Immigrant Issues / Public News Service

Nearly 60% of Connecticut's almost 113,000 undocumented immigrants do not have access to any form of health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Day of action focuses on CT undocumented residents' health care needs

Today, Connecticut health care advocates are holding a student day of action. They will speak to state lawmakers about raising the age limit for …

The United Nations reported security threats in Haiti have forced the closure of some 900 schools, depriving approximately 200,000 children of their right to education. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

MA Haitian-led groups call for end to deportations as terror grips island

Haitian-led groups in Massachusetts are calling for a temporary pause in deportations as political instability and violence engulf the island…

Michigan hosts the largest population of Arab Americans in the country, and Dearborn is home to the country's only Arab American History Museum. (flowertiare/Adobe Stock)

New US race, ethnicity standards include Middle Eastern, North African

Until recently, many Americans of Middle Eastern or North African descent were categorized as "white" in government surveys, making it challenging to …

The Texas Diversity Council works with various groups to foster environments where people from marginalized groups feel seen and heard. (Ana Baraulia/Adobe Stock)

Texas Diversity Council remains steadfast in face of adversity

Since 2004, April has been designated "Celebrate Diversity Month," a time to recognize, understand and honor the differences between people. One …

As of Oct. 2023, the average teacher salary was $68,000 a year, which is 8% less than the average for U.S. workers overall. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

University of Texas El Paso targets teacher shortage

It's estimated that nearly half of all schools in the country don't have enough teachers. To help change that, the University of Texas in El Paso …

As of 2020, roughly 29 million eligible voters did not have a non-expired driver's license and more than 7 million lacked any other form of non-expired, government-issued photo identification, according to the nonpartisan group VoteRiders. (Adobe Stock)

NH House passes strict voter ID bill allowing registration challenges

The New Hampshire House passed a bill to eliminate any exceptions to the state's voter ID law and requires documented proof of citizenship in order to…

New York has the fourth-largest backlog of immigration cases in the U.S. It comes behind Florida (488,223 cases), Texas (387,792 cases) and California (355,459 cases). (Adobe Stock)

NY advocates want immigrant legal services bill passed

Legislation in Albany would create the first right to counsel for people in immigration court. The Access to Representation Act would provide …

Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling allows Texas to begin enforcing Senate Bill 4, calling the decision a

Texas’ SB 4 in limbo again after late-night court decision

Story has been updated to reflect late-night 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision.(8:01 a.m. MST, Mar. 20, 2024) The U.S. Supreme Court handed …

American teachers in training trek through Tijuana on their way to visit a school as part of a trip to foster cross-border understanding. (Rick Froehbrodt/SDSU)

Aspiring bilingual teachers cross the border to gain insight

Immigration is a hot-button issue these days, but people studying to become bilingual teachers at one California university are making an effort to …

States such as Colorado, Minnesota and Washington have improved access to health care for immigrants. The programs are seeing great results in reducing disparities the migrant population faces in accessing health care. (Adobe Stock)

NY Legislature includes ‘coverage for all’ in Senate, House budgets

Both chambers of the New York state Legislature have included coverage for all legislation in their respective budgets. The bills would update the …

It's estimated that more than 1 million immigrants live in Georgia. (Adobe Stock)

GA advocates rally against legislation aimed at immigrants

Advocates for immigrants gathered at the Georgia State Capitol this week, urging lawmakers to stop legislation they see as potentially harmful…

Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello received both the Beazely Award and the International Award for their project

ABQ museum installs teeter-totter from U.S.-Mexico border wall

An art installation intended to jump-start social commentary about the treatment of immigrants has found a permanent home in Albuquerque. In 2019…

Arizona lawmakers battle it out over immigration proposals

The Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature has passed a number of bills that some immigration advocates are calling "SB 1070 2.0." Senate Bill 1231…

Texas's effort to opt out of the federal immigration system and create its own rules has been blocked by a federal judge. (MaxSafaniuk/Adobe Stock)

Texas' battle over right to arrest suspected illegal immigrants will continue

A law aimed at immigrants crossing the border in Texas will not take effect tomorrow, after a federal judge halted enforcement until a court battle …

In a recent NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll, 57% of Americans, including 84% of Democrats and 55% of independents, think America's openness to people from all over the world is essential to who we are as a nation. (Adobe Stock)

NV experts, leaders weigh in on immigration this election cycle

As members of Congress and presidential candidates battle it out over immigration, a group of Nevada leaders and experts dedicated to advancing …

Missouri's Senate Bill 1314, similar to House Bill 2365, prohibits funds from being expended by any state department for interdepartmental programs, staffing or other initiatives associated with

New report reveals high economic risk of anti-DEI laws in Missouri

A new report finds some Missouri laws and prospective laws are perceived as discriminatory regardless of their actual intent - and it outlines some bi…

Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer, a farmer in northern Indiana, says the United States has 1.3 billion acres of farmland but 40 million acres is owned by foreign countries. (Adobe stock)

Proposed IN law prohibits US adversaries from buying farmland

Legislation aimed at stopping U.S. adversaries from owning farmland in Indiana will be argued before the full state Senate today. Rep. Kendell Culp…

The Council on American-Islamic Relations estimates there are about 2.2 million American Muslim voters in the U.S., up from its previous estimate of almost 1.79 million. (pressmaster/Adobe Stock)

Primary results: Are Michigan Dems committed to 'uncommitted?'

More than 100,000 people voted "uncommitted" in Michigan's presidential primary. What happens next will be, at least in part, up to President Joe …

Organizations working for fair treatment of immigrants and refugees in Iowa are pushing back on state legislation they argued would discriminate against migrant communities. (Adobe Stock)

Groups push back on Iowa lawmakers' 'anti-immigrant' measures

Immigrants' rights advocates are pushing back on a flurry of bills in the Iowa Legislature they said would create discriminatory policies targeting mi…

During the 2004 general election, Arizona voters approved Proposition 200, which requires

AZ leaders and businesses speak out against immigration proposal

Rep. Ben Toma, R-Peoria, Speaker of the Arizona House, has introduced legislation with hopes to curtail illegal immigration and save Arizonans big in …

In a 2024 report, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce Foundation pointed to the importance of legal immigrants for improving Nebraska's ongoing workforce shortage. (Moab Republic/Adobe Stock)

ACLU: Due process rights violated in Omaha immigration courts

Immigrants whose cases are heard in Omaha's Immigration Court are often denied their due process rights, according to a report from the ACLU of …

Practical Farmers of Iowa now has a full-time Spanish Engagement Outreach Coordinator to assist the growing number of Latino farmers in the state. (Adobe Stock)

High demand prompts IA farm group to increase Spanish-speaking services

A rural advocacy group has invested in reaching out to Spanish-speaking farmers in Iowa - a population that has grown dramatically. There has been …

New immigrants arriving in Massachusetts can expect to earn a median wage of about $24,000 per year, according to a report by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. (Adobe Stock)

Report: New immigrants adding to MA economy, workforce

A surge of new immigrants in Massachusetts is currently straining the state's emergency shelter system and budget but a new report found they will bri…

More than half of Dearborn's nearly 110,000 residents are of Middle Eastern or north African origin.(munir/Adobe Stock)

Many Dearborn residents reconsider voting for Biden in upcoming election

Biden administration officials traveled to Dearborn on Thursday to meet Muslim and Arab-American community leaders, in an effort to repair relations …

With the 2024 presidential race in full swing, immigration policy, especially dealing with the southern U.S. border, has reemerged as a key issue. (Adobe Stock)

Undercurrent of immigration myths felt as Congress debates border plan

It remains unclear if a border security proposal in Congress will cross the finish line and as the controversy continues, a group in Minnesota feels …

Between 2000 and 2019, the number of immigrants in Utah increased by 63.7%, while the U.S.-born population grew by 36.9%, according to the American Immigration Council. (Eduardo Barraza/Adobe Stock)

UT Gov. visits southern border over 'public safety issue'

After a trip to Texas to visit the southern border, Gov. Spencer Cox expressed concern, calling the situation a public safety issue. Cox joined 14 …

Forty workers at an agricultural packing shed at Battleboro Produce in North Carolina are now part of a union. (courtesy of Farm Labor Organizing Committee)

NC union agreement ushers in benefits for immigrant ag workers

Immigrant workers at an agricultural packing shed in Battleboro, North Carolina are celebrating a union agreement which will bring them new benefits…

Latinos account for 47% of agricultural field workers and 46% of construction laborers in the U.S. and face extreme summer heat threats due to climate change. (JackF/Adobe Stock)

Climate change challenging Latinos' health and heritage

As climate change makes extreme weather events more common globally, Latinos often face the most significant effects to their health, safety…

Laborers marked a decade of Farmworkers Tribunals in Olympia in 2023. (Community to Community Development)

Farmworkers Tribunal provides 'critical' platform in Olympia

Washington state farmworkers are converging on Olympia this week to call for better working conditions. The 11th annual Farmworkers Tribunal is …

The number of people granted asylum in the United States has more than doubled, from 16,628 in 2021 to 36,615 in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

MLK Day online forum highlights difficulties of asylum system

Today, a virtual "Ask Me Anything" program will address some of the pressing issues of asylum-seekers, in Pennsylvania and across the country…

The U.S. Supreme Court has previously ruled that immigration laws can only be enforced by the federal government. (diy13/Adobe Stock)

Lawsuits mount over Texas' plan to jail illegal immigrants

Texas is the epicenter of the U.S. immigration debate, and now faces a lawsuit over plans to jail those whose enter the state illegally. The U.S…

The Health4All coalition has pushed for many years for full-scope Medi-Cal for all income-eligible Californians regardless of immigration status. (Health4All Coalition)

Medi-Cal immigration status exclusion ends Monday

Starting Monday, California becomes the first state to cover health care for all income-eligible people regardless of their age or immigration status…

According to the Illinois General Assembly, at least 318 new pieces of legislation will go into effect in 2024 that will impact every area in the state. (Adobe Stock)

New IL laws usher in policy changes in health care, employment, policing

At the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, Illinoisans will see more than 300 new laws take effect - with changes that impact the state's …

Pascal Charpentier's immigration status only became an issue when he had to show proof of citizenship to get a driver's license. Without a passport, birth certificate or naturalization certificate, he applied for a green card, which listed his native country as Haiti. (Adobe Stock)

New Yorker faces ICE deportation, despite being U.S. citizen

Pascal "Shakoure" Charpentier was born on an army base in Germany and has called New York City home for three decades, but he might not be able to …

Following participation in a guaranteed income pilot program, 12% of rural New Mexico families said their child was on track to complete their grade level. (Fernanda/Adobe Stock)

NM cash-assistance program eased hardships for immigrant households

A new report from the nonprofit advocacy group New Mexico Voices showed a guaranteed cash assistance program designed for immigrants improved work and…

In a statement, Edward Mitchell, CAIR's national deputy director, said

Hawley criticized for heated questioning of Muslim American judicial nominee

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has drawn fire for his questioning of the first Muslim American judicial nominee. Hawley, along with Sen. Tom Cotton…

Connecticut is putting $1 million toward funding migrant services for 2024 and 2025. The American Rescue Plan provides $3.25 million for the same purpose. (Adobe Stock)

CT immigrant advocates send letter opposing House border bill

More than 60 Connecticut immigrant advocate groups sent a letter to Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., to safeguard asylum rights. Murphy is the lead …

Immigrants start more than 25% of all businesses in seven of the eight sectors that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects to grow the fastest over the next decade. (Adriana/Adobe Stock)

Santa Fe's economic vitality depends on immigrants

From construction and hospitality to business creation and consumer spending, a new report shows the oversized contributions immigrants are making to …

Ohio is home to an estimated 60,000 English learner students. Spanish is the main language of almost 40% of Ohio's English learners, along with 90 other home languages, according to state data. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Ohio schools haven’t kept pace with growing number of English learners

Ohio schools are stepping up to meet the needs of a growing number of English learners. Nearly 40% of around 60,000 English learners in the state …

Despite middling scores for how immigrant students feel in school, a YouthTruth/Re-Imaging Migration survey finds most immigrant children enjoy school and feel prepared for college level courses. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Immigrant students feel invisible to teachers and peers

A new survey found immigrant students need better help in school. The YouthTruth, Re-Imagining Migration survey was designed to examine the …

While enrollment in SilverEnhanced Savings has hit the funding cap, undocumented Coloradans who are not eligible for other programs can still get health insurance through Omni-Salud. (Adobe Stock)

Strong demand among undocumented Coloradans for health coverage

Colorado's Omni-Salud program - which allows low-income undocumented Coloradans and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients to enroll in aff…

More than 30,000 labor activists have signed a letter calling on top U.S. union leaders to

Postal Workers become largest union to demand ceasefire in Gaza

One of the nation's largest labor unions has become the latest organization to demand a ceasefire in Gaza as Israel's war with Hamas plays out…

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott believes new laws and the continuation of Operation Lone Star are necessary to

Civil rights groups call Texas' proposed laws, razor wire dehumanizing

A set of border security bills under consideration by Texas lawmakers will cause harm to migrants, residents, and state law, according to a state …

Census data show Minnesota's Latino population has grown by nearly 40% since 2010, and advocates say this should compel the state to take Latinos more seriously as an economic force, including for high-paying jobs. (Adobe Stock)

Complexities surround Latino 'wealth gap' as MN efforts take hold

A new report found factors like geography play a role in assessing Latino wealth gaps in the U.S. The findings are from the Brookings Institution…

For many migrant agricultural laborers in Idaho, language is a barrier to mental health services. (fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Advocates seek to expand mental health services among ID's Spanish speakers

Spanish-speaking Idahoans face a lack of mental health resources and advocates in the state want to change it. Kurtis Pugh, mental health manager …

The New York City Comptroller's Office reported the number of migrants not living in New York City but still in its care has grown from 276 in May to 2,127 in September. (Adobe Stock)

NYC community health centers focus on migrant health

A network of New York City community health centers is in the crossfire of the city's migrant crisis. Ryan Health is a system of primary health …

Around 10% of workers in the United States are employed with H-2A visas, according to The National Agriculture Law Center. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina farmworkers and growers call for better working conditions

Migrant farmworkers and small family farmers in North Carolina got together to form an alliance to advocate for sustainable agricultural supply chains…

Michigan's Voting Rights Act would provide curbside voting and establishes protections for voters with disabilities. It also allows organizers to arrange rides to the polls for voters during elections. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Michigan voting rights advocates push for lifting language, other barriers

Michigan lawmakers are set to consider a new Voting Rights Act for the state by next week. Introduced in June, Senate Bills 401, 402, 403 and 404 …

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Immigration