Unlawful Ban on Education

Currently in Long Island, New York, school districts are trying to ban illegal immigrants from receiving a public education. Other states such as Texas have already tried barring illegal immigrants from attending school; problems arose that led to a supreme court case to decide the ruling on such decisions. Texas lost; it is unconstitutional, according to Plyler v. Doe, to keep illegal immigrants from attending classes.
It is important that these children be educated in order for them to take part and play a role in our society. Having the privilege of being an active member of our society when they have reached adulthood will allow them to contribute not only to our society, but to our economy as well and to do otherwise would be counterproductive. To take away a child's opportunity to an education may be taking away their opportunity to flourish and do great things.By failing to provide an equal chance to these children due to their or their parents immigration status would contradict the notion that America is the land of opportunity.
Also, public education is paid through tax payer dollars (property tax specifically). MORE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS PAY TAXES THAN THEIR AMERICAN COUNTERPART (ok maybe not more, but majority of illegal immigrants do pay their dues).


http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/18/nyregion/school-district-on-long-island-told-it-must-teach-immigrants.html

Central American Refugees

I have been wanting  to post about this for sometime now, but time seems to elude me!
This article is very interesting because for awhile now, the status of illegal immigrant children has been stuck between granting them refugee status or illegal immigrant status (basically deporting them from whence they came).  It becomes tricky when children are involved because of consent and understanding, meaning it was usually some else's idea to send them over (hopefully with good intentions). Central America is facing a gang crisis which makes living undesirable and dangerous. Yet, the trek across Mexico in an attempt to cross into the US is just as dangerous. How do we protect these children in what seems to be a dangerous situation how ever way we look at it?



http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/01/us/obama-approves-plan-to-let-children-apply-for-refugee-status-in-central-america.html

Buying Permanency

I stumbled across an article that talked about the influx of Chinese immigrants (many of them wealthy from recent years) into the United States. It takes about two years, three at the most, to become a permanent resident in the United States thanks to the EB-5 visa program. This program gives visas to those who invest at least 500,000 US dollars and create at least 10 jobs in development projects. Many of those interested in this particular visa are Chinese foreign students. The program has hit its annual quota of 10,000 visas for the fiscal year, and will not receive new applicants until Oct. 1; there is even a backlog on applicants! Having an understanding on the push, pull, and means factor, I realize that we are sending many who are “pushed” out of their home country are being sent back. Why? Because, those able to afford the EB-5 visas are supposedly “stimulating” our economy and generating revenue.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2014/09/05/why-a-u-s-immigrant-investor-program-is-being-maxed-out-by-chinese-applicants/

A more Unified Voice

"Colorado has increasingly become a swing state, where elections and decisions are being made with very narrow margins," Asfaw says. "So people are looking under the microscope [and] saying, 'Who are the voters? Where are the voting blocs?'"

Colorado is home to many immigrants from Africa. While there are diverse ethnic groups in Africa, many still find a way to be united as one. Afrikmall is a massive mall and community center in Denver that caters to African immigrants, and forces immigrant business owners to engage with political leaders to get the project off the ground. Political leaders, especially Republicans, are changing their image of exclusivity by being more open and building ties with the African community, which is becoming more unified. The Denver area is primarily home to Ethiopians, however there is an increasing amount of African-Americans with different roots. Colorado at this time could be Blue or Red because of the immigrant voters and politicians are taking note.

http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-09-09/african-immigrants-colorado-are-finding-their-political-voice

Dilemmas in today's New Word

Recently I have heard many stories about immigration deportation quotas and the detainment of illegal immigrants. Many people look at the immigration rate and the deportation rate as a number; immigrants are not numbers but human beings. Lives are affected by the ignorances of such institutions being created.  Many law-abiding (illegal) immigrants are main caregivers to their (legal citizen) family members and at any time can be sent away, tearing a family apart.  The government and Americans are treating immigrants (illegal or not) as criminals. posted is an article about the conditions of where those immigrants are detained. 

http://www.sfreporter.com/santafe/article-9136-deportation-mill.html

My First Post

My First Post