The Dream Act

A recent survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation studied the public opinion for the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act is a federal legislation that would provide undocumented students brought to the U.S. as children with the opportunity to earn permanent legal status upon meeting certain requirements.

The results from the survey showed 70% of Americans favor the DREAM Act an increase in support compared to results from a similar 2004 poll which placed public support at 58%. Perhaps another small step a more peaceful strategy towards the immigration issue. Would you support this act?
For more detailed report: DREAM Act report

After all is said and done..

This week for class we are giving a 5 minute presentation on our topics, my being Immigration. We must present from our topic is anything we learned from our experience and research. And it got me thinking well after researching and reading polls focusing around laws, views, and variety of effects immigration has on a country, what truly have I learned about immigration? And for the longest time I was having a hard time choosing what I was going to discuss. Until I found my answer after editing my paper. That first immigration is inevitable, that all countries deal with the migration of different cultures. And what I learned is how this issue is compared across states. Going through how different countries are being viewed by their desirability, the graph below is one of the ones I'm going to use in my presentation. 

Coming of Age: Between Two Worlds

America is known for being a melting pot. From the Pew Hispanic Research Center recently released a new study "Between Two Worlds: How Young Latinos Come of Age in America is an article covers how Hispanics are the largest and youngest minority group in the United States. To break down this statement, think of it this way, 1-in-5 school children is Hispanic. 1-of-4 newborns is Hispanic. We are looking at the next generation of the young minority group who will in one way or another help shape America in the coming 21st century. But wait there's more.

The following report focuses on Hispanics who are between the ages of 16 to 25 in which the path to adulthood is starting to becoming a clear path, from high school, college, and setting out into the "real world."

Unfortunately for them they are caught between two 'real world' or two different cultures, in which they live in America  yet they are Latin American. The report covers the attitudes, values, social behaviors, family characteristics, economic well-being, educational attainment and labor force outcomes of this next generation. In the graph below shows the survey done by the Pew Hispanic Research Center survey.

The article goes more into depth of the findings but basically the data gives a mixed picture. While the young Latinos are satisfied with their lives and optimistic about their futures; they are still much more likely than other American youths to drop out of school and become teenage parents.
According to the Pew Hispanic Center's National Survey of Latinos, more than half (52%) of Latinos ages 16 to 25 identify themselves first by their family's country of origin, be it Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador or any of more than a dozen other Spanish-speaking countries. An additional 20% generally use the terms "Hispanic" or "Latino" first when describing themselves. Only about one-in-four (24%) generally use the term "American" first.
It focuses on the issue of Identity and Assimilation: This nation has a history of immigration assimilation, its more than economic or social dimensions it also has a psychological dimension. Over the course of several generations immigrant family loosens its sense of identity of their old world and binds to the new one. When divided amongst cultures it is easy to loss sense of being caught between keeping the old traditions yet learning the new ones. What do you think?

If your interested in reading more here is a link for a full report: Between Two Worlds

America a land of unfulfilled dreams?

In a recent released Gallup study of U.S. Hispanics showed a result of 1 in 7 or  an estimated 4 million U.S. Hispanics would migrate permanently if given the opportunity. With about 2 million adults saying they would move to countries such as Mexico (32%), Canada (8%), Spain (8%), and the United Kingdom (5%) shown below is the graph of Hispanic adults in the U.S. whom are mostly likely to move permanently.

 

         The results were based on interviews conducted in 2009, focusing on U.S. Hispanics born in the U.S., born outside the U.S., U.S. overall, and finally Latin America overall. What was interesting to see was the U.S. Hispanics born in the U.S. of those who would like to migrate was 12% but for U.S. Hispanics born outside the U.S. responded with 18% would like to migrate. Which raises the question, "If America is having such an issue of a high percentage of people wanting to immigrant into America, why have some already given up on the dream?"

        

From the research Gallup has come up with some potential answers. First potential migrants who are less integrated are worse off economically.  Meaning for those who have been born outside of America are caught between two worlds, in which they are only comfortable with other Hispanics, feel more discriminated against, and who also don't speak English very well. 

       

Which causes the second problem of affording healthcare for themselves and their families. And while they live in the land of the free U.S. Hispanics who would like to migrate feel as though they are not enjoying the benefits, and are ready to give up on the dream in order to move somewhere new for other opportunities. What do you think?

For more information: Four Million U.S. Hispanics Would Like to Migrate Permanently

Also if you would like to complete a survey contact: SocialandEconomicAnalysis@gallup.com

President Obama reaches out to the Youth through MTV

On Thursday Oct.14th President Obama addressed the nation's youth during "A Conversation With President Obama,"  a live broadcast which aired commercial free on MTV, BET, and CMT.

President Obama touched on many divisive policy issues such as 'don't ask, don't tell', health care, and immigration. One of the audience members actually stood up and told her story of the complications surrounding legal immigration:

"An audience member, who moved here from Colombia as a teenager, got emotional when speaking about how her three-year wait for a green card is complicating her ability to see her 92-year-old grandmother for "a last time." In response to her story, the president explained his administration's efforts to streamline legal immigration for people with the potential to greatly contribute to this country"

President Obama responded by saying there is controversy in confronting the issue of accelerating the process of legal immigration while also curbing the stream of potential terrorists from overseas and securing the  U.S.'s southern borders from violent gangs. But it is a focus of his [President Obama's] team to find solutions in order to make the experience of coming to the States a faster process to citizenship. What do you think? Can a fast process to citizenship exist without bureaucracy tangling up the process and is it in the best interest in America to find one soon?

If your interested in seen the video you can watch the initial address here: "A Conversation With Obama"
Here he addressing Illegal Immigration: "President Obama Discusses Illegal Immigration" 
Another address which is better quality: "Obama Speaks on Issue of Immigration"

Youth vs. Brains

From Gallup recently released this study which focused on the amount of youths migrating to different countries and comparing their numbers to the amount of educated persons also migrating. One of the studies looked at different percentages of developed regions whom are more likely to attract younger people than educated people. Australia overall have the highest potential net migration at 155%, with Youth having the highest percentage at 271% v. the 186% potential net brain gain index. Potential Net Migration Index created by Gallup is three indexes to gauge the likely changes to the population if people who say they would like to migrate permanently actually move where they want. Higher the score the larger potential for net population gain. But another interesting result showed that the US is more likely to attract the less educated with Canada ranking highest in both net brain potential and youth. What do you think? Would you rather have more brain or youths and is this important for countries to consider when thinking of tightening borders?

Immigration Reform: 1 on 1 really getting to the issues

Today in one of my classes we had a speaker, named Sonny Garcia, come in who works for Illinois People's Action. He wanted to share some of his insight on what it was like to be a part of an organization set on empowering those with no knowledge of their rights and doing something about it. The speaker was an former student of ISU and actually organized marches during the 2006 Immigration Reform was at the peak height of interest. Since then he became a part time organizer for Illinois People's Action telling us about what it was like going to community to community asking leaders within the Latino community was some main issues were. That by going around the community doing one on one interviews he was able to first establish the main issues ailing the community. From there he taught us that by first educating, creating situations of 'what it so and so changed' and through empowerment small changes occurred within the community. He noticed that while education, health care, jobs, and police with racial profiling all of these issues were symptoms of a broke down immigration reform problem. What do you think? Is America creating more issues for itself by having such a strict Immigration Reform?

Some exciting news pieces from Nov. 2nd elections

tv 25
Exit polling article
These are two articles covered from the elections Nov. 2nd 

Election 2010 Nov. 2nd

Come out and vote November 2nd, 2010!!!!!!
Where? Anywhere your registered
Why? Why not, let your vote count this year!!
For this year as part of my class assignment we will be going out doing exit polls, we'd love to see your results!!
See you all at elections!! (if you go to ISU or are registered in McLean County for everyone else happy voting)

Hispanics split when it comes to Illegal Immigration

The Pew Hispanic Center released this study which showed a visible division amongst Latinos when it comes to illegal immigration. The groups are divided of those who were born in the U.S. or immigrated here legally versus the illegal immigrants. From the graph below one  can see where the divisions lie.

From the graph you can see 53% of a small minority believe illegal immigrants should pay a find but not deported with 28% saying they shouldn't be punished, and 13% saying they shouldn't be deported at all.
Others are divided about the impact illegal immigrants have on Hispanics already living in the U.S. Those who said the impact was positive was 29%, 31% said there was a negative impact and 30% said they made no difference. Close numbers but with the negative impact being higher shows a clear division amongst the Hispanic community. Yet there has also been other points of agreement for example when it comes to enforcement of policies and proposals. Very interesting to see how even within a minority group where divisions arise from. What are your thoughts?

"12 million people stimulus bill" project: good idea for the economy?

From the Huffington Post check out This article about a revolutionary idea of bringing all illegal immigrants into the economy for many advantageous reason. One being a boost to help raise wages, increase consumption, create jobs, and generate additional tax revenue. And I'm quoting the finds from the Center for American Progress report   who stated, "Taking the experience of IRCA as a starting point, we estimate that comprehensive immigration reform would yield at least $1.5 trillion in cumulative U.S. gross domestic product over 10 years".
Also another  study undertaken for the Federal Reserve found a positive effect immigration has on an economy, net inflow of immigrants equal to 1% of employment increases income per worker by 0.6% to 0.9%. This implies that total immigration to the United States from 1990 to 2007 was associated with a 6.6% to 9.9% increase in real income per worker. That equals an increase of about $5,100 in the yearly income of the average U.S. worker in constant 2005 dollars. Such a gain equals 20% to 25% of the total real increase in average yearly income per worker registered in the United States between 1990 and 2007. This kind of information almost calls for action on the part of U.S. to not only stop fighting invisible borders but open them. What are your views?

Arizona Immigraton Law

Interesting how the student body of Arizona State University is reacting to the Immigration law. Arizona student's reaction how what are your thoughts and or reaction?

Upcoming elections

Today I was on CNN's website looking through their polling center and found some very interesting numbers for the upcoming elections specifically how the American people think bout the issue of illegal immigration. The first poll was American's stance on Dems the second poll looked at Republicans win control of Congress if American's think they would improve illegal immigration. Seems like the American people don't hold much confidence in the Dems who knows perhaps America will turn to the Republicans now or maybe not but this upcoming elections seems to have some close running polls between the Dems and Reps. What are your views?

Taking a closer look at the 14th amendment

In the last post I mentioned from the survey from Gallup the American people want to re-look at the Constitution which grants automatic right to citizenship to anyone born in the U.S. This is also known as the 14th amendment adopted in 1868. I researched a little more about this topic and found on From an article on PewRearch Center Publications a few surveys done to A) look at the percentages of those children with U.S. born parents v. Unauthorized parents and B) how much these numbers have increased over time. The article even goes to mention prominent elected officials wanted to repeal the birthright citizenship, arguing that it serves to attract more illegal immigrants to the country. Take a look and let me know your thoughts on this, more information to come in the following weeks!!

Interesting Questions

In this article Pollingreport  looks at different polling reports some from CBS, Pew Research, Quinnipiac University Poll., CNN and other good polling sites. All asking questions like if children born by illegal immigratns should still have automatic citizenship like all other children or should the Constitution be changed? How about your thoughts on this?

Borders are they necessary?

This week I am designing a poll focusing on illegal immigration. The purpose that I am trying to find in the poll I designed to find if the states are safer with securing/closing their borders or if migration of the masses are good for the economy? Any thoughts are welcome

Valuing both aspects of Immigration is it really a clear cut picture?

Hello Monday,
In these past week I have been searching through some articles focusing around the American's public feelings towards immigration to see if the numbers of how people are polling is the 'real' feelings of Americans or if insincerity is misrepresenting some public polls. When I say insincerity, I mean people do not have a real opinion one way or another when it comes down to asking  One poll I came across seemed to scream insincerity. Here is the link 
The question itself is "Thinking about the issue of immigration, do you think the federal government's top priority should be securing the country's borders, or passing new immigration legislation, or should both be done at the same time"
Now I wont even go into how the polling was done which was through the telephone PLUS fox news was the primary pollster signaling a bias towards conservatism. Yet majority of the respondents said both. A clear indication that many really didn't have a strong opinion one way or another if the federal government's top priority is securing the country's border or even passing new legislation. But majority simply said both. For me this looked like many of the respondents used the easy 'both' as a real opinion yet it seemed more of a middle ground leaning towards not really having an opinion at all. What are your thoughts? Is this an example of insincerity or does the American public really want both as plausible solutions for illegal immigration?

Labor day weekend with an interesting twist

Hey there folks! Hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend!! I actually have an interesting story for everyone. I had went to a music festival in Chicago called Northcoast, one of my favorite artist Benga was playing. Unfortuntely he was unable to play or even show up because he was being held at the border. Benga is a dubstep producer from London, however instead of playing in Chicago on Saturday he was stopped at the border for a reason not told to us other than a problem with immigration. I thought it was interesting that at a music festival that I got to see my issue happening right then and there. Check back for more interesting stories and articles!

An interesting view

Hey guys, I was reading through the Gallup site on some new articles and found one which is from the American's view of Immigration. Check it out n lemme know what you think.
The link is below:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/23623/Americans-Views-Immigration-Growing-More-Positive.aspx

Gallup: a different perspective

From the site Gallup, the link in shown below this blog, there were a few polls which surprised me and some which I thought were interesting to see. First I was kind of surprised of how far back the beginning graph went started in 1966. Also below the graph some of the headlines caught my eye as well, first being the Full National Adult Trend in which the majority of the population tended to see immigration as decreasing from 2009-2010. Another trend which caught my interest was the one concerning minority right and relation in which both Non-Hispanics, Blacks, and Hispanics had a say if their right had increased, decreased, or stayed at the present level. The majority percentage was caught between the present level to decreased meaning all three categories agreed that rights and relations has not increased from 2001-2008. While it is not surprising to people realizing how much of their rights are being ignored and not fully recognized by the law, an example being the current debate in Arizona’s own legislation on immigration, it is hard to see those recognize this problem yet allow laws to even come to pass that racial profile and discriminate against minorities. Especially when the next polling asks if immigration is a good thing or bad thing the majority percentage said it was a good thing. Which brings to question to why there is so much debate? Why are the Hispanics in states like Arizona, Texas, and Utah getting so much negative media coverage?


These are the questions I asked myself after seeing some of the polling done on the Gallup website and ones which can be hard to answer because there are no simply answers. But come back again to this blog to see whether or not a middle ground exists between the natives and illegal immigrants.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/1660/Immigration.aspx#1

Is the country taking steps forward or going backwards?

Immigration. The word itself is a hot-bed for much controversy, especially in States like Arizona, Utah, Texas, and Florida along with many other southern states. Each of these states has created new policies against illegal immigrants flooding into their borders from surrounding countries. While countries like Canada have been under scrutiny, Latin American countries received heavy media coverage. With the ability to receive a job, free medical services, and an education, there is hope of a desirable life versus being oppressed and living in poverty; it is a life many people outside of America cannot help but flee to. Immigration is also a popular issue amongst the two parties with the Republicans being very vocal about tightening the borders, and the Democrats not far behind proposing their own solution. The real question is does a fair solution for a completely closed border even exist? Or will enforcing the law turn into racial profiling and discrimination? Check back for more updates on up and coming new policies from the two major political parties.

The reason behind my choice
To be an active citizen it is important to knowledgeable about the current issues going on in the world today. This blog is required as an assignment for one of my political classes in which we are trying to study and understand the current debated issues. This is not about saying one side is right or to say immigration is wrong but simply an opportunity to learn.