Showing the Positive Side.
Last night I followed a link to a website "Immigration History Research Center" (http://www.ihrc.umn.edu/index.php?entry=65370) from the College of Liberal Arts, U of M. The front page made reference about how good news very seldom makes the front page but the only immigration news we read is bad news.
As I read and scroll down the page they are talking about the positive and good news from Guiford County, North Carolina working to foster cross-community understanding with a link to their website. Further down the page talking about the upper Midwest and their unique reasons for trying to bridge the cultural gap between long-time natives and newcomers with a link to the startibune.com. Another story about Worthington and the positive things happening there, and a story about Girl Scouts and their story on the adaptation to life in their new environment and ending with a story about Intermarriage between older and newer Americans.The piece ends with them being unsuccessful in finding much media attention to this phenomenon and the reader must be willing to dig deeper.
In the middle of these stories it was suggested that Minnesota readers might also want to check out this Faribault Blog that you're reading. I am very proud and humbled to be part of this very positive story. We as a Faribault Diversity Coalition have tried since it's conception to be positive and be sensitive to all people. Thank you IHRC for showing the positive side of Immigration news and discussing both sides.
The IHRC has one of the largest and most important collections of materials documenting U.S. immigration and refugee life to be found anywhere in the world. I highly recommend you checking this out. Go to links on the right side of this blog.
Thanks, Milo
Sowers of Seeds
Submitted by Greg Caron
Have you ever looked at yourself as the sower, a generous sower that threw the seed every where, on the field road, on the line fence where there are rocks, thorn bushes and trees, and on the tilled soil?
Well I think we should, I will give you an example:
There was a clothing drive for the needy, anyone could bring clothes and anyone that needed clothes could get them. (These people are the seed sowers) God used this occasion ! The place where the clothes were being brought to was a business. A mother brought her little girl in a couple days before the opening date and asked if she could go through the clothes to get some clothes for her daughter, she had no mittens, hat or coat and it was cold outside. She was given permission to go through the clothes. They found mittens, a hat, and a nice warm coat. She looked adorable in them with her big smile.
There are people kind of on the fence about this clothes drive "for those people". The little girl melted their hearts. In other words she tilled the soil so the seed could take root. The people that gave these clothes probably don't know that they sowed some seeds, but they did, and so did the people that were responsible for organizing the clothing drive.
Thank you and God Bless, Greg Caron
Foldcraft Foundation Grant
Submitted by Bob Kell
On behalf of the Foldcraft Foundation Board of Directors, I am pleased to report that the Foundation Board has authorized a grant to the Faribault Diversity Coalition in the amount of $5,000 for the Welcome Center Immigrant Empowerment Project. We were impressed with the scope of this program and the Faribault Diversity Coalition’s unique ability to provide it.
In the application of its resources to serve the public interest, Foldcraft Foundation gives high priority to the realization of equality of opportunity for all members of society. Accordingly, it is the Foundation’s expectation that in administering this grant your organization will take appropriate affirmative action steps with respect to women and persons of color.
Dennis Blackmer
Treasurer, Foldcraft Foundation
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Sometimes it's the simple things...........
Sometimes it's the simple things that really count. I think at times we try too hard.
Last week, a mother brought her 6 year old daughter, wearing only a light sweatshirt, into the printshop looking for a coat that would fit her, a day before the temperatures would fall into the single digits.
A warm smile came over their faces as they waded through the mountains of clothing that for the past 2 weeks people from all over Faribault had been bringing in for the "Warm Clothing Drive". The Drive was organized for newcomers coming into the city from warm climates, little knowing how cold it can get here, or for people that don't have the means to afford warm coats, mittens, gloves or boots.
Fifteen minutes later the petite little girl, adorned in her new pink down coat, new hat, scarf and glove combination (which someone bought at the Woolen Mills for this drive) walks out the door, lighting the day with her big grin. (By the way, they came back Saturday to help set-up and work with people receiving the clothes.)
There were similar stories like that throughout the day on Saturday when over 100 people came--large families, young couples, and also older people. People came wearing light coats, sweatshirts, and no mittens, and left after browsing for an hour with warm bodies and brighter hearts.
We learned a lot about people during this drive. When Bob Kell made a flyer and put the notice in the paper, he made reference to how our Scandinavian ancestors coming from the old country in the 1800's warned family and friends planning to immigrate to Minnesota to "bring warm clothes." Minnesota winters still present challenges to new arrivals, especially those who come from climates much more moderate then ours. People brought in clothes daily for two weeks, many telling of their ancestors moving here. Some wanted to give the clothes to someone rather then sell them at a garage sale or see them being sold at a Second Hand shop. Some people who didn't have anything to bring, went out and bought new clothes just to give from their hearts.
There are many huge hearts in this town: Carol, seeing the article in the paper came in three half-days to sort and organize the clothes (She now wants to come to the Welcome Center and volunteer), Aseneth, Graciela, Greg, Hashi, Armando, Nora, Coral, Bob and myself lent a hand Saturday. And we can't forget Mario-- a teenager who helped all Saturday morning, greeting people, translating, organizing, and entertaining us with his modeling of coats and hats. All made this a wonderful project.
We can't forget to especially thank all the wonderful people who brought in the clothing with words of encouragement; the many business who gave, especially Faribault Woolen Mills who donated ten beautiful woolen blankets; the BlueCross/Blue Shield Foundation for making it possible to do this gesture, Buckham Library for letting us use their space again, and many others.
We are bombarded with negative news about the war in Iraq, immigration, social injustices etc., so it's nice to be part of something that from start to end leaves people with a light heart. We don't have to always solve the major problems. Maybe once in awhile all we have to do is put a warm coat and a smile on a little child.
Have a gentle day, Milo
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Dispelling the Myths About Immigrants
MYTH: Immigration is a drain on the U.S. economy.
FACT: Immigration grows the U.S. economy. An estimated 17.9 million immigrants are currently working in the U.S.—accounting for 14% of the total civilian labor force (1). Compared to the native-born, a significantly higher percentage of immigrants are of working age (between 28 and 54 years of age) (2). Immigrants are just as likely to be self-employed and start new businesses as the native-born. They generate employment, and bring new innovations and creative diversity to our communities. Additionally, new immigrants often take positions that U.S. workers are less likely to fill – in manufacturing, computer technology, service work, and engineering. These immigrants help keep the U.S. internationally competitive and give U.S. businesses a more global perspective—an outlook that is becoming increasingly necessary in this era of globalization.
MYTH: Immigrants abuse the Social Security and welfare systems.
FACT: While all immigrants pay taxes, only refugees, asylees, and some legal immigrants are eligible to receive any public benefits. Those who are eligible for benefits are subject to time limits. Undocumented persons are not eligible for any public benefit programs (3). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 1999, approximately one in five foreign-born householders received benefits such as food stamps and housing assistance (4). This use, however, is heavily concentrated among refugees and elderly immigrants – populations we are committed to and legally obligated to assist. Furthermore, immigrants are large contributors to—rather than recipients of—Social Security, and will play an integral role in financing Social Security as the U.S. population ages. A study in 2005 found that undocumented immigrants pay $6-7 billion in Social Security taxes alone that they will never be able to claim (5).
MYTH: Immigrants cause urban problems.
FACT: The U.S. Census Bureau reports that “the foreign-born population is more concentrated than the native population in metropolitan areas and in their central cities” (6). However, areas that receive new immigrants are most often transformed and revitalized by these newcomers. Dominican immigrants revitalized Washington Heights in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and an array of new arrivals revitalized Nicollet Avenue (“Eat Street”) and Lake Street in South Minneapolis. These examples are repeated hundreds of times across the country. According to the Alexis de Tocqueville Institute, a study carried out over an 18-year period in Washington D.C. revealed that there is a positive correlation between the number of immigrants in a neighborhood and increasing property values. As one real-estate agent put it, with immigration “there goes the neighborhood—up” (7).
MYTH: There is a higher percentage of immigrants in the U.S. now than ever before in U.S. history.
FACT: Although the actual number of immigrants currently living in the U.S. continues to grow, when considered as a percentage of the population, the levels are not as high as they have been in the past. Currently, about12% of the U.S. population is foreign-born (8). However, between 1890 and 1910, about 15% of the population was foreign-born (9).
Currently, about two-thirds of immigrants settle in six states: California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, and New Jersey (10). European immigrants—historically a large portion of immigration to the U.S—today make up 14% of newcomers; 52% come from Latin America; 27% come from Asia; and 6% from other parts of the world (11). In 2004, the top ten countries of immigration to the U.S. were: Mexico, India, the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Cuba, and Korea (12).
MYTH: The United States is being overrun with illegal immigrants.
FACT: The estimated number of illegal aliens living in the U.S. ranges from 10 to 11 million (13). Even the highest estimate accounts for less than 4% of the U.S. population. Many people that currently do not have legal permission to reside in the country did, in fact, enter legally. Experts estimate that between 25-40% of all undocumented immigrants came legally to this country and became illegal by remaining here after their visas expired (14).
MYTH: Most immigrants to the United States are illegal, undocumented aliens who come only for economic reasons.
FACT: According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 946,142 immigrants were legally admitted to the U.S in FY2004. This number includes both people who were adjusting their status and new arrivals. Smaller numbers of people came to the U.S. without legal permission (15). It is estimated that a net average of 500,000 people came annually in the last decade.
U.S. immigration policy allows immigration for three main reasons: 1) family, 2) work, and 3) freedom – in that order. Of the immigrants coming legally to the U.S. in 2004, 66% came to be reunited with immediate family members (parents, children, siblings, or spouses), 16% were sponsored by U.S. employers to fill in positions for which no U.S. worker was available, and an additional 8% came as refugees or asylees, fleeing persecution and looking for safety and freedom in the U.S (16). Undocumented people come for a variety of reasons. We often talk about these reasons in terms of “push” and “pull.” “Push” factors are the reasons at home that cause someone to leave – examples include poverty, lack of job opportunities, natural disasters, and political instability. “Pull” factors are the reasons elsewhere that cause someone to arrive – examples include increased freedom, job opportunities, and joining family members. Like generations of immigrants before them, all of these immigrants come to this country looking for a better life, and their energy and ideas enrich all of our communities.
Sources of Information
(1) Urban Institute. “A Profile of the Low-Wage Immigrant Work Force.” 2002. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://www.urban.org/publications/310880.html.
(2) "Profile of the Foreign Born Population in the United States: 2000.” U.S. Census Bureau. Dec, 2001. Accessed Feb. 06 from: http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/p23-206.pdf.
(3) Levinson, Amanda. "Immigrants and Welfare Use." Migration Policy Institute. August 2002. Accessed Feb. 06 from: http://www.migrationinformation.org/USFocus/display.cfm?ID=45. The only situation where an undocumented person may receive assistance is in the case of a health- or life-threatening emergency.
(4) “In 1999, 21.2% of households with foreign-born householders participated in … means-tested programs.” “Profile of the Foreign Born Population in the United States: 2000.” U.S. Census Bureau. Dec, 2001. Accessed Feb. 06 from: http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/p23-206.pdf.
(5) Capps, Randy and Fix, Michael. “Undocumented Immigrants: Myths and Reality.” The Urban Institute and the Migration Policy Institute. Oct, 2005. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://www.urban.org/publications/900898.html.
(6) “Profile of the Foreign Born Population in the United States: 2000.” U.S Census Bureau. Dec, 2001. p. 16. Accessed Feb. 06 from: http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/p23-206.pdf.
(7) “There Goes the Neighborhood – Up” by Bronwyn Lance, Margalit Edelman & Peter Mountford through the Alexis de Toqueville Institute. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://www.adti.net/imm/neighborhood_execsumm.html.
(8) U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2004, Table 1.1a. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://uscis.gov/graphics/shared/statistics/yearbook/YrBk04Im.htm.
(9) Historical Census Statistics on the Foreign-born Population of the US. 1850-1990” Gibson & Lennon. US Census Bureau Feb 1999. Accessed Feb. 06 from: http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0029/twps0029.html.
(10) Passel, Capps, and Fix. “Undocumented Immigrants: Facts and Figures.” Urban Institute Immigration Studies Program. 2004. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/1000587_undoc_immigrants_facts.pdf.
(11) U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2004, Table 3.1a. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://uscis.gov/graphics/shared/statistics/yearbook/YrBk04Im.htm.
(12) Migration Policy Institute. “Global Data Center.” 2004. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://www.migrationinformation.org/GlobalData/countrydata/data.cfm.
(13) Capps, Randy and Fix, Michael. “Undocumented Immigrants: Myths and Reality.” Urban Institute and Migration Policy Institute. Oct, 2005. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://www.urban.org/publications/900898.html.
(14) Ibid.
(15) U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2004, Table 5. Accessed Jan 06 from: http://uscis.gov/graphics/shared/statistics/yearbook/2004/table5.xls.
(16) Ibid.
From: Minnesota Advocates For Human Rights
FACT: Immigration grows the U.S. economy. An estimated 17.9 million immigrants are currently working in the U.S.—accounting for 14% of the total civilian labor force (1). Compared to the native-born, a significantly higher percentage of immigrants are of working age (between 28 and 54 years of age) (2). Immigrants are just as likely to be self-employed and start new businesses as the native-born. They generate employment, and bring new innovations and creative diversity to our communities. Additionally, new immigrants often take positions that U.S. workers are less likely to fill – in manufacturing, computer technology, service work, and engineering. These immigrants help keep the U.S. internationally competitive and give U.S. businesses a more global perspective—an outlook that is becoming increasingly necessary in this era of globalization.
MYTH: Immigrants abuse the Social Security and welfare systems.
FACT: While all immigrants pay taxes, only refugees, asylees, and some legal immigrants are eligible to receive any public benefits. Those who are eligible for benefits are subject to time limits. Undocumented persons are not eligible for any public benefit programs (3). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 1999, approximately one in five foreign-born householders received benefits such as food stamps and housing assistance (4). This use, however, is heavily concentrated among refugees and elderly immigrants – populations we are committed to and legally obligated to assist. Furthermore, immigrants are large contributors to—rather than recipients of—Social Security, and will play an integral role in financing Social Security as the U.S. population ages. A study in 2005 found that undocumented immigrants pay $6-7 billion in Social Security taxes alone that they will never be able to claim (5).
MYTH: Immigrants cause urban problems.
FACT: The U.S. Census Bureau reports that “the foreign-born population is more concentrated than the native population in metropolitan areas and in their central cities” (6). However, areas that receive new immigrants are most often transformed and revitalized by these newcomers. Dominican immigrants revitalized Washington Heights in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and an array of new arrivals revitalized Nicollet Avenue (“Eat Street”) and Lake Street in South Minneapolis. These examples are repeated hundreds of times across the country. According to the Alexis de Tocqueville Institute, a study carried out over an 18-year period in Washington D.C. revealed that there is a positive correlation between the number of immigrants in a neighborhood and increasing property values. As one real-estate agent put it, with immigration “there goes the neighborhood—up” (7).
MYTH: There is a higher percentage of immigrants in the U.S. now than ever before in U.S. history.
FACT: Although the actual number of immigrants currently living in the U.S. continues to grow, when considered as a percentage of the population, the levels are not as high as they have been in the past. Currently, about12% of the U.S. population is foreign-born (8). However, between 1890 and 1910, about 15% of the population was foreign-born (9).
Currently, about two-thirds of immigrants settle in six states: California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, and New Jersey (10). European immigrants—historically a large portion of immigration to the U.S—today make up 14% of newcomers; 52% come from Latin America; 27% come from Asia; and 6% from other parts of the world (11). In 2004, the top ten countries of immigration to the U.S. were: Mexico, India, the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Cuba, and Korea (12).
MYTH: The United States is being overrun with illegal immigrants.
FACT: The estimated number of illegal aliens living in the U.S. ranges from 10 to 11 million (13). Even the highest estimate accounts for less than 4% of the U.S. population. Many people that currently do not have legal permission to reside in the country did, in fact, enter legally. Experts estimate that between 25-40% of all undocumented immigrants came legally to this country and became illegal by remaining here after their visas expired (14).
MYTH: Most immigrants to the United States are illegal, undocumented aliens who come only for economic reasons.
FACT: According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 946,142 immigrants were legally admitted to the U.S in FY2004. This number includes both people who were adjusting their status and new arrivals. Smaller numbers of people came to the U.S. without legal permission (15). It is estimated that a net average of 500,000 people came annually in the last decade.
U.S. immigration policy allows immigration for three main reasons: 1) family, 2) work, and 3) freedom – in that order. Of the immigrants coming legally to the U.S. in 2004, 66% came to be reunited with immediate family members (parents, children, siblings, or spouses), 16% were sponsored by U.S. employers to fill in positions for which no U.S. worker was available, and an additional 8% came as refugees or asylees, fleeing persecution and looking for safety and freedom in the U.S (16). Undocumented people come for a variety of reasons. We often talk about these reasons in terms of “push” and “pull.” “Push” factors are the reasons at home that cause someone to leave – examples include poverty, lack of job opportunities, natural disasters, and political instability. “Pull” factors are the reasons elsewhere that cause someone to arrive – examples include increased freedom, job opportunities, and joining family members. Like generations of immigrants before them, all of these immigrants come to this country looking for a better life, and their energy and ideas enrich all of our communities.
Sources of Information
(1) Urban Institute. “A Profile of the Low-Wage Immigrant Work Force.” 2002. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://www.urban.org/publications/310880.html.
(2) "Profile of the Foreign Born Population in the United States: 2000.” U.S. Census Bureau. Dec, 2001. Accessed Feb. 06 from: http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/p23-206.pdf.
(3) Levinson, Amanda. "Immigrants and Welfare Use." Migration Policy Institute. August 2002. Accessed Feb. 06 from: http://www.migrationinformation.org/USFocus/display.cfm?ID=45. The only situation where an undocumented person may receive assistance is in the case of a health- or life-threatening emergency.
(4) “In 1999, 21.2% of households with foreign-born householders participated in … means-tested programs.” “Profile of the Foreign Born Population in the United States: 2000.” U.S. Census Bureau. Dec, 2001. Accessed Feb. 06 from: http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/p23-206.pdf.
(5) Capps, Randy and Fix, Michael. “Undocumented Immigrants: Myths and Reality.” The Urban Institute and the Migration Policy Institute. Oct, 2005. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://www.urban.org/publications/900898.html.
(6) “Profile of the Foreign Born Population in the United States: 2000.” U.S Census Bureau. Dec, 2001. p. 16. Accessed Feb. 06 from: http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/p23-206.pdf.
(7) “There Goes the Neighborhood – Up” by Bronwyn Lance, Margalit Edelman & Peter Mountford through the Alexis de Toqueville Institute. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://www.adti.net/imm/neighborhood_execsumm.html.
(8) U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2004, Table 1.1a. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://uscis.gov/graphics/shared/statistics/yearbook/YrBk04Im.htm.
(9) Historical Census Statistics on the Foreign-born Population of the US. 1850-1990” Gibson & Lennon. US Census Bureau Feb 1999. Accessed Feb. 06 from: http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0029/twps0029.html.
(10) Passel, Capps, and Fix. “Undocumented Immigrants: Facts and Figures.” Urban Institute Immigration Studies Program. 2004. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/1000587_undoc_immigrants_facts.pdf.
(11) U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2004, Table 3.1a. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://uscis.gov/graphics/shared/statistics/yearbook/YrBk04Im.htm.
(12) Migration Policy Institute. “Global Data Center.” 2004. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://www.migrationinformation.org/GlobalData/countrydata/data.cfm.
(13) Capps, Randy and Fix, Michael. “Undocumented Immigrants: Myths and Reality.” Urban Institute and Migration Policy Institute. Oct, 2005. Accessed Jan. 06 from: http://www.urban.org/publications/900898.html.
(14) Ibid.
(15) U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2004, Table 5. Accessed Jan 06 from: http://uscis.gov/graphics/shared/statistics/yearbook/2004/table5.xls.
(16) Ibid.
From: Minnesota Advocates For Human Rights
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