is the sad part of all this". Daniel, I am curious, what do most of the undocumented students do to prepare themselves for the realities of their situation? Do you see a solution to not only the problem of undocumented students already here in the United States but to illegal immigration as a whole?

Racial Profiling: Living While Brown

Discrimination, prejudice, and racism are all part of the American fabric. On the other hand, so too are concepts of equality, tolerance, and the freedom to pursue happiness despite one’s spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, and national heritage, a part of American society that holds true today within the Latino population. Latinos are told that all citizens are equal under the law and hold the same fundamental civil rights. However, if this is true, why are we disproportionally convicted of crimes based upon our ethnicity? According to the ACLU, racial profiling can be defined as “ the discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for the suspicion of crime based on the individual’s race, ethnicity, religion or national origin." Within nearly all diverse communities incidences of racial profiling have become routine. For example, in New York city there is a fear of walking while “Brown" (this might happen, see right). The police department has a reputation for enforcing tactics they commonly refer to as “stop and frisk” based solely on the color of one’s skin. The practice is indisputable and it is unfortunately a reality for the city's residents. While Blacks comprise 25.6 percent of the City’s population they represent approximately 50 percent of all traffic stops. Hispanics account for 23.7 percent of the population, yet constitute 33 percent of all cars pulled-over within NYC. This argument is only bolstered when one considers that although 43.4% of the city is Caucasian, they constitute only 12% of all traffic investigations. The type of tactics employed by the NYPD are not isolated to the East Coast, but can also be seen here in Los Angeles. Regardless of location, racial profiling is a common form of discrimination and police misconduct. Although serving as a law enforcement officer in a diverse population is extremely difficult, the presence and tolerance of racial profiling across America is unacceptable and preventive means must be adopted to curb this discriminatory practice.

Police stations all over the country are being accused of some form of racial profiling, in a recent article, it was reported that the ACLU held the LAPD responsible for more than 810,000 field stops between 2003 and 2004, with most of the stops consisting of either the black or Latino population. As stated by Amnesty International USA, the truth about racial profiling is that approximately "32 million people in all" are exposed to this type of discrimination. What is more astonishing is the spectrum of ethnicities that are subjected to racial profiling, which include, Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, an many more people of ethnic backgrounds including immigrants and visitors to this country. Racial profiling allows for the the harassed to be victimized by the system twice. They first must endure the initial questioning of the officers and prove their right to be in the U.S. and secondly, their treatment by the officers that will likely lead to being physically brutalized. In the end this ever- growing disconnect between the community and law enforcement agencies that are there to protect them. Another realm in which racial profiling can clearly be seen involves our borders. Border Patrol agents in Lake Elsinore are pressured into reaching their arrest quotas, and are therefore encouraged to single-out Latino men. They often harass and interrogate the individual while assuming that he or she is an “illegal,” convicting them based upon their ethnicity. What ever happened to “innocent until proven guilty”? One particularly revealing incident can be found at PE.com where Luis Espinoza, a U.S. citizen, was randomly puled over for not yielding at a stop sign. After confirming his citizenship, he was let go without any further incident or explanation regarding why he had been pulled over in the first place. These allegations come not only from within the community, but from ex-border patrol agents themselves. In one interview, former patrol agent Tony Plattel was quoted as saying that, “pressure to increase arrests that started in December of 2007 caused agents to randomly question Latinos who they believed (see left) looked like recently arrived immigrants." Further, he went on to say that, “he never saw an agent question non-Latinos.”

More and more Hispanic males are being harassed under false "pretenses.” For instance, they might “fit the description” of the suspects. These occurrences are only encouraged through the use of “special” gang units in Los Angels entrusted to “protect and serve” the communities. In reality they do more harm than good and alienate the population. Ultimately, police officers are more likely to stop Hispanic and Black residents than they are white residents. As a consequence of this are invoked personal memories of “driving while brown,” as I myself have been witness to this type of racial profiling. When confronted with the issue of the rise in racial profiling cases, an LAPD spokesman, “had no immediate comment."To every side of a story there is a counter story, and the LAPD rejects any and all findings of racial profiling by officers. In an article in the L.A. Times, high ranking LAPD officials dispute the study and instead confirm that more Latinos were being stopped and searched but in no way was this racial profiling. Police Chief William J. Bratton was quoted as saying, “We live in am imperfect world. There are many issues and questions for which unfortunately there are no perfect answers. This issue of bias and racial profiling is one of those issues”. He went on to state, “I have a lot of concerns about their conclusions. This department does not engage in racial profiling”. One of the main problems that Police Chief Bratton had with the Ayres’ report is that it did not take into consideration all the circumstances that come into play when an officer executes a routine stop. The ACLU countered that argument by pointing out that the Ayres’ report did in fact take this into account.

Although I would love to say that New York and Los Angeles are the only major cities where racial profiling is out of control, this of course would be untrue. As recently as February 10, 2009, both San Francisco immigrants and legal residents claimed that racial profiling and police brutality were occurring without any supervision by high standing officials in the SFPD. There are allegations that people are getting pulled over, handcuffed, and humiliated in front of their loves only to be let go if they can prove that they have legal residency. Although the SFPD claims that they spend countless hours training their police officers on the proper way to pull over and stop individuals, one can not help but think if it is time to stop counting the hours dedicated to these programs and actually start supervising them with some form of community based organizations. Whether in the East or West Coast, racial profiling is a problem that law enforcement has long tried to ignore. Throughout this post I have indicated the negative impact discriminatory practices have on the relationships between citizens and officers. One of the solutions that may help relations between the two parties involved may be to integrate new training programs assisting our police officers in becoming more sensitive and better equipped to deal with the communities in which they work. If this does not work, we could enact harsher penalties for those who are found guilty of denying civil rights regardless of citizenship and or immigration status. Overall we need to have independent agencies (watch dog groups) investigating allegations of racial profiling and at the same time we must police law enforcement not only as communities but as individuals too.

Immigration Legislation: The Road to Reform

In my initial post I stated that I would try to facilitate a better understanding of the Latina/o population through political, cultural, and social mediums. This post will be no different; again, I want to emphasize that the issues involving immigration legislation are relevant not only to people of color but to all of society. For example, one need only mention immigration reform to incite fear in some that is caused by the unknown, an anxiety brought about by changes in the existing social structure. On the other hand, hope is what some desire, they want and in the end they yearn for change. With the implementation of immigration reform some argue that there is a need for tighter border initiatives. Civil liberties groups fear that this may lead to some border patrol agents using excessive force and thus violating the rights of many. I have found two posts to try and bring about an understanding of what people go through when attempting to become legal residents and or naturalized citizens of the United States. These posts will help support my case for comprehensive immigration legislation. The first post I examined is “Immigration Reform, Legislation on the Horizon” and is written by Jennifer McFadyen and can be found at Immigration.About.com. She brings the experience of the corporate world along with the passion for freelance writing. Through her own experience she wishes to share not only her misconceptions about the immigration process but hopes to shed light on the journey that one may go through when starting and finally completing the application process for legal residency and or citizenship. The second post I looked at and finally came to the realization that it was needed to further my point was the “Can the Obama Administration Achieve Immigration Reform? Yes It Can, (Maybe)”. This post is written by Declan P. Mumford and Peter A. Yost and can be found at Blogger.com. Both of these posts argue for immigration reform but from different standpoints. You can read my comments by either clicking on the links to the actual websites or you can read them below.

“Immigration Reform, Legislation on the Horizon”
comment

First of all I would like to commend you for allowing us the reader to have an insight as to why you are so passionate about immigration reform. Second, it is with great pleasure that I thank you for taking the time to educate the public about legislation concerning immigration. There are millions of people out there who do not know enough about their rights and they need someone like you to guide them to the information so that they can be properly informed. More often than not people get so intimidated when applying for citizenship that they either make mistakes in the application process and or end up wasting large amounts of time filling out applications that aren’t needed. This I tell you from my own experience.

Your post, “Immigration Reform, Legislation on the Horizon”, deals with how the Obama administration is going to overhaul existing immigration laws and make it more accessible to people. This reading states that our new president is dedicated to making opposing sides of the immigration debate work together, and hopefully come to an agreement that is both good for those applying for citizenship and to the current citizens of the United States. The new administration states that they will make it easier to apply by reducing the cost of the applications, making the process work smoother and faster, and by allowing for more sponsorship of family members. That being said there are some points that I still am unsure of.

Your blog is great for current information regarding immigration legislation and it is also vital in supplying links for people to follow to get information from the direct sources. My question is regarding the governor of Arizona (Napolitano, see left) and her interview with NPR. She is now the new secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, she is left with a department that was ridiculed by a nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. The New York Times called the report a “portrait of dysfunction”. What affect if any does her assessment of our immigration policy have on those applying for citizenship now or those in the future?

“Can the Obama Administration Achieve Immigration Reform? Yes It Can, (Maybe)”
Comment

I will start off by thanking you for your blog. Your post, “Can the Obama Administration Achieve Immigration Reform? Yes It Can, (Maybe)”, is a mixture of what problems Obama has waiting for him once he becomes president and how he must help reform immigration legislation. You do a great job of supplying us with his voting record on such matters as immigration. You also inform us of a bill (Senator John McCain, Ted Kennedy) that included but was not limited to sweeping reforms such as, an increase in border security, better workforce enforcement, and a crackdown on companies that hire illegal immigrants. The bill perhaps more than anything could have meant a permanent solution for the millions of undocumented workers in the United States. Unfortunately, this bill never received much support from the house either the Republicans or the Democrats. You point out that president Obama comes into office with high expectations. He has become president at a time where our nation faces economic problems, a war that keeps dragging on, our health care systems seems to be failing, and to top things off, the immigration issue seems to be heating up again. With all these issues that are confronting him does he have time to devote to immigration reform?

What’s important is that you include in your post that our new president ( see right) brings with him hope and optimism to the masses. That he inspires us to make a difference not only in our lives but that of our neighbors. I am hoping that now we can have true immigration reform. My question is more or less, do you think that he will now push for reform through the bill that was defeated? Do you think that immigration reform (sweeping reform) is possible? How do you think that president Obama will deal with the opposition to immigration reform, as we both know that he is a avid supporter?

Bilingual Education: A Multilingual Society Makes America Stronger

Throughout the history of the United States, educational legislation has been fought along the lines of social and political reform. One of these battles culminated June 6, 1998 when the proponents of bilingual education and the opponents (English only) clashed over California's Proposition 227, which called for an end to all bilingual education in the public school system. The proposition passed (approval of 61%) and required that all classes be taught in the native language, English, regardless of the mastery of the language by non-native speakers. This movement was especially offensive to opponents because it appeared to be aimed specifically against Hispanics, and bordered on the verge of outright discrimination. The proponents of this legislation failed to account for the negative impact that such a policy would have on the students already in the bilingual education curriculum. They chose to ignore the fact that according to the census, “over 11 million elementary and secondary students of immigrant families were enrolled in public schools as of 2005." These students accounted for over 20% of the population of the public school system. How can one reconcile so many students being left behind at such an opportune time in their lives? Like many decisions made hastily, one has to think that no one took into account the negative effects (both social and psychological) that this legislation would have on children. I am the product of bilingual education, and have become a testament to its effectiveness. Growing up in a strictly Spanish-speaking home, the incorporation of Spanish into my curriculum enabled me to successfully participate and contribute to my education. June 6, 2008 marked the 10 year anniversary of the passage of Proposition 227 in California. Up until now things have not changed here in the Golden State in terms of legislation towards the repeal of Prop. 227. Other states have followed suit to end bilingual education such as Arizona and Massachusetts, on the other hand, Colorado and Oregon have eliminated initiatives to end bilingual education. As a result of the passage of Proposition 227 (which marked the end of bilingual education), it has become increasingly more difficult for non-native English speaking students to adjust to the American school system. Therefore, this proposition should be repealed in California in order to allow for bilingual education programs to be reinstated, which would prompt other states in the nation to follow suit; this would grant all students equal access to education and the ability to understand English through their native languages.

We are now in the 21st century and the debate over bilingual education remains a contested topic involving students, teachers, parents, administrators, policy makers, and advocates both for and against bilingual education. The fundamental question is whether or not bilingual education helps or hinders non-English speaking students ( a great percentage belonging to immigrant families) throughout their academic careers. This question is pertinent everywhere, from Los Angeles, through the Mid-West and all the way to New York. According to the argument given by James Crawford, Proposition 227 has failed the children it initially intended to help. He states that this legislation has had a 92% failure rate and over 1 1/2 million students have been negatively affected by this. Based on this data and my own experience, I have come to the conclusion that a bilingual education assists students in becoming more confident and secure in their school work, as well as their everyday lives. Adolescents need to understand that they are not being ignored, and that the educational system can work for them. The aim of this of blog is to encourage the support of bilingual education and thus cultivate a multilingual and multicultural United States. Numerous policies encouraging bilingual education result in the improvement of language acquisition and development, which in turn leads to the gradual mastery of the English language. In the long run, these efforts will lead to the success of the student and make him or her more likely to socially and culturally integrate within American society. An important aspect that is often overlooked is that the education these children receive today will inevitably affect them for the rest of their lives. Education is an investment in both the child’s and the nations future. By incorporating one's language, we provide young men and women yet another tool to learn English. They are able to develop and cultivate both languages, thereby allowing them to become linguistically and culturally assimilated. America should embrace its diversity and support the growing population’s desire to learn more than one language. After all, don't many argue that America is a cultural melting pot?

California, and America as a whole, ought to foster an education that cultivates and emphasizes a child’s potential ( see below), not their shortcomings. As a society we must not punish an adolescent for not learning English prior to attending our institutions. Rather, we should nurture and develop their already existing skills. Although, the child may initially lack the English skills necessary to start school, that is no reason to leave them behind. There are multiple factors that may not allow these children to succeed, many of which come from the inability to access transitional bilingual education programs. Through bilingual education, communities across the nation can work together to foster relationships with the parents that can improve the students’ scholastic achievement as well as their everyday lives. The fact is that the American school system, which is comprised of smaller school boards like LAUSD, has a moral responsibility to prepare the student to succeed in life. Whether this leads to a four-year university, or the American work force, it must be the objective of the government to help students acquire the skills necessary to survive in today’s economy. In order to thrive in society today, the curriculum must be intensive; supplemented by programs that can assist children with their individual needs and strengthen the skills that they have already learned. Law makers, as well as administrators, can not lose sight of the fact that these programs must emphasize the mastery of the English language; they must simultaneously develop the students’ communication and decision-making skills that are necessary to navigate through life. Ultimately, all of the tools available must be employed to teach children the English language. We have been entrusted to teach new generations of our youth not only the gift of tolerance, but also that America is a place where everyone is welcomed regardless of race, sexual preference, gender, religious persuasion, and yes, even those with languages other than English.

Diversity in America: My Reason for Exploring the Latina/o Community

The Latina/o community is comprised of many diverse subcultures, each with their own customs, traditions, and unique history. One can simply look at certain iconic media sources in order to get a sense of what the Latina/o culture is all about. For example, magazines (such as Low Rider Magazine and Latina Magazine), newspapers (La Opinion), radio (Latino 96.3) and even TV news outlets (Univision, American Latino TV, LA TV). Our community encompasses all realms of American society. We are teachers, business professionals (ALPFA), actors, artists (NALAC), but most importantly we are leaders in our communities (NALEAO). As a new blogger, I will do my best to incorporate my knowledge of the Latina/o community and the issues affecting it. I hope to create a blog that people will regard as both significant and thought provoking. In order to obtain relevant and up to date information, I have used Webby Awards and IMSA Criteria to ensure that my sources are not only viable but also informative. I have spent some time searching for many sources and have listed them on my linkroll to help you, the reader, better navigate my blog. In my blog, I will cover political, cultural, and social issues pertaining to the Latina/o community and of the great relevance to the community at large. I will also attempt to inform you of the similarities and differences that exist within the Latina/o culture. Additionally, I will discuss important topics like public policy, education and immigration reform, and ultimately I hope to maintain a blog that is both entertaining and educational. I am looking forward to this experience and the opportunity to learn from my fellow bloggers. My hope is that you the reader will get to know the Latina/o community through my blog and understand our role in contemporary America, and the impact that we have as a people in American society today.