Immigration 101 The Advocates for Human Rights is pleased to involve your class or community group in a day to learn about immigration to the United States. The Advocates for Human Rights 2008
Overview Ways to become a U.S. citizen Main categories of immigrants Ways to get a green card Process of naturalization Push-pull factors of immigration Ways to create a welcoming environment for immigrants
Terms to be Covered Asylee Citizen Green card Immigrant Lawful Permanent Resident Undocumented Naturalization Visa Non-immigrant Refugee
Why Is It Important to Stay Informed About Immigration? clipartreview.com To approach a front-page issue sensitively and with accuracy To create a more inclusive classroom To establish dialogue and connections between diverse groups To effectively advocate for immigrants and refugees in the community To encourage positive understanding about immigrants
There Are Ways To Be a Citizen: 1. You are BORN in the U.S. 2. You are born to a U.S. citizen parent or your parent became a citizen before you turned 18 3. You are adopted by a U.S. citizen (Child Citizenship Act of 2000) 4. You are naturalized (more about this process later)
Someone In the U.S. Who is Not a Citizen is Either An Immigrant or a Non-immigrant
Non-Immigrants Students Temporary workers Visitors Others who are in the U.S. temporarily, where their visas only allow them to stay for a limited amount of time.
Immigrants Immigrants settle in a country intending to stay there permanently and become citizens. Two categories of immigrants are:
1 - Lawful Permanent Residents Have permission to remain in the U.S. for as long as they choose, if they remain crime free. Must renew their green card every 10 years.
Refugees and asylees leave their countries because of war or fear of being killed or hurt because of their nationality, race, religion, political opinion or membership in a group. 2 - Refugees / Asylees
What Is The Difference Between a Refugee and an Asylee? A refugee receives permission to come to the U.S. from outside of the country. Refugees are resettled with the help of a refugee resettlement agency. An asylee is already in the U.S. when s/he applies for protection. Asylees have to prove that they have reason to fear persecution in their home country.
Country of Origin of Refugees in the U.S. at the End of 2007 China: 16,800 Haiti: 12,300 Cuba: 11,700 Somalia: 11,600 Colombia: 8,200 Russia: 8,100 Iran: 3,900 Guatemala: 3,400 Vietnam: 3,400 Ethiopia: 3,200 Indonesia: 3,100 Total number of refugees in the U.S. at the end of 2007: 151,200 Ukraine: 3,100 World Refugee Survey (2008) 12 Venezuela: India: 2,800 Nicaragua: 2,400 Myanmar: 2,200 Sudan: 2,200 Other: 42,800
Region of Birth for All Foreign-Born in the U.S. (including refugees) Latin America: Asia: 17.5 mil. 9.1 mil. Europe: 4.8 mil. Other: 2.1 mil. Total foreign-born in U.S. as of 2003: 33.5 million (11.7% of population) U.S. Census (2003) 13
Undocumented Immigrants May have entered the U.S. without showing a visa or green card. May be here with expired papers. Do not have documents that allow them to stay in the U.S.
Becoming a U.S. Citizen Can anyone who wants to become a citizen become one? No, first somebody has to have a green card. Then how do you get a green card? Only a few ways, and not everybody is eligible for on Here are the main ways to obtain a green card
Family A majority of immigrants come to be reunited with family. U.S. citizen adults can sponsor their spouse, parent, child or sibling. Lawful Permanent Residents can sponsor their spouse and any unmarried children.
A Note About Family Reunification - The WAIT The length of the wait will depend on: Whether the sponsor is a citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident What country the relative is from Type of relationship (ex: spouse comes sooner than a brother) Example 1: A lawful permanent resident who wants to bring her husband and 2-year-old daughter from Mexico will have to wait approximately 5-6 years. Example 2: A U.S. citizen who wants to bring his brother from the Philippines will have to wait approximately 23 years.
Employment Some immigrants come to fill positions where there is a shortage of U.S. workers (ex: nurses, computer engineers). Every year there are some visas that are given to professionals with advanced degrees and skilled workers. The employer must prove that they can t find a worker domestically. There are very few visas offered to unskilled workers, though there are many businesses that have a shortage of these workers. Available jobs without available visas cause a rise in undocumented immigration.
Some immigrants come as refugees fleeing persecution. The U.S. accepts refugees and asylees who are fleeing persecution based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, political opinion or membership in a social group. Fleeing Persecution
Diversity Visa Lottery The chance of winning is: Each year, there is a green card lottery to welcome immigrants from countries from which the U.S. receives immigrants at lower rates. The applicant must have a high school diploma or have a specific ability/trade. Their immediate family can come too. There will be visas given out in the lottery. People from countries that have sent more than 50,000 people in the last 5 years are not eligible, including Mexico, El Salvador, China, the Philippines, England, India and other nations.
Q: What Are Some of the Ways You Can Obtain a Green Card? (Click for the answers) Family Employment Fleeing persecution Diversity visa lottery
Lawful Permanent Residents May Become U.S. Citizens Eligible immigrants may choose to go through the process of to become a U.S. citizen.
To Become a Naturalized Citizen, One Must: Have a green card for either 3 or 5 years based on your particular situation. Be physically present in the U.S. for 2.5 years. Pay an application fee of $675. Pass the citizenship test. Pass the interview in English. Swear to the judge you will follow the laws of the U.S. Be of good moral character (e.g., no serious crimes).
The Immigration Debate Immigration is a front-page news story. The debate centers around: The present undocumented population Future immigration flows The costs and benefits of immigration The cultural impact of immigration Family reunification Border security Knowing who s within our borders
Push-Pull Factors of Immigration Push factors are the reasons compelling a migrant to leave his/her home country. Pull factors draw or attract a person to his/her destination.
Some Push Factors May Include: War Famine Natural disaster Unemployment Underemployment Persecution Economic hardship Lack of opportunity Poor education Civil unrest
Some Pull Factors May Include: Employment opportunities Rejoining family Welcoming atmosphere Excellent schools Social services prepared for resettlement (e.g., churches, hospitals, schools, etc.) Want to join established immigrant community
QUIZ TIME!
Q: What are Some of the Factors That Push People Out of Their Countries of Origin, and Pull Them to a Country of Destination? Push Factors War Famine Natural disaster Unemployment Persecution Economic hardship Lack of opportunity Poor education Civil unrest (Click for the answers) Pull Factors Employment opportunities Rejoining family Welcoming atmosphere Excellent schools Social services prepared for resettlement (e.g., churches, hospitals, schools, etc.) Want to join established
Contributions of Immigrants Fill a labor need Pay taxes Add diversity Share new ideas Enrich the culture Offset an aging population Strengthen our global connections
Ways to Create a Welcoming Environment for Immigrants Write articles for your school or community newspaper about the immigration issue. Advocate by sending letters to legislators about current immigration issues. Reach out to refugees and immigrants in your local area. Befriend a newcomer at your school. Increase awareness of refugee and immigrant issues. Form a club in your school with others interested in these issues. Raise money, or do a food/clothing drive for a local or national organization that serves immigrants and refugees.
For More Information, Visit Energy of a Nation on the Web! Obtain accurate and up-todate information. Learn about current legislation. Take action by contacting leaders and lawmakers. Participate in community events. Learn about the issues. Access reports and resources on state and national immigration. All Free and Downloadable at: www.energyofanation.org!
The Advocates for Human Rights 2008