New York, February 2010
The United States Immigration Newsletter
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Volunteers Help Immigrants Apply for Citizenship
 Washington, D.C.:
More and more volunteers and non-profit organizations throughout the U.S. are assisting residents in applying for U.S. citizenship. Some community organizations, non-profit organizations, and/or groups of volunteers are offering free, or very low cost classes aimed at assisting individuals desiring to attain U.S.
citizenship. The curriculum includes reviewing the questions on the U.S. civics and history portion of the citizenship exam, as well as reviewing the paperwork and forms that are necessary to complete a U.S. citizenship
application. “Centro Hispano” is an example of a non-profit organization that provides educational classes to local immigrants. Centro Hispano offers an 8 week course that covers U.S. history and civics, as well as an overview of the required paperwork necessary to apply for citizenship. Many individuals who take advantage of the services find them very helpful and that the class provides knowledge that couldn’t be attained simply from studying alone. In addition, many instructors also find the class rewarding. As an instructor at Centro Hispano stated, "It's really fulfilling teaching people that really want to learn.”
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Idaho Targets Employers Who Hire Undocumented Immigrants
 Boise, ID:
Politicians in Idaho are currently reviewing legislation which would punish employers who hire
illegal immigrants. Several bills are currently being considered—two which would offer relatively strict punishments, while the third offers a less severe consequence. Two of the bills being considered would suspend the licenses and pose hefty fines of employers who knowingly hire someone not authorized to work in the United States. Another bill that is being considered charges the employer with a misdemeanor, but would not revoke their business license. The varying bills have received mixed reviews, with most dairy and construction industries disliking all of the bills, as they have a tendency to rely heavily on immigrant labor. Critics of the bills also point out that by revoking a business’s license will only further hurt Idaho’s declining economy. Another point of view that is held is that only federal legislation can alleviate the employment of
illegal immigrants, and that “employers are not immigration officials.”
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Number of Chinese Immigrants Applying for EB5 Visa on the Increase
 Los Angeles, CA:
The EB5 Visa has become increasingly popular with Chinese immigrants, according to data revealed by the Beijing Entry and Exit Service Association. The EB5 Visa, also called the
investment visa or
green card, requires the applicant to invest a minimum of $500,000 into a U.S. business. In exchange, the investor is eligible for permanent residency for themselves as well as their immediate family. The EB5 Visa program is open to applicants from almost any country. Interestingly, as of last year, the number of Chinese applicants increased 50% and went from 500 applicants in 2008 to 1000 applicants in 2009. The main reasons for Chinese citizens to participate in the EB5 investor visa program include the desire to become involved in new business opportunities and to offer more educational opportunities to their children.
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Utah Divided When it Comes to Allowing In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
 Salt Lake City, Utah:
Currently, undocumented
immigrants who have graduated from a Utah high school are eligible to pay in-state college tuition rates. In-state tuition rates are generally markedly cheaper than out-of-state rates, and enable state residents to have an affordable college education. However, according to a recent poll, approximately 47% of individuals living in Utah want to repeal the existing
law, so that undocumented immigrants have to pay out of state of tuition prices if they desire to go to college. A member of anti-immigration group called “Save Utah” stated, “It’s unfair to give in state tuition to the kids who are from undocumented families,” especially considering how universities are facing budget cuts and caps on tuition enrollment. Others site how education not only helps individuals but helps societies by lowering crime rates and contributing to the economy, and that punishing students would be a gross disservice.
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Costs of teaching English Learning Student on the Rise
 San Bernadino County, CA:
San Bernardino County, located in California, recently estimated that it costs about $34 million dollars annually to teach non-English speakers. The state has seen a high rate of
immigration for the past 15 years, which is the source of the increase in cost. The majority of the money goes towards hiring bilingual staff, purchasing bilingual materials, and training teachers to teach English. Residents offer mixed comments about the increasing costs. Steve Knight, a Republican county Assemblyman states “A lot of parents came here illegally with their children or had children
born here. It's creating a huge burden on the state," Conversely, a member of the Board of Education for San Bernadino County claimed, "Taxpayer money is being put to good use because the funding will provide an educated workforce." Statistically, in San Bernardino County one of 5 students is English as a second language student, with Spanish as the predominant first language.
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ICE Makes Drug Trafficking and Gang Arrests
 Milwaukee, WI:
A nationwide investigation lead to the arrests of 21 people nationwide who are believed to have ties to drug
smuggling and gangs. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted the sweep. The operation, called “Project Big Freeze” took place in over 80 cities across the country. 12 of the 21 arrested are citizens
of
Mexico who are in the U.S. illegally. The leader of a powerful Mexican gang was also among those arrested. The undocumented immigrant from Mexico had many prior arrests; including drug related charges as well as a charge for attempting to flee from law enforcement. A special agent from ICE commented, "Street gangs pose a growing public safety threat to communities throughout the Milwaukee metropolitan area.”
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UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION SUPPORT
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