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”
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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)”
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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.