Microloan program to help legal immigrants cover naturalization costs - The Washington Post

Microloan program to help legal immigrants cover naturalization costs - The Washington Post

I think this is a good idea -- even if they don't loan the money to pay the attorney (that would be cool with me of course) here is an excerpt from the article.


"Pacas, 42, is among the first to apply for a new microloan designed to help legal permanent residents cover their naturalization costs.

“If I become a citizen thanks to this loan, I will be a very happy person,” said Pacas, a hotel housekeeper in the District who qualified for naturalization nearly a decade ago. She said she did not apply earlier because she did not have the money to pay the fees.

Organizers expect hundreds of green card holders such as Pacas to qualify for the pilot program being launched Tuesday by CASA of Maryland — the state’s largest immigrant advocacy group — in partnership with Citi and other financial institutions and nonprofit groups. However, they said, the need is much greater.

The lack of money and English skills are the two main reasons permanent residents do not seek citizenship, said Gustavo Torres, executive director of CASA."

The Colbert Report
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Colbert strikes again...seemingly, only through satire can people understand how sanctimonious and self-defeating is our lack of a cogent national immigration policy.

USCIS: USCIS Redesigns Employment Authorization Document and Certificate of Citizenship to Enhance Security and Combat Fraud

USCIS: USCIS Redesigns Employment Authorization Document and Certificate of Citizenship to Enhance Security and Combat Fraud

 

 WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas today announced the launch of an enhanced Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and a redesigned Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560) with new features to strengthen security and deter fraud.
 

ICE Sued For Alleged Warrantless Raid In TN: ‘We’re ICE…The Warrant Is Coming Out Of My Balls’ | TPMMuckraker

ICE Sued For Alleged Warrantless Raid In TN: ‘We’re ICE…The Warrant Is Coming Out Of My Balls’ | TPMMuckraker:


I am interested to see how this turns out. Here is something else I find interesting from the ACLU --

AILA Leadership Blog » Dehumanization of the Majority

AILA Leadership Blog » Dehumanization of the Majority

By: Ally Bolour

A new attitude seems to have taken hold in American society these days – one that appears to be spreading through every medium and every social group. I see it on television, in newspapers, and on the internet; I hear it on the radio and in everyday conversations. Alienating and dehumanizing any group that is “different,” starting of course with immigrants. If the immigrants are undocumented – we call them illegal. If they are U.S. citizen children, but have undocumented parents – we call them the children of illegals! We pass laws in Alabama to demand that children bring proof of the “legality” of their parents to the classrooms. We no longer exhibit pride in the American melting pot; we try to explain it away and hyphenate it instead.

~here is a snippet from the AILA Leadership Blog click the link above, it is worth the time.

Bridging the Ethnic Generation Gap: Why an Aging Population Will Depend on a New Generation of Workers » Immigration Impact

Bridging the Ethnic Generation Gap: Why an Aging Population Will Depend on a New Generation of Workers » Immigration Impact

I have been saying for years that because of demographic changes associated with the retirement of the baby boom generation, and with today's families having fewer children and having them later in life -- that our National economy is destined to shrink, the burden of supporting entitlement programs on working individuals will increase and essential services provided to retirees and others are going to suffer if we don't get over our fear of immigration.

Here is a link to an article that, in part, helps explain why.

All Immigration Is Local

All Immigration Is Local

All Immigration Is Local

Receiving Communities and Their Role in Successful Immigrant Integration

SOURCE: Jackson Hill Photography

The process of immigrant integration and acceptance is often bumpy and messy, but a focus on receiving communities will smooth out that process and help make sure that immigrants and the native born can together fully take part in the American Dream.

~ Click the link above to read the article by Michael Jones-Correa on the Center for American Progress website. I thought it was a good way to follow up the article about the hateful vandalism written on houses in Concord, NH recently.