Presentation to CU meeting 4/12/07 by Sandy Gettelfinger, Director of Madera Ministries, on the National Hispanic Leadership Summit, March 20-22, 2007, in Washington, D.C.
Question: How many undocumented immigrants are there in the US?
This national conference included 350 invitees from 38 states and Puerto Rico, plus five US Senators, and officials, including Carlos Gutierrez, Secretary, US Department of Commerce; Emilio Gonzales Ph.D., Director U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and Sara Martinez-Tucker, Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Education Immigration Reform & Border Security was the #1 topic chosen by the participants.
The magnitude of immigration was shown in some statistics:
Each day the USCIS also completes 135,000 security and background checks, as part of their effort to secure U.S. borders so that we can detect criminals who attempt to enter and can protect against terrorist attacks and illegal drug traffic. On Feb 13, 2007 a bipartisan group introduced legislation to promote infrastructure and technological improvement to meet border security needs while facilitating legitimate commerce. It would improve port entry infrastructure & technologies and increase personnel at those ports.
However the problem is bigger than a fence at the southern border. The summit presenters acknowledged that our nation must deal with the needs of our economy.
Proposed legislation is not wanting, nor suggesting amnesty. It is proposing a comprehensive immigration policy. This would include an acknowledgement and atonement for those who have broken our immigration laws. There is a need to bring the 12 million undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and often beyond the reach of law enforcement, for the security of the U.S. Director Gonzalez urged that legislation:
Tamar Jacoby, Senior Fellow of the Manhattan Institute, stated, “We don’t have to choose between Immigration and Security. It is a false dichotomy. Immigration is good and security is good and both can be accomplished. Her metaphors included when prohibition was in place it developed a means outside the law to obtain that which society wanted. Finally the government saw the needs, saw the problem and made a balance through regulation. This is a similar situation of today. We need to see the reality of the need – we need them, they are good for our country, they stimulate our economy, they have drive and they bring patriotism and solid values. We need to stop pretending and see reality and own up to that reality. We need to encourage a comprehensive immigration policy. Now.
Sandy Gettelfinger then continued with her own views - How does this affect us here in Harrison County? The reality is if there are 12 million undocumented immigrants in the U. S. they did not all stay in Pennsylvania. They are probably working here among us, as our neighbors. They are living in the shadows that many of us don’t understand. They have their fears, their ways of survival, and they have their hope. We can help them by understanding why they come. Work? Opportunities? Maybe yes. But perhaps that’s just the surface. Should we look beyond our county’s comfort zones to make our county better? I know that there is an eagerness within many of the immigrants I work with to be a part of building a healthy community; however many can not afford the exposure. We are talking about people of joy and drive, of a generosity that is inspiring. Do we want to help bring that to fruit? If so, fruit can only be harvested if the plant is brought into the light and out of the dark shadows. It is up to us.
We know through the Hispanic Leadership Summit and through common sense that our country cannot afford to send 12 million undocumented people back home - our country and economy need their money and these people. Thus, they can stay in the shadows or live in the light. That may very well be determined by each one of you and what you choose to do.
Sandy then added a point about education in the US for immigrants and non-immigrants. We need to strive not just to get an education but a quality education that allows students to be successful in the global market and a technical workplace. A bipartisan effort has brought forth the American Competitive Initiative to address these problems:
Sandy concluded by noting that this county's children are our natural resource, whether they are low income, immigrants, highly motivated or challenged. The Federal government, state government, local government and teachers are putting forth noble efforts. We must understand the needs of these children! We must continue to be innovative about transportation needs, time and location needs, the need to be inspired and to be encouraged to fulfill their dreams, a need to have a DREAM. So what are we doing to inspire, to encourage, to implement this great and worthy goal for each child? It is our responsibility -- they are "our" children and it should be "our" goal not to leave any of "our" children behind!
Answer: There are 12 million undocumented immigrants in the US, equivalent to the number of people in Pennsylvania, Ecuador or Belgium.
Question: How many undocumented immigrants are there in the US?
This national conference included 350 invitees from 38 states and Puerto Rico, plus five US Senators, and officials, including Carlos Gutierrez, Secretary, US Department of Commerce; Emilio Gonzales Ph.D., Director U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and Sara Martinez-Tucker, Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Education Immigration Reform & Border Security was the #1 topic chosen by the participants.
The magnitude of immigration was shown in some statistics:
- the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. workforce is 12-15 million people or about 8% of the employed.
- the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is processing approximately 7 million applicants & petitions a year. As of December 2006 it had reduced a backlog of 3.85 million applications and to 38,000 cases, (an additional 971,000 applications are backlogged for reasons outside USCIS’s control.) Dr. Gonzalez, the Director of USCIS, said they are working to make applications efficient and applicant friendly and to sharpen the focus on fraud detection with the creation of an electronic on-line National Security Records and Verification directory.
Each day the USCIS also completes 135,000 security and background checks, as part of their effort to secure U.S. borders so that we can detect criminals who attempt to enter and can protect against terrorist attacks and illegal drug traffic. On Feb 13, 2007 a bipartisan group introduced legislation to promote infrastructure and technological improvement to meet border security needs while facilitating legitimate commerce. It would improve port entry infrastructure & technologies and increase personnel at those ports.
However the problem is bigger than a fence at the southern border. The summit presenters acknowledged that our nation must deal with the needs of our economy.
- We have farmers in Florida that say without these workers oranges would rot on the trees.
- We have homebuilders that say they would shut down tomorrow if they had to have a green card for every worker. It goes on with restaurant owners, hotel owners and businesses across the country.
Proposed legislation is not wanting, nor suggesting amnesty. It is proposing a comprehensive immigration policy. This would include an acknowledgement and atonement for those who have broken our immigration laws. There is a need to bring the 12 million undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and often beyond the reach of law enforcement, for the security of the U.S. Director Gonzalez urged that legislation:
- 1. Make clear application standards which would protect applicants and guide adjudicators.
- 2. Have a simple and straightforward application
- 3. Ensure any juridical review is limited so as not to create extensive, extended backlog. (His department is still litigating cases from 1986.)
- 4. Provide no greater judicial access for the undocumented than for those who came in legally.
- 5. Not create artificial walls between information and law enforcement.
Tamar Jacoby, Senior Fellow of the Manhattan Institute, stated, “We don’t have to choose between Immigration and Security. It is a false dichotomy. Immigration is good and security is good and both can be accomplished. Her metaphors included when prohibition was in place it developed a means outside the law to obtain that which society wanted. Finally the government saw the needs, saw the problem and made a balance through regulation. This is a similar situation of today. We need to see the reality of the need – we need them, they are good for our country, they stimulate our economy, they have drive and they bring patriotism and solid values. We need to stop pretending and see reality and own up to that reality. We need to encourage a comprehensive immigration policy. Now.
Sandy Gettelfinger then continued with her own views - How does this affect us here in Harrison County? The reality is if there are 12 million undocumented immigrants in the U. S. they did not all stay in Pennsylvania. They are probably working here among us, as our neighbors. They are living in the shadows that many of us don’t understand. They have their fears, their ways of survival, and they have their hope. We can help them by understanding why they come. Work? Opportunities? Maybe yes. But perhaps that’s just the surface. Should we look beyond our county’s comfort zones to make our county better? I know that there is an eagerness within many of the immigrants I work with to be a part of building a healthy community; however many can not afford the exposure. We are talking about people of joy and drive, of a generosity that is inspiring. Do we want to help bring that to fruit? If so, fruit can only be harvested if the plant is brought into the light and out of the dark shadows. It is up to us.
We know through the Hispanic Leadership Summit and through common sense that our country cannot afford to send 12 million undocumented people back home - our country and economy need their money and these people. Thus, they can stay in the shadows or live in the light. That may very well be determined by each one of you and what you choose to do.
Sandy then added a point about education in the US for immigrants and non-immigrants. We need to strive not just to get an education but a quality education that allows students to be successful in the global market and a technical workplace. A bipartisan effort has brought forth the American Competitive Initiative to address these problems:
- More than half of our 17-year-olds do not have the math to get a job on the technical equipment now being used on the production floor.
- Our math, science and engineering jobs are going overseas or we are in-sourcing and welcoming immigrants to teach and research here.
- At this point there are only 9 states that are preparing their students as college ready.
- By 2012 40% of factory floor jobs will require some form of post secondary education. 90% of the fastest growing jobs will require some form of post secondary education. 60% of new jobs will require at least a 4-year college education.
- 1. Advantage Placement so that lower income children and more children can take tougher courses and be better prepared
- 2. Incentives to outstanding teachers to help low income children and all children; including special training for some children who need special help
- 3. Summer academies and institutes at universities for outstanding teachers and outstanding students
- 4. Mentors, tutoring and support for children
- Since October 1998, the Hispanic enrollment in Indianapolis Public Schools has more than doubled. Eight IN elementary schools report Hispanic population between 20% and 40% of their student body.
- Hispanic students have the highest dropout rate of any ethnic group nationally and locally.
- While 70% of all students in public education graduate, only 52% of all Hispanic high school students graduate.
- Only 16% of all Hispanic students in the nation leave high school college-ready.
- 35% of all Latino youth in the nation’s schools are immigrants.
- There are approximately 30 ESL (English as Second Language) students. Nearly one third of ESL students are in elementary school; the rest scattered relatively equally in grades 4-12. There is no database that breaks down drop out rates of this particular population
- SHSC has two bilingual instructional assistants who work in the schools to assist ESL student with their course work and to work on improving their skills with English. An after school program gives additional assistance with homework and improving language skills.
- ESL students are required to take the ISTEP test. Although this is naturally problematic, South Harrison does not have enough ESL students to have a subgroup in the category.
Sandy concluded by noting that this county's children are our natural resource, whether they are low income, immigrants, highly motivated or challenged. The Federal government, state government, local government and teachers are putting forth noble efforts. We must understand the needs of these children! We must continue to be innovative about transportation needs, time and location needs, the need to be inspired and to be encouraged to fulfill their dreams, a need to have a DREAM. So what are we doing to inspire, to encourage, to implement this great and worthy goal for each child? It is our responsibility -- they are "our" children and it should be "our" goal not to leave any of "our" children behind!
Answer: There are 12 million undocumented immigrants in the US, equivalent to the number of people in Pennsylvania, Ecuador or Belgium.