Digital Story

Visit the address below to view my digital story on immigration.  I wanted to create an emotional aspect to this project and a final summary of my findings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFPzw8Ph_tY



What now? 
I plan on continuing this blog in the future to reflect on volunteer experiences.  I will be moving to Flagstaff, Arizona in July and I've already made a few contacts with some volunteer agencies I can get involved with.  I'd like to take more time to do service that I didn't quite get to during my undergraduate career.

Service is really important to me in order to stay humble, remember the privileges I have in life and help others.  I am not sure where my Spanish career will take me, but I'm sure excited.  Volunteering will add more to this blog so I can get a first hand experience of what some immigrants are going through; especially in Arizona.

I can't wait to travel as well! In a few years, I plan on visiting a country in South America, still deciding where I want to go.  I want to be completely selfless and put my entire self in the life of South America. What do those citizens experience every day? I'd like to compare regions, economic differences, cultural, spiritual, food, everything!

This is only the beginning. Although this blog was a brief introduction to even more information, I gained exposure and a deeper interest of the Hispanic population.

Volunteer Agencies

Other places to help around the Whitewater area

• Whitewater High School/School District - ESL Program & LINCS
• Janesville ESL Program
• St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Whitewater
• Delavin-Darian School District
• Literacy Network - Madison & Dane County
• Bilingual Receptionist, Childcare volunteers 
• Catholic Multicultural Center - Madison
• Wisconsin ESL Institute: WESLI
• Conversation Partner
• Domestic Abuse Intervention Center (DAIS)
• Interpreter
• United Way - VITA (Tax Preparation)
• La Casa de Esperanza - Waukesha

Jefferson County Literacy Council

Although my time is almost finished at UW-Whitewater, I hope to pass on some volunteer opportunities to future students.

An agency in the Whitewater area that has opportunities for student help is the Jefferson County Literacy Council.

Mission and Vision

The mission of the JCLC is to develop a better community through literacy. 

Demographic 

JCLC serves adults with literacy challenges, which includes immigrants trying to learn English or who are studying for the Citizenship exam. They also serve native adults who are learning more skills in math or perhaps preparing for their GED. 

Needs

Some of the more current needs are directly related US economic conditions and current job market.  Many adults are finding a need for higher skills training so they can be qualified for positions.  For example: JCLC has begun a computer keyboarding program.

With respect to immigration, the Latino population may face some challenges and understanding of the US culture they're currently living in.  JCLC teaches parents of school aged children English using a platform of school culture.

Another thing JCLC provides is a Civics Program which teaches adults about the resources in the local community as a platform for teaching English. 

Spanish Volunteer Opportunities!

For future students who are looking for volunteer opportunities, JCLC offers a few great programs that allow students to dive into the action and get involved. 

• JCLC is in need of Advanced Spanish Students to aid in extensive written translation.  
• Students could sign up for a 12 hour training course and become a tutor for adults with literacy needs.  For Spanish students, there is an opportunity to work with a Latino adult who may need your help. Since there is a 12 hour training, JCLC recommends dedicating 2 semesters towards this volunteer option so students can gain the full experience.
• Family Routed In Reading is a pre-emergent bilingual literacy program for 3-5 year olds.  Spanish students could enroll in a 1 hour training course which can lead towards volunteering.  Students can help with 1 family night or several!
• Lastly, JCLC is looking for interested student groups to help fundraise and spread awareness of the JCLC mission! JCLC staff are willing to provide the background information for student volunteers.  This opportunity would be greatly appreciated and would be a great philanthropy project for any student group!

The JCLC home page: http://www.jclc.us

Naturalization Test

Instructions/What information is asked of permanent residents looking to naturalize?

• Once a person reaches all the requirements listed in the last blog post, he or she can fill out the Form N-400 to apply for citizenship. 
• The person must know/have their USCIS (INS) number ready and available. This number is from a person's Permanent Resident Card (Alien Registration/Green card). This number consists of 7 digits and is entered into the top right area of every page on the Form N-400.
• The form is divided into 14 part

Part 1 - Your Name

• Your current legal name from birth certificate
• Your name as it appears on your Permanent Resident Card (If different from your legal name above.)
• Any other names you have used
• Name change (Optional) - The courts allow you to change your name when you become naturalized. This does not become final until the courts officially finish the naturalization process. 

Part 2 - Your Eligibility 

Simply check the box that signifies you are eligible.

Part 3 - Your Information

• US Social Security Number
• Date of Birth
• Date you became a permanent resident 
• Country of birth
• Country of nationality
• Citizenship of parents
• Current marital status
• Request for disability waiver
• Request for disability accommodations

Part 4 - Information About Contacting You

• Home address
• Mailing Address
• Telephone numbers

Part 5 - Information for Criminal Records Search

• The FBI will use this information and your finger prints to search for criminal records 
• The results of this search may affect your eligibility, but race, gender, or physical description do not.

Part 6 - Information About Your Residence and Employment

• Write every address you've lived in over the past 5 years
• List everywhere you've worked. If you are a student, list the schools you have attended.

Part 7 - Time Spent Outside of the US

• Write the total number of trips and days spent outside the country

Part 8 - Information about Marital History

• Number of times you've been married
• If you're married now, add information about your current spouse
• Indicate if your spouse is a US citizen
• If your spouse is naturalized, give dates and details

Part 9 - Information about Your Children

Part 10 - Additional Questions

Part 11 - Your Signature 

Part 12 - Signature of person who prepared application for you

Part 13 - Signature at Interview

Part 14 - Oath of Allegiance

Part 15 - General Requirements

• Must submit two identical passport style photographs

FACTS

The filing fee is $595

For more information visit:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/n-400instr.pdf

Becoming a United States Citizen

There are many advantages of US Citizenship

• Right to vote
• Reunite with family in the US
• Obtain citizenship for children born abroad 
• Ability to travel into and outside of the US freely
• Collect benefits
• Become a federal employee
• Become an elected official 

In order to be a US Citizen, you must meet certain requirements either at birth or after birth.

At Birth

• Have been born in the US or in certain US territories that are subject to US jurisdiction.
• Have parents who were legal US citizens at the time of your birth.

After Birth

• Apply for derived citizenship through parents
• Apply for naturalization 

Naturalization 

Requirements
-Must be 18 years or older
-Be a permanent resident for a certain length of time (Usually 5 years)
-Be a person of good, moral character
-Have a period of continued residence and physical presence in the US
-Be able to read, write and speak basic English (Some exceptions)
-Understand and be knowledgeable of basic US history, and US citizens' rights and responsibilities.


When to apply
When at least 18 years and have been a permanent resident of the US for

1. 5 years
2. 3 years and married to a US citizen
3. While honorably serving for the US military for at least 1 year

How to apply

-File an application form N-400 Application for Naturalization 

-Submit supporting immigration and naturalization documents to prove that you meet residency and visa requirements

All information was found from sites below, visit for more information:

-http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/B3en.pdf

(UCIS  B3. Customer Guide - How do I apply for U.S. Citizenship?)

-http://www.us-immigration.com/cart/category/us-citizenship.html

Immigration Status for Students

Focus Question: Should public school districts be checking for the immigration status of students  as a part of the application process for enrollment?

I found an article from the New York Times: U.S. Warns Schools Against Checking Immigration Status. 
Written by Kirk Semple 2011

Many schools have begun asking for immigration papers as a prerequisite to enrollment. Some schools even asking prospective students to reveal their citizenship or immigration status. How uncomfortable! 





For example: In New York, of the 139 school districts, 20% were requiring children's immigration paperwork as a prerequisite for enrollment.


“We have become aware of student enrollment practices that may chill or discourage the participation, or lead to the exclusion, of students based on their or their parents’ or guardians’ actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status,” said the memo, from Justice and Education Department officials. “These practices contravene federal law.”


This leads to a great fear for illegal immigrants. The requirements cause illegal families to avoid enrolling their children because could lead to being reported to federal authorities. 


In Arizona, state lawmakers have considered a bill that would require the state’s Education Department to determine the number of public school students who are unable to prove lawful presence in the United States




Supreme Court Decision 1982
Recognizes the right of all children, regardless of immigration status, to attend public school as long as they meet the age and residency requirements of the state law. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/07/education/07immig.html

Wisconsin Immigration Law

http://tinyurl.com/7debzyq

After learning a little more about Alabama Immigration Laws, and how similar they are to Arizona Immigration Laws, I wanted to see how Wisconsin relates. The URL above links to the FindLaw website.  I looked for Wisconsin legislation that relates to immigration status of an individual.  

Law Enforcement and Immigration in Wisconsin 

There is a federal program called "Secure Communities" which focuses on protecting communities.  US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) limits resources to those who have been arrested breaking criminal laws. Secure Communities is a way to carry out ICE's practices. 

In Wisconsin, anyone who is arrested will be fingerprinted and their identity will be run through a federal database to check for a criminal record and immigration status. 

Employment & Immigration 

Wisconsin participates in the Employment Eligibility Verification process.  Employers must complete the I-9 forms within three days after hiring an employee.  The employee is required to fill out a form, releasing basic information such as:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Social Security number

Employer must then verify that the employee has presented documentation confirming his or right to work in the U.S.

E-Verify Requirements

E-Verify is "an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, data from the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility". Wisconsin has no E-Verify requirement. 

Driver's License/ID Requirements

Wisconsin residents must present documentation proving identity, date of birth and U.S. citizenship or legal residence .

Public Benefits Restrictions

The federal law states that illegal immigrants are prohibited from receiving most public benefits.  But, in Wisconsin illegal immigrants are allowed to receive emergency services, health care and other programs that are deemed "necessary to protect life and safety."

Education Checks

Wisconsin does not seek information to reveal immigration status of children applying for enrollment in public schools. 

Voting Rights

Wisconsin does have a strict rule for voting.  A voter must present one of the following: 

• Wisconsin Driver's License/ State ID
• Military ID
• U.S. Passport
• Green Card
• Tribal ID
• Student ID

Housing Ordinances and Immigration 

No Wisconsin participation 

Reactions

After comparing some states with respect to the level of "strictness" immigration laws can be, I continue to be in the middle.  I can understand the need for E-Verify, yet at the same time, find it to be extremely in depth to prove that someone is not an illegal immigrant. The questions I gathered from  the E-Verify section are: 

What have been the consequences in WI of not participating in E-Verify? 

After writing the article about the tomato farmers, and knowing there are illegal workers in Wisconsin, what would happen to the Wisconsin State Economy if E-Verify were to be used in WI? How would this effect unemployment? 

I agree with the ID requirements, I feel that you should have some sort of identification.  This area to me would help the legal employment rate; if you need to present some sort of legal documentation get an ID, then the employer could simply ask for your ID. 

I also am happy that WI doesn't seek information of children during their application process for enrollment into public schools. (More information: Next Blog).  Leaving the immigration status of the parents out, I feel the consequences of not educating ALL children would be very high! This is the first step in the immigration transition of helping the children of the future become citizens.  It breaks the cycle.  If the children of immigrants have the same amount of work ethic their parents do, the opportunities and possibilities for these children are endless! They can help towards a better future and maybe towards helping their home communities.