Posts Tagged ‘Immigration’

Study: Global Migration Boosts Economy

// September 18th, 2008 // No Comments » // Immigration

A new study by the Center for International Migration and Integration (CIMI), a department of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) finds that the migration of people from their birthplace to an alternative country is greater than ever before and helps build up a strong global economy,

Publish in the Jerusalem Post on September 09, 2008:

According to the statistics collected by CIMI, which worked together with the Immigrant Absorption Ministry, there are currently 192 million immigrants worldwide, some three percent of the population.

In addition, the study found that the global flow of people to different nations creates surprising economic benefits and generates roughly $315 million worldwide a year.

“In contradiction to widely held opinions that immigration is a financial burden on a country, even experience here in Israel shows the benefits new immigrants can have on a nation,” said Arnon Mantver, JDC-Israel’s director-general and Chairman of CIMI.

Day 2 – The REAL democratic National Convention vs. the Police State

// August 26th, 2008 // No Comments » // Anti-Capitalism, Gender, Human Rights, Politics

One after another, the women leaders of the Democrat National Party took center-stage on Day 2. The roster included Governor K. Selebius, Senator Mary Landrieu, Senator Claire McCaskill, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Senator Maria Cantwell, Governor Napolitano, and finally Hillary Clinton rounded up the day. The subliminal message was clear–women stand to gain more from a Barack Obama Presidency than a McCain one.

Yet, none of the women senators pointed out the gross injustice and violation of human and constitutional rights happening against women just outside their closed tent of the DNC–Code Pink (a women for peace group) supporters were among the many protesters holding a non-violent demonstration that were beaten and pepper-sprayed by cops. They were delegates that were unseated and unheard at the convention. Quite democratic, no?

DNC Rules Protest by andycarvin.

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Critique of Borders – Canada no longer visible from Derby Line, Vermont

// August 25th, 2008 // 2 Comments » // Gender, Immigration, Nationalism, Political Theory

Since this site is called ‘No Borders and Binaries,’ lets revisit the philosophy behind that term. The creation of a bordered world is a deliberate attempt to divide, contain and isolate communities, to forget about arbitrary and ‘disorderly’ origins, in order to create a ‘more ordered, more secure world’–an impossible goal. See the case of Derby Line in Vermont below.

One library, two countries by Soul of Beer.

The border fence between Canada and America in Derby Line, Vermont is spreading hatred and discontent among residents. The United Press International reports:

Derby Line, which has a shared library with the neighboring Canadian community of Stanstead, has had lettering painted on three side streets: “Canada” on one side, “U.S.A.” on the other. Then came an influx of U.S. Border Patrol agents who chased motorists who ignored signs telling drivers to use official entry points.

The Washington Post (NYSE:WPO) reported Sunday that there was a proposal last year to erect fences on the town’s small streets to officially barricade the United States from Canada.

“They’re stirring up a little hate and discontent with that deal,” said Claire Currier, who grew up in the border area. “It’s like putting up a barrier. We’ve all intermingled for years.”

See NPR for more coverage of this issue.

The residents are told that it is a matter of national security, that our borders are porous, that terrorists could enter the border through these unsecured places. It doesn’t seem to matter that the people living in harmony across the border, intermingling often, don’t like the idea of a fence that would create barriers amongst them, deny them access to golf clubs, libraries, shopping malls and other activities they share together. And then there are those that think that Vermont should belong to Canada.
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U.S. Government Wrongfully Detaining Citizens and Tourists

// August 23rd, 2008 // No Comments » // Gender, Human Rights, Immigration, Racism

I came across an outrageous article today that reminded me of a caller I spoke to when I staffed the National Lawyers’ Guild 9-11 Hotline. He was a dual-citizen of Bulgaria and the United States who was apprehended by Homeland Security at the San Francisco Intl. Airport for practically no reason (His name was probably on the DHS ‘watch list’ again for no particular reason). Homeland Security sent him paperwork to fill-out a few weeks later where he had to answer nonsensical questions such as “What is the purpose of your dual citizenship?” and “What country are you more loyal towards, Bulgaria or the United States?” Needless to say, the guy was frustrated, confused and enraged at this treatment–He is a U.S. citizen!

The case below is not of a U.S. citizen but involves a German of Syrian descent whose wife and children are U.S. citizens nonetheless. He was mistreated and detained by U.S. Immigration officers. Who knows how many stories from other citizens, immigrants and tourists never made it to press.

(Does anyone scoffing need to be reminded of the Italian tourist that was wrongfully detained because Immigration officers had no interpreters that could translate Italian)?

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Rendered Stateless – Girl Without a Country

// July 22nd, 2008 // No Comments » // Education, Immigration

Alexander (Allie) Mulhivill, 16, is the latest victim of a rigid and heartless immigration system that often does not work. And no–she is not an “illegal alien.” Allie was adopted by U.S. citizens, Lori and Scott Mulhiville, when she was 2 years old from Guatemala. For the past 14 years, the Mulhivills have been trying to get a visa for Allie without any luck. And time is running out for her as Allie turns 16 and becomes another DREAMer who cannot work, vote, drive legally, travel abroad, get financial aid for college because the USCIS is not willing to give her a visa.

All this is because 15 years ago, the U.S. Embassy failed to verify that the woman giving Allie up for adoption was her birth mother–from the get go they allowed Allie to be adopted but did not grant her a visa because later they suspected baby trafficking. Allie continues to be in immigration limbo even as her adoptive parents fight to keep her in the United States but she risks deportation when she turns 16. Would readopting her do the trick? Government officials give no guarantee–they are still stuck on their baby trafficking scenario even without any hard evidence. Keeping Allie and her family in a state of permanent limbo based on unproven hypothesis is cruel and inhumane.

When the Mulhivills asked government officials how they could keep their daughter, USCIS was particularly unhelpful and told them they “simply cannot ignore the law. We strongly urge the Mulvihills to provide evidence showing their daughter is eligible for permanent residency.”

Having almost given up on attorneys and government officials after years of making the rounds, the Mulhivilles are appealing to the public. This problem could be taken care of if the federal government passed the DREAM Act. What do other government officials say when asked for advice?

“We asked a gentleman from the state department after months, we said, ‘What is going to happen to Allie if you don’t allow her to come here?’ He said, ‘You have legally adopted her. She’s going to go to an orphanage and you must pay for this.’ He said, ‘We’re going to put her back on the garbage heap she came from.’ Yeah, this is how we were spoken to by our government,” Lori Mulvihill said

Allie is keeping optimistic despite her limbo immigration status. “I want to be able to have a job, drive, be able to vote, everything else other people take for granted. I’ve been here for 14 years I haven’t done anything wrong,” Allie Mulvihill said.

We hope for the sake of Allie and her family, her immigration issue is resolved soon and she does not face deportation away from her family. In the meantime, there is always the DREAM Act.

Adoption Timeline Key events in Allie’s adoption process:

October 1993: Guatemala approves adoption for Scott and Lori Mulvihill.

December 1993: U.S. Embassy denies the Mulvihills’ baby a visa because of suspicion of baby trafficking.

Aug. 23, 1994: With then-U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno’s intervention, the Mulvihills’ baby arrives in the United States on two-year humanitarian parole.

1996: The Mulvihills first try to apply for citizenship for Allie.

May 2001: The Immigration and Naturalization Service denies Allie citizenship.

March 22, 2005: The Mulvihills meet with director of immigration services in Philadelphia and are told citizenship would be granted if they get DNA from Allie’s birth mother.

2007: Guatemala approves a treaty requiring uniform procedures for international adoptions.

August 2007: Guatemalan police raid adoption home run by two people who worked on Allie’s adoption; arrests follow.

May 2008: Guatemalan attorney general puts 2,286 pending adoptions on hold as authorities investigate.

Aug. 18, 2008: Allie turns 16 and will no longer be considered an orphan by immigration services.

Source: Allentown Morning Call and the AP

Step Backwards – USCIS closes offices in Tijuana

// July 21st, 2008 // No Comments » // Immigration

On one hand, the ICE and concerned Americans are pressing for a crackdown on “illegal immigration” and on the other hand, USCIS is making legal migration from Mexico much tougher by permanently closing offices in Tijuana. Obviously, this move is contradictory to resolving the problem of “illegal immigration” into the United States.

The Sun reports:

The office has provided a location for foreign nationals, especially citizens of Mexico, to begin the immigration process to the United States by obtaining needed information and materials. Americans in our area who are assisting relatives who want to immigrate to our nation or get necessary documentation have also used the Tijuana office.

Mexican citizens and even Americans making use of the office in Tijuana would be further discouraged from pursuing legal avenues of migration. USCIS is already plagued with inefficient paper bureaucracy, lack of communication and inadequate services–closing down offices is not the solution to resolving immigration issues with our neighbor and major trading partner. With a strong borderlands culture and connection to the United States, Tijuana serves as a major source of migrant workers into the United States. Instead of closing offices, more services should be provided to ensure legal channels of immigration.

Read more here

Deportation of Classmate sparks Immigration Teach-in

// May 21st, 2008 // No Comments » // Immigration

6-8th graders at St. Bernard School in Wisconsin learned more about the painful side of deportation when one of their classmates–Miriam–was deported to Mexico.

The students were quite unaware of immigration policies and had questions. Some expressed their closeness to Miriam and were saddened by her absence from the school.

“For me it was kind of difficult,” said Jasmin Torres. “This is my first year here and she was like the only person I knew when I got here. It just made it a lot harder coming to school without her.”

Elle Bellisle attended St. Philip the Apostle School with Miriam before it closed two years ago. “When it closed down we came here,” she said. “She was like the only one I hung out with.”

The teach-ins led by an immigration counselor from Catholic Charities was eye-opening for the students. Many expressed that they had no idea that it took about 14 years to immigrate to the United States, or immigrants who seeked asylum because they feared persecution in their country.

It is heartening to see the Catholic Church on the right side of the immigration debate, promoting understanding and education instead of intolerance and hatred. Teaching kids about the painful side of the immigration debate at an early age builds tolerance and understanding of the matter. It also helps to form a stronger community and enable kids to be helpful and pro-active.

The entire story is here.

Immigration Control a Lucrative Business

// March 20th, 2008 // No Comments » // Anti-Capitalism, Immigration

Undocumented migrant workers are making big business in America a lot of moolah, and not only by cutting down the costs of production. The Corrections Corporation of America, Wackenhut Corrections Corporation, and other smaller corporations that are part of the privatizing prisons industry stand to gain billions monthly from the detention of 'illegal immigrants.'

The boom in the crackdown of undocumented workers makes more sense when we consider profit-making as part of the equation. The 'build it and they will come' philosophy is stronger than ever. Just today, Corrections Corporation of America announced plans to build another mega-prison in San Diego, citing lack of space and facilities at the already existing San Diego Correctional Facility less than 2 miles away. Given the numerous costs to taxpayers as ICE pays billions per month to these private companies, the gross violation of human rights and inadequate healthcare in existing detention centers, how can jailing undocumented workers for indefinite periods without due process of law be a feasible option? When it fills the coffers of corporations and feeds into the gigantic prison-industrial complex, anything is feasible.

I like the picture by the CorpWatch artist. "Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" and we can scapegoat them, and put them in detention centers to make profit for corporations.

Check out this article – Jailing Immigrants for Profit for more information.

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