Looking Forward: Immigrant Contributions to the Golden State 2010
-Publication by the California Immigrant Policy Center
California’s Newcomers—a Snapshot:
According to the 2005-2007 American Community Survey, more than one quarter (27%) of California residents are immigrants, a rate higher than any other state in the nation. This amounts to 9.9 million immigrant residents in California.143% of California’s immigrants are citizens. The number of immigrants choosing California as their destination is leveling and those who decide to stay are staying longer. As immigrants remain in CA, homeownership rises and poverty rates decrease. Over time, immigrants become more invested in their schools, communities and neighborhoods. Immigrants and their children make up 41% of California’s population. Of all children in California, 48% have at least one immigrant parent. Most non-citizens (70%) live in households that also have citizens. About 75% of non-citizen Latinos live in households with citizens and about 60% of Asian non-citizens live in mixed-status households.
[Summary: The California Immigrant Policy Center has released a publication about immigrant contributions to California in 2010. It covers immigrant employment, tax payments, GDP contribution, and political power.]
To read the report, click here. Click on Looking Forward: Immigrant Contributions to the Golden State 2010 under "Our Publications".
[Posted by Emma Mederos]
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Illegal Immigration In California - A Study In Contradictions
By Maureen Cavanaugh, Pat Finn. July 21, 2010. KPBS.
Call them what you will - unauthorized , illegal, or undocumented - the three million immigrants in California who either entered the U.S. illegally or overstayed their visas have an impact on the state's economy and a polarizing effect on its politics. We explore the costs of illegal immigration on business, government, and the children of those who are deported, and we look at why illegal immigrants continue to find their way north in spite of formidable obstacles.
To continue reading or to listen click here.
Posted by Kathy Vega.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Undocumented California grads risk deportation
By Kitty Felde & KPCC Wire Services
July 20 2010 12:57 pm
July 20 2010 12:57 pm
The students want Congress to pass the Dream Act. That bill would grant legal residency to undocumented high school graduates. UC Santa Cruz graduate Laura Lopez was one of the young people arrested in Washington.
"I graduated from high school with great grades. I did my community service, the extra-curricular activities. I paid my dues to get into higher education. Paid my dues within higher education to get my degree so why can I not work when I am able to work and willing to work."
A UC Irvine graduate who has been living in the United States illegally for more than 20 years was also arrested in Washington, D.C., with a group of young people demonstrating in favor of a bill that would grant them legal status, it was reported today.
To contenue reading this article click here
National Guard to help at border
Show of force called 'visible deterrent'
By Jeannette Steele, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERTuesday, July 20, 2010 at 9:29 p.m.
Dressed in camouflage and carrying sidearms, about 250 California National Guard personnel will provide a show of force to prospective drug runners and illegal migrants when the troops deploy to San Diego and Imperial counties, starting in mid-August.
As part of a get-tough-at-the-border move by the Obama administration, the Guard will be activated for a year to assist the U.S. Border Patrol and will be stationed around the region, from Camp Pendleton to the Tijuana border to the Imperial Valley.
“This is meant to be a visible deterrent,” spokeswoman Maj. Kimberly Holman said Tuesday.
The White House first announced in May that 1,200 troops would be sent to Southwest states to crack down on smuggling and drug cartel violence.
To read more click here
[Posted by Max Felipe]
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The Border’s Bottom Line
July 20, 2010
SAN DIEGO — Three million unauthorized immigrants live here in California. The statistics raise an important economic question – just what are the financial implications of such a large undocumented population?
It's a question Martha Torkington asks herself often. She owns a horse ranch in the south westerly edge of San Diego County.
“You can look up on the hillside and see the tracks. They look almost like water tracks but they are human tracks coming down,” Torkington says, pointing to the faded yellow tracks that traverse down the hillside across from her property.
On the other side of the hill is Mexico. Torkington has seen her share of unauthorized immigration trickle past this hillside.
“The ones who do want to come in and contribute and participate in the United States, we want them. The other side is we don’t want to support them. It's tough. It’s a tough situation.”
to continue reading click here
[Posted by Max Felipe]
Brown Berets Target Rally Held By Supporters Of Arizona's Immigration Law, Shout "Go Back To Europe!"
By Tom Kent. Huffington Post. July 20th, 2010.
Members of the Brown Berets, a Mexican American grassroots organization formed in the 1960's, appeared at a rally in Anaheim, California that was in support of Arizona's controversial immigration law.
Armed with a megaphone and their berets, the two members marched up and down the sidewalks and shouted: "You are white!", "Go back to Europe!" and "This is Mexican land!"
Rally goers shouted back: "Support Arizona!" "Go back to Mexico!" and "Go wash someone's dishes!"
The group's web site says that they are in support for preserving the history of their ancestors and the Mexican heritage. They claim that America once belonged to Mexico and that it was wrong to deny citizenship to the country's native inhabitants.
To continue reading and video click here
Posted by Kathy Vega
Monday, July 19, 2010
Whitman backs off on immigration inspections
By Susan Ferriss
Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman is backing away from a key immigration proposal she advanced in this spring's competitive GOP primary after farmers and other business interests expressed displeasure with her idea.
As she campaigned this spring, Whitman said she would send state and local officials into California businesses to look for illegal immigrants – her own version of federal immigration workplace inspections.
But her campaign now says she would wait to act until the federal government institutes a "fail-safe" way for employers to verify workers' status – an effort that has been more than a decade in the making.
To continue reading, click here.
[Posted by Emma Mederos]
Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman is backing away from a key immigration proposal she advanced in this spring's competitive GOP primary after farmers and other business interests expressed displeasure with her idea.
As she campaigned this spring, Whitman said she would send state and local officials into California businesses to look for illegal immigrants – her own version of federal immigration workplace inspections.
But her campaign now says she would wait to act until the federal government institutes a "fail-safe" way for employers to verify workers' status – an effort that has been more than a decade in the making.
To continue reading, click here.
[Posted by Emma Mederos]
Poll: California voters almost evenly divided on Arizona's immigration law
By Nicole C. Brambila • The Desert Sun • July 17, 2010
A poll released Friday shows California voters almost evenly split on Arizona's controversial immigration law.
Roughly 49 percent of registered voters support the law, which, if a federal lawsuit seeking an injunction isn't successful, goes into effect July 29.
Forty-five percent of those polled in a telephone survey conducted June 22 through July 5 opposed the law.
The remaining 6 percent had no opinion.
Among the California Field Poll's findings:
Support for the law falls largely along ideological lines with Republicans strongly supporting it (77 percent) and Democrats opposing (62 percent).
To continue reading, click here.
[Posted by Emma Mederos]
A poll released Friday shows California voters almost evenly split on Arizona's controversial immigration law.
Roughly 49 percent of registered voters support the law, which, if a federal lawsuit seeking an injunction isn't successful, goes into effect July 29.
Forty-five percent of those polled in a telephone survey conducted June 22 through July 5 opposed the law.
The remaining 6 percent had no opinion.
Among the California Field Poll's findings:
Support for the law falls largely along ideological lines with Republicans strongly supporting it (77 percent) and Democrats opposing (62 percent).
To continue reading, click here.
[Posted by Emma Mederos]
Thursday, July 15, 2010
3,340 new citizens sworn in at LA Convention Center
by Tony Castro Staff Writer
Like a packed California theme park, the Los Angeles Convention Center boasted a big crowd on Thursday, with long lines, commemorative photos and other touristy trappings and even red, white and blue bunting.
"It's like Disneyland here," Torrance resident Yoosa Lee said as he surveyed the spectacle, which included a video message from the president and a rousing rendition of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA."
And, in fact, the Convention Center may have been the happiest place on Earth for Lee and thousands of others whose lives changed Thursday as they became naturalized citizens of the United States
to continue reading click here here
[posted by max felipe]
Like a packed California theme park, the Los Angeles Convention Center boasted a big crowd on Thursday, with long lines, commemorative photos and other touristy trappings and even red, white and blue bunting.
"It's like Disneyland here," Torrance resident Yoosa Lee said as he surveyed the spectacle, which included a video message from the president and a rousing rendition of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA."
And, in fact, the Convention Center may have been the happiest place on Earth for Lee and thousands of others whose lives changed Thursday as they became naturalized citizens of the United States
to continue reading click here here
[posted by max felipe]
Equality California Hails Efforts to End Unfair Immigration Policy against Same-Sex Couples
By
Vaishalee Raja,
SAN FRANCISCO - July 15 - Equality California praised a renewed effort to pass comprehensive immigration reform that is inclusive of the Uniting American Families Act, which would permit U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor a same-sex partner for immigration purposes. A coalition of organizations and leaders from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), immigrants' rights, civil rights and faith communities issued a joint statement today while Members of Congress gathered on Capitol Hill to call for passage of immigration reform legislation that ends discrimination against LGBT binational families.
"We are grateful that this powerful coalition is standing together to help fix our broken immigration system," said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California. "California's elected leaders have already endorsed the Uniting American Families Act, urging our U.S. Congressional leaders to act quickly to end the grave inequities facing binational couples and their families. We hope this vital legislation passes soon, so that no more families headed by same-sex couples are torn apart."
to keep reading click here
By Max Felipe
Vaishalee Raja,
SAN FRANCISCO - July 15 - Equality California praised a renewed effort to pass comprehensive immigration reform that is inclusive of the Uniting American Families Act, which would permit U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor a same-sex partner for immigration purposes. A coalition of organizations and leaders from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), immigrants' rights, civil rights and faith communities issued a joint statement today while Members of Congress gathered on Capitol Hill to call for passage of immigration reform legislation that ends discrimination against LGBT binational families.
"We are grateful that this powerful coalition is standing together to help fix our broken immigration system," said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California. "California's elected leaders have already endorsed the Uniting American Families Act, urging our U.S. Congressional leaders to act quickly to end the grave inequities facing binational couples and their families. We hope this vital legislation passes soon, so that no more families headed by same-sex couples are torn apart."
to keep reading click here
By Max Felipe
Immigration reform: Start with small steps
By John D. Skrentny, Special to CNN
July 15, 2010 10:11 a.m. EDT
San Diego, California (CNN) -- Another player has entered the immigration battle as the Justice Department sues Arizona over its new immigration law. And the reason the fight is centered in Arizona is that reform has failed in Washington.
Like the characters in "Hot Tub Time Machine," reformers are stuck in 1986. That's when Congress passed, and President Reagan signed into law, the Immigration Reform and Control Act, which married border control and the legalization of millions of illegal immigrants.
Reformers today are misguided to seek a similar "grand bargain" on immigration. History shows 1986 was an anomaly, and the desire to get everything for a controversial group typically gets nothing. But there's hope: A few in the movement have begun to see that getting meaningful action will require small steps and "mini-bargains."
to continue reading click here
[posted by max felipe]
July 15, 2010 10:11 a.m. EDT
San Diego, California (CNN) -- Another player has entered the immigration battle as the Justice Department sues Arizona over its new immigration law. And the reason the fight is centered in Arizona is that reform has failed in Washington.
Like the characters in "Hot Tub Time Machine," reformers are stuck in 1986. That's when Congress passed, and President Reagan signed into law, the Immigration Reform and Control Act, which married border control and the legalization of millions of illegal immigrants.
Reformers today are misguided to seek a similar "grand bargain" on immigration. History shows 1986 was an anomaly, and the desire to get everything for a controversial group typically gets nothing. But there's hope: A few in the movement have begun to see that getting meaningful action will require small steps and "mini-bargains."
to continue reading click here
[posted by max felipe]
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Whitman says she and Brown are similar on illegal immigration
NY Times. July 14, 2010 by Seema Mehta
The gubernatorial candidates continued to spar over illegal immigration Wednesday, with Republican nominee Meg Whitman insisting her positions are not so different from those of her Democratic rival, Jerry Brown, and Brown countering that their views are as different as night and day.
Whitman began the back-and-forth, publishing an op-ed piece in several Spanish-language newspapers that criticized the harsh rhetoric surrounding the debate and noting that she received flak in the Republican primary because of her opposition to Arizona’s controversial crackdown on illegal immigrants.
She says she and Brown opposed that law, as well as driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, sanctuary cities and Proposition 187, the 1994 California ballot initiative that would have denied most taxpayer-funded services to those in the country illegally.
“Clearly, when examining our positions on immigration, there is very little over which Jerry Brown and I disagree,” Whitman wrote for the Eastern Group Publications in East Los Angeles, which distributes 11 newspapers. “Latinos seeking a candidate who supports amnesty for illegal immigrants won't find one on the gubernatorial ballot this year.”
To continue reading click here
Posted by Kathy Vega
The gubernatorial candidates continued to spar over illegal immigration Wednesday, with Republican nominee Meg Whitman insisting her positions are not so different from those of her Democratic rival, Jerry Brown, and Brown countering that their views are as different as night and day.
Whitman began the back-and-forth, publishing an op-ed piece in several Spanish-language newspapers that criticized the harsh rhetoric surrounding the debate and noting that she received flak in the Republican primary because of her opposition to Arizona’s controversial crackdown on illegal immigrants.
She says she and Brown opposed that law, as well as driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, sanctuary cities and Proposition 187, the 1994 California ballot initiative that would have denied most taxpayer-funded services to those in the country illegally.
“Clearly, when examining our positions on immigration, there is very little over which Jerry Brown and I disagree,” Whitman wrote for the Eastern Group Publications in East Los Angeles, which distributes 11 newspapers. “Latinos seeking a candidate who supports amnesty for illegal immigrants won't find one on the gubernatorial ballot this year.”
To continue reading click here
Posted by Kathy Vega
Americans Must Come Together to Address the Problem of Illegal Immigration
By Meg Whitman
July 7, 2010
Californians are on the front line of the immigration debate in America. As such, California has the most to gain from sensible immigration reform and the most to lose from the failed status quo. It’s no surprise that the rest of the nation is looking to California for leadership on this issue.
In a post 9-11 world, illegal immigration is more dangerous than ever. And yet, legal immigration is no less important to America’s economic success. If the next great inventor lives in India, China or Mexico today, we should welcome that inventor coming to America legally to create jobs and prosperity here. If a segment of our economy has a shortage of American workers, then we should look across our borders for guest workers who can help American businesses succeed by working here legally, but without full U.S. citizenship. Finally, our doors should always be open to honest and well-intentioned people facing the terror of political oppression in their homelands. Closing our doors to legal immigration would be counter to everything our nation stands for.
But our nation also stands for the rule of law. Our porous borders have allowed millions of illegal immigrants to live in our country. Most are hardworking people who chose to break the law to find a better life for themselves and their families. Sadly, some are here for criminal reasons, like smuggling drugs.
to continue reading fallow the link http://egpnews.com/?p=19391
Posted by Max Felipe
July 7, 2010
Californians are on the front line of the immigration debate in America. As such, California has the most to gain from sensible immigration reform and the most to lose from the failed status quo. It’s no surprise that the rest of the nation is looking to California for leadership on this issue.
In a post 9-11 world, illegal immigration is more dangerous than ever. And yet, legal immigration is no less important to America’s economic success. If the next great inventor lives in India, China or Mexico today, we should welcome that inventor coming to America legally to create jobs and prosperity here. If a segment of our economy has a shortage of American workers, then we should look across our borders for guest workers who can help American businesses succeed by working here legally, but without full U.S. citizenship. Finally, our doors should always be open to honest and well-intentioned people facing the terror of political oppression in their homelands. Closing our doors to legal immigration would be counter to everything our nation stands for.
But our nation also stands for the rule of law. Our porous borders have allowed millions of illegal immigrants to live in our country. Most are hardworking people who chose to break the law to find a better life for themselves and their families. Sadly, some are here for criminal reasons, like smuggling drugs.
to continue reading fallow the link http://egpnews.com/?p=19391
Posted by Max Felipe
Republican candidate Fiorina questions the Federal government
It’s no secret that California Senate candidate Carly Fiorina supports Arizona’s law which requires that law enforcement check the status of anyone they suspect of being an illegal immigrant. However now the republican is crowing that the federal government engaged in political posturing when they made the decision to sue the state over this law.
Fiorina is now asking the question why the federal government is not suing San Francisco over a policy they put into place over 20 years ago.
To read more, click here.
[Posted by Emma Mederos]
Fiorina is now asking the question why the federal government is not suing San Francisco over a policy they put into place over 20 years ago.
To read more, click here.
[Posted by Emma Mederos]
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
A New Age is Dawning (comedy video)
Comedy is sometimes an effective way to combat stupidity. See this satiric video by the Latino Comedy Project here.
[posted by Prof. Montejano]
[posted by Prof. Montejano]
Monday, July 12, 2010
Does California have an immigration law just like Arizona's?
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Arizona's controversial new immigration law is angering some in the Golden State.
Some, however, say California already has a law on the books that's almost like the one Arizona just passed.
That comparison has been hitting the blogs and websites, and Kern County District Attorney Ed Jagels has heard about the debate.
To read more, click here.
[Posted by Emma Mederos]
Some, however, say California already has a law on the books that's almost like the one Arizona just passed.
That comparison has been hitting the blogs and websites, and Kern County District Attorney Ed Jagels has heard about the debate.
To read more, click here.
[Posted by Emma Mederos]
Cypress councilman Luebben calls for vote to support Arizona immigration law
The Cypress City Council tonight will talk about whether to support Arizona’s new, tough immigration law - and condemn California cities that don’t. It's the third time in as many meetings that the city council has batted around the proposal.
One of the resolutions by Cypress City Councilman Phil Luebben criticizes Los Angeles, Santa Ana and other California cities that back an economic boycott of Arizona over its new immigration law. The other resolution would have Cypress join Yorba Linda, Orange, Costa Mesa and Rancho Santa Margarita as a so-called “Rule of Law” city.
To read more, click here.
[Posted by Emma Mederos]
One of the resolutions by Cypress City Councilman Phil Luebben criticizes Los Angeles, Santa Ana and other California cities that back an economic boycott of Arizona over its new immigration law. The other resolution would have Cypress join Yorba Linda, Orange, Costa Mesa and Rancho Santa Margarita as a so-called “Rule of Law” city.
To read more, click here.
[Posted by Emma Mederos]
For immigrant employers in L.A., EEOC begins training seminars on U.S. anti-discrimination laws
By Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times
July 11, 2010
Many immigrants in the L.A. workforce are ignorant of U.S. laws protecting them from racial bias and sexual harassment.
Buoyed by increased funding under the Obama administration, federal officials in Los Angeles are boosting efforts to educate immigrant communities about U.S. laws against racial bias and sexual harassment.
The Los Angeles regional office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has tripled the number of investigators from eight to 24 in the last year, hiring people fluent in Korean, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Portuguese and American Sign Language.
To keep reading click here
[posted by Max]
July 11, 2010
Many immigrants in the L.A. workforce are ignorant of U.S. laws protecting them from racial bias and sexual harassment.
Buoyed by increased funding under the Obama administration, federal officials in Los Angeles are boosting efforts to educate immigrant communities about U.S. laws against racial bias and sexual harassment.
The Los Angeles regional office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has tripled the number of investigators from eight to 24 in the last year, hiring people fluent in Korean, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Portuguese and American Sign Language.
To keep reading click here
[posted by Max]
Thursday, July 8, 2010
In California, Facing Illegal Immigration
By RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD
NY Times. Published: June 18, 2010
In the closing days of the Republican primary in California, Meg Whitman vowed to get tough on illegal immigrants, and in a radio commercial even brought out a big gun, a former governor, Pete Wilson. He is known for his advocacy of Proposition 187, a 1994 initiative that sought to deny public services to illegal immigrants. It was blocked by a federal court, but remains a sore point with Latino voters. Now, after winning the primary, Ms. Whitman reveals her opposition to the proposal in new Spanish-language television commercials, and embraces concerns dear to Latinos.
---
ACCURACY: It is a matter of dispute whether Ms. Whitman’s position on illegal immigration is “crystal clear.” The only thing clear is the ads were aimed at different audiences. California already bars driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants, and prohibiting illegal immigrants from attending state-funded colleges is likely to be a tough sell to the Democrat-controlled Legislature. As for the new ad, Ms. Whitman did speak out against the new Arizona law, which gives local police authority to seek the deportation of illegal immigrants, but she did not mention that position in any primary ads. When Proposition 187 was passed, Ms. Whitman was not living in California but she said last year that she would have voted against it.
For full article click here.
For youtube video of Whitman campaign ad click here.
[Posted by Kathy Vega]
NY Times. Published: June 18, 2010
In the closing days of the Republican primary in California, Meg Whitman vowed to get tough on illegal immigrants, and in a radio commercial even brought out a big gun, a former governor, Pete Wilson. He is known for his advocacy of Proposition 187, a 1994 initiative that sought to deny public services to illegal immigrants. It was blocked by a federal court, but remains a sore point with Latino voters. Now, after winning the primary, Ms. Whitman reveals her opposition to the proposal in new Spanish-language television commercials, and embraces concerns dear to Latinos.
---
ACCURACY: It is a matter of dispute whether Ms. Whitman’s position on illegal immigration is “crystal clear.” The only thing clear is the ads were aimed at different audiences. California already bars driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants, and prohibiting illegal immigrants from attending state-funded colleges is likely to be a tough sell to the Democrat-controlled Legislature. As for the new ad, Ms. Whitman did speak out against the new Arizona law, which gives local police authority to seek the deportation of illegal immigrants, but she did not mention that position in any primary ads. When Proposition 187 was passed, Ms. Whitman was not living in California but she said last year that she would have voted against it.
For full article click here.
For youtube video of Whitman campaign ad click here.
[Posted by Kathy Vega]
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