Surviving through Violence

Hello to my dear readers! Today I want to switch my focus on immigrant women especially who are at risk of domestic abuse and violence. According to Immigration Policy Center, estimated 19 million immigrant women and girls stay or live in the United State. For many of them, domestic violence and any other violent action including rape and sexual abuse are very urgent issues.

The U.S. congress enacted the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 (revised in 2005) for the purpose of protecting immigrant victims of violence, allowing them to "obtain immigration relief independent of their abusive spouse or parent through a process called “self-petitioning" and providing special types of Visas called "U" and "T" visas.
 For further info about the Visas: Immigration Policy Center  or
                                                     U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services


In New York City, New York Asian Women's Center has been working for immigrant women and their children since 1982. The agency provides multilingual 24-7 hotline with over a dozen different Asian languages and dialects such as Chinese, Indian, Korean, Pakistani, Japanese, Bangladesh, Vietnamese and Filipino. It also provides emergency shelter, children program such as counseling and art therapy, community education, Project-Free for victims of human trafficking, immigration legal services etc...
For further info of the services: http://www.nyawc.org/about/what-we-do.html

If you are the one who are having hard time with your spouse due to his/her abusive behaviors or attitudes, please please do hesitate to ask for help! It is for the sake of your precious future and your children's as well.

Who are the Drunk Poeple?

"Politicians are like drunks who cannot find a key, and look for it in a wrong place"

Can you guess what this sarcastic metaphor is about? The person who gave this hilarious but much to the poit metaphor at the NYU Dream Act forum is a well-known NYU professor Marcelo Suarez-Orozco, who teaches "cultural psychology and psychological anthropology with a focus on the study of mass migration, globalization, and education" (NYU Steinhardt). He was trying to say that many politicians see Dream Act from a wrong pont of views such as security issue and labor force issues, but they actually have to consider the Act relating to "Human Dignity and Wellbeing of Children".

Oh, I whish I was able took his class! I mean he is very funny (as you can imagine from the metaphor), but at the same time, he has profound knowledge about immigration issues in and outside of the U.S. At least, I am glad I had a chance to listen to his lecture at the NYU Dream Act Forum, which was held today with large number of perticipants. I was kind surprised to see so many students(regardless their immigration status) and faculty members are interested in this burning issue.

Pro. Suarez-Orozco is in the middle of the photo.

According to his presentation, estimated 100,000 immigrant parents who have at least one U.S. citizen child have been deported from the U.S. between 1998 through 2007. The Immigration Customes and Enforcement removed 46,486 undocumented parents from the country from January to June, 2011. It is not hard to imagine what would happen to children whose parents are taken away from them...very traumatic experience may cause children increased anxiety, changing in eating, sleep disorder, withdrawal, distrust, and anger (NYTimes; Deporting Parents Hurts Kids).

Two more important figures were at the panel; Chung-Wha Hong, the Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition and Yelky Ramos, the New York Immigration Coalition Dream fellow, who is also the student of Baruch College.

Yelky told her struggles as an undocumented student who has been seeking higher education, but had hard time to realize it because of her "illegal" status. She came to the U.S. at the age of 11, and learned English and adapted American culture quickly, so that today she feels a strong sense of belonging to the country.  Fortunately, she has received financial support from her "angel" (she did not disclose who she/he was) and has studied at the Baruch College.  

All of the pannelists believe the NY should be a leading state and  pass the NY Dream Act (S4179/A6829) for the sake of not only the future of the students but the properity of the nation as a whole.

*Please visit NYU Dream Team website for further information and sign the petition!

 

ABC News: Stolen Baby? Who are My Parents?

Phote from ABC News

According to ABC News, five-year old boy Jamison (or Carlos) has been torn by his foster parents Mr. and Mrs. Seth and Melinda Moser and his biological mother Encarnacion Bail Romero. Ms. Romero, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala,was "arrested in an immigration raid at the poultry plant, Missouri. She was charged with aggravated identity theft and sentenced to serve two years in prison, after which she would be deported back to Guatemala"(ABC News). Ms. Romero could not able to see her son  since 2007. Right after she was released from the prison in 2009, she was looking for help to get her son back but could no get any support due to her lack of English skill. Today, Jamison (Carlos) lives with his foster parents and does not remember about his birth mother.

"Without any policies in place to regulate the care of U.S. citizen children while their parents are detained, immigrant parents are unable to attend court hearings, contact caseworkers, complete parenting classes or take any of the necessary steps to meet the strict timelines dictated by juvenile courts" (Lauren Gilger and Angela M. Hill, the Brian Ross Investigative Unit's 2011 Carnegie Fellows)

For further detail: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/adoption-battle-year-boy-pits-missouri-couple-illegal/story?id=15484447

In my opinion, I strongly agree with Gilger and Hill's comments above that Ms.Romero has yet been given opportunity to explain her situation and voice her right to be with her son. Just to clarify, I understand and have no objection that she violated the U.S. immigration law and therefore must be charged. However, I do not get the idea that Jamison(Carlos) was adopted, authorized by juvenile court, by the parents without Ms. Romero's consent.

It has been for five years since they were separated and as Ms.Romero is afraid that her son does not remember her, I can guess it would be very hard for both of them (Ms. Romero and Carlos) to reunite physically as well as mentally, even if Ms. Romero gets her parental rights back. Also, I believe that Mr. and Mrs. Moser feel very painful to fight for their foster child Jamison. So I cannot say anything about who should have the parental rights of Jamison(Carlos), but I do hope that at least Ms. Romero's voice are heard at courts.

Policy makers should consider this case is not rare (estimated 5,100 children in 22 states were in foster care after their parents were either detained or deported in 2011) and take an action to stop a similar case happening.

Phuong

Dream Fellowship

Kirk Semple , the editor of New York Times reported that advocacy groups at New york City have created a limited college scholarship called "Dream Fellowship" for illegal immigrant students. At this moment, it is only for undergraduate students who study at City University of New York. The program received financial support from the Fund for Public Advocacy, other nonprofit groups and private donors.

For further information: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/09/education/as-aid-bill-lingers-illegal-immigrants-get-scholarships.html?ref=education

About the Dream Fellowship: Fund for Public Advocacy

Being an immigrant child of Vietnamese parents in Japan and studying social work in the U.S., I have always been interested in how laws and regulations influence upon immigrant children in the U.S., and have considered what I can do to improve their situations, or at least better understand the issues so that I will be able to help them effectively when I work with the population.

I believe that this Fellowship is a great motivation for the students who seek opprtunities to realize their dreams and serve their country, the Unites State of America.

Phuong

Dream Act is just a dream?

President Obama's Promises in 2008 

" This time must be different ...We have never been just a collection of individuals ... We are and always will be the United States of America ... But we have so much to do...This is our moment. This is our time to put people back to work and open doors of opportunities for our kids, to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace, to reclaim the American Dream, and reaffirm the fundamental truth that out of many we are one."

Time flies! I cannot believe that it has been already three years since President Obama gave this inspiring speech to his supporters in Grant Park, Chicago. And, this year he needs to show that he is really working on his promises to all peoples in this country, if he wants to win reelection this November. Dream Act, I think, is one of important topics for the upcoming election.

                                        

Q. What is Dream Act?

I heard this word in my social work class, and it was embarrassing(as a social work student) but had no idea about it. So, I decided to look up the bill on the Internet.

Dream Act, or Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2011(H.R1842), is aim to provide conditional legal status to (former and future) undocumented high-school graduates and GED recipients a pathway to U.S. citizenship through college or the armed services.

(Approximately 6.5 million unauthorized immigrants graduate from high schools each year.)

You can check more details about the bill at Immigration Policy Center of American Immigration Council.

Q. Who is qualified?

An alien who:

(1) entered the United States on or before his/her 15th birthday and has been present in the United States for at least five years immediately preceding this Act's enactment,

(2) is a person of good moral character,

(3) is not inadmissible under specified grounds of the Immigration and Nationality Act,

(4) has been admitted to an institution of higher education (IHE) in the United States or has earned a high school diploma or general education development certificate in the United States, and

(5) was age 32 or younger on the date of this Act enactment.

*"Applicants must submit biometric and biographic data; undergo security and law enforcement background checks; undergo a medical exam; and register for military selective service. These students would be able to obtain permanent resident status after two years of college or military service."

There are so much to talk and do some research about this bill, so I will post related blogs in a little while!

Phuong

Which Way Home (2009)

Plot of the film

"Which Way Home"(2009) is a documentary film that follows journeys of unaccompanied child migrants to the United States. The film makers followed children like nine-year old Olga and Freddy from Hondurans, who left their home with just the clothes they wore to reach their parents in the US.; "children like Jose, a ten-year old El Salvadoran, who has been abandoned by smugglers and ends up alone in a Mexican detention center; and Kevin, a canny, streetwise fourteen-year old Honduran, whose mother hopes that he will reach the U.S. and send money back to her. These are stories of hope and courage, disappointment and sorrow." (IMDb)

Phew, I could not stop crying while watching this film. The children in the film are prepared to take any risk in order to reach "America," their country of dream. Most of them ride on roof of trains( needless to say, it's illegal and dangerous to ride on a train in that way!), which takes them closer to the boarder of Mexico and the U.S.. Sleeping on the ground, not eating few days, and facing numerous risks such as slipping off the train, and being caught by smugglers and so on...



Even the U.S. boarder patrol has been toughten, and a state like Arizona passed the immigration law(SB1070) which "orders immigrants to carry their alien registration documents at all times and requires police to question people if there's reason to suspect they're in the United States illegally" in 2010 (CNN), there are still so many migrants(regardless age and sex)  try to cross the boarder.

For further information about the Arizona Immigration Law(SB1070): http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/i/immigration-and-emigration/arizona-immigration-law-sb-1070/index.html

The International Center is Closing!

While I was net-surfing and looking for blogs relevant to my interest in immigration, I found sad news informing the International Center , a free-of-charge English Learning Center for immigrants, is closing by the end of April due to the financial difficulties. ( from Donna Poisl's blog Immigrants in USA)

“[T]errible loss for us, for our city and our community.” 

                                                 Comment from Dr. Allen Keller, Bellevue Hospital Center (NY Times)

Article Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/09/nyregion/international-center-a-school-for-immigrants-faces-closure.html?_r=1

Based on the article, we can see that the center has been loved by so many immigrants and its stuffs for over 50 years. The Center is not just a place to learn English, buy a place where peoples around the world can share their cultures, make friends, develop skills for living and working, and of course learn the American culture. 

Although it seems that nobody can stop the shutdown of the Center, some stuffs and volunteers have formed committees to raise money and find a new place to restart the center. Mr. Mahmood Ali, one of the students from Yemen, compared "'the center to a tree: If it is cut...it will blossom again and grow up again, because it has a soul.'"(NY Times)

I have not heard the existence of the center till I found the article, and when I knew it I was worried about students who have been learning at the center.  The Center must have been an essential bridge between them and the American society. Now, they feel like they are going to lose their prime supporter, I assume. As an international student, I really understand that a newcomer is dying to have a place she/he can feel like a home and foreign friends who share same experiences. Hmm, what I can do for the center? Posing this blog can be help, I hope...

Phuong

In America (2002) : A Story of Irish Immigrant Family

I was recommended the movie "In America"(2002) by one of my Social Work professor, and found that the movie captures universal difficulties for immigrants living in the United States.

Plot of the Story

Sullivan family came to New York City with a hope for a better life. Johny, the father of Christy and Ariel, has a dream of becoming an actor, but has hard time to realize his dream. Sarah, the mother of the sisters works at an ice cream shop and earns few money for the family. Cristy and Ariel are very cheerful and supportive to the parents, though they face culture shock and feel isolated from their Catholic school. The family lives in a run-down apartment,where drug addicts and strange people wander around.  They gradually become familiar with an African artist Mateo, who lives in downstairs. Mateo loves the family, but he knows he has to say good bye to them forever... 
No matter how hard the difficulties are , the family eventually overcome them together and strengthen their familial ties.

Issues for the Family
1. Being in illegal status.
2. Living in dangerous neighborhood.
3. Low-paid jobs: waitress and taxi driver.
4. No support system.
    *Mateo eventually becomes the family's closest friend and support the family financially.
5. Mental health issue: the family lost their youngest family member Frankie due to disease before coming to the U.S., and they have not recovered from the loss. Especially, Sarah has been depressed deeply by her beloved son's death.
6. Culture shock: Christy and Ariel feel that they are different from their classmates since they are Irish.
7. No insurance: at the time Sarah is hospitalized, Johny is asked to pay incredibly expensive bill.

Probably, you already notice that their problems are very common among immigrant families. Poor neighborhood, low-paid jobs, no support system, no insurance, and culture shock...

Q. While watching the movie, I was wondering the reason others( people at the school and neighbors) look down on the family because of their Irish heritage. Does anyone know why? There must be historical factors contribute to it, I guess. If you know anything about it, please let me know! I will also do some research, and post a blog regarding to the issue if time allows me to...hehehe

Phuong

Defining the Population

I guess it's kind boring to read statistics. But! Before searching for documentaries/movies related to immigration to the U.S., let's take a first step to gain deeper understanding of the population! Here, I found some updated statistics of the population from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other reliable resources.

First of all, immigrants are categorized into  
1. Legal Permanent Residents: “green card” recipients . 
2. Refugees and Asylee
3. Naturalizations: "Naturalizations refer to persons aged 18 and over who become citizens of the United States . Most legal permanent residents are eligible to apply for naturalization within five years after obtaining LPR statu"
4.Nonimmigrant Admissions: tourists or business travelers, but some come to work, study, or engage in cultural exchange programs . 
5. Enforcement Actions: "Enforcement actions include the apprehension, removal and return of foreign nationals who are in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act . These actions occur at the borders of the United States, in the inte- rior of the country, and at designated sites outside the United States"
                                                                                           The U.S. Department of Homeland Security

<Population>
Based on the 2010 American Comunity Survey, approximately 11.5 million unauthorized residents were living in the year (or about 29% of the total immigrant population of 40 million). The majority came from North America including Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central Ameica. (Mexico counts 6.8 million and the leading country of illegal migration). Lest of them came from Asian countries and Sounth Ameica.
Further Information: Center for Immigration Studies

<Demographic>
California is the home for 2.8 million illegal immigrants. Other major resettling states are Texas(1.8m), Florida(740,000), New York(630,000) and Illinois(550,000).
Further information: DHS website


Q. How do you see these numbers? Do you think they are relatively small or large compared to the total U.S. population? Well,  I personally do not know the answer. However, I see that the population counts very important position in the U.S. economy and politics. Although I do not support "illegal" immigration, I have seen the population contributes to the society as low-paid workers or blue-colored workers. You walk around the city and cannot avoid finding illegal residents' working so hard to make ends meet.  It is impossible to erase the population, and I do believe that the society does need them to carry on the society itself.

Then, how has the government worked with this population?And how is the government going to work with them? More research about the government policies and immigration laws will be discussed!

 P.S. I found an educational (and very cute) short video, which is from 70's, teaching about immigration! Have you every watched it when you are at school?

 


Good day:)

Phuong