Right Around the Corner...

Over the next coming months, there will be much discussion about the possibility of Immigraton Reform.  To me, out of everything the 113th congress is facing, it might be the least controversial.  I'm sure you would agree, that's saying something.

Immigration Reform will not happen without compromise. Real compromise.  It seems that this is an impossible feat.  Here are some ways we can to work toward compromise:

• Understand that yes, legal immigration is at the upmost importance to our national security
• Amnesty is not the complete solution to problem
• Building a fence will not keep immigrants from finding a way to the U.S.
• Understand that immigrants bring a diversified skill-set needed in our country (STEM Fields)
• Pathways to legal immigration can be opened, but must follow fair and standardized policies
• An increase in number to legal immigration limits can bring in more revenue, taxes, and boost our economy

Need a a more specific explanation of what CIR could do?  Here are some thoughts from NAFSA:

Nonimmigrant Reforms

• Eliminate nonimmigrant intent for foreign students (F) by extending dual intent to include them.
• Expand employment options for foreign students (F-1) and exchange visitors (J-1) both during the school year and during breaks.
• Allow short term study on tourist (B) visa.
• Expand opportunities to study for the spouses and children (F-2) of foreign students.
• Provide work authorization for spouses of H-1Bs and foreign students.
• Restore to the Secretary of State the authority to waive personal appearances by visa applicants.
• Restore visa renewal in the United States for the following nonimmigrants: E, H, I, L, O, and P.
• Launch a Frequent Traveler Program for international students, researchers, scholars, and business people.

Green Card Reforms

• Develop a viable package for green card relief including some or all of the following provisions:
• Increase the number of green cards available annually.
• Recapture unused employment-based green cards from prior fiscal years to help eliminate the backlog.
• Stop counting spouses and minor children against the employment-based green card cap. More than half of all employment-based green cards go to the spouses and children of workers.  
• Exempt international student graduates with a direct path to green card status, outstanding researchers, and professors from the limit on the number of employment-based green card that may be issued annually.   
• Eliminate annual per country limits with a possible phase-in period.
• Increase green cards for specific priority levels.
• Provide relief through the DREAM Act to children raised in the United States who lack immigration status.
• Create a direct path to green card status for foreign students. Including protection from long adjudication timeframes by extending immigration status from when a green card petition is filed until it is adjudicated (as is done for H-1B green card petitioners).
• Allow green card applicants to retain their places in line while waiting for green cards to become available. Vest this place in line, known as a priority date, with the immigrant petitioner not with the employer. This will make it easier for foreign workers to change employers because doing so will not make them move to the back of the green card line.
• Provide age-out protection for children. Immigrants petitioning for a green card may include their spouse and children in the petition. Unfortunately, if there are backlogs or long delayed decisions, children who turn 21 while waiting become ineligible for a green card based on their parent’s petitions. This is called “aging out.”  

Protect Current Law

• Defend the H-1B cap exemption for higher education and research facilities.
• Maintain special handling that allows colleges and universities to petition for green cards for the most qualified applicants for positions that include classroom instruction.

Improving the Management of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program

• Move the Student and Exchange Visitor Program within Department of Homeland Security from the enforcement division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the services division of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Another agreat resource can be found using the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) InfoNet.  Advocacy materials, memos, cables, and letters from the White House, Publications, Government News, and much more can help to understand the issue.  When reading, ask yourself: Is it Fair? Is it Fact-Based? Does it contribute to a Shared-Future?

Let the changes begin...

Happy IEW!

International Education is a fairly new concept in my home state.  Don’t get me wrong, for years and years, we’ve been sending American students abroad and hosting visiting international students--but the concept of shifting our priorities in the matter is a new one.  Like any new idea floating around, there are instant supporters and those who need a little more evidence before jumping on the bandwagon.  I’ve found in my own personal conversations about International Education that real-life stories start to soften a possible tough exterior.  As international educators, we meet students daily whose lives have changed because of their experiences.   We hear their stories of the people they meet, the new ideas they have, and the way their lives will never be same.  Sharing their stories is an easy step when meeting someone who’s not quite “there” yet.

My husband is a math guy.  He spends his days writing technical reports, crunching numbers, and problem-solving.  While telling him a story about one of my students interests him (most likely because it interests me), the best approach is showing him the numbers.  It’s the language he speaks-it’s the way he processes most things in life.  I could spend hours on the internet searching for statistics on my own.  Most of those statistics would give me different results.  I want the facts and he does too.  Did you know NAFSA supplies its members with these facts? 

How many times have you heard, “Yeah, but the international students are taking away money from our state….” or “Our university is not interested in spending state money on students who are not residents….?”  Trust me; I’ve heard this…..plenty.  I don’t think individuals say this half-heartedly or because they don’t care about students around the world.  True educators truly educate.  They’ve devoted their lives to it.  I think the issue is: they don’t know.

Before I became involved with NAFSA’s Connecting Our World program, I didn’t know either.  I knew I went to school with international students.  I knew some of these students had families with them.  I studied & spent money abroad.  I did not, however, realize how much of an impact international education had on the economy.  The Economic Impact Statement from NAFSA opened my eyes.

In my state, $370,994,000-yes that’s millions- was contributed to the economy from Tuition and Fees alone in 2011-2012.  One would think that the amount of international students it took to support such a number would be huge, but it’s not.  In that year, there were only 16,193 students who paid over $300 million to the state.  This is the kind of math my husband sees and then looks at me with his eyebrows raised.  It’s shocking at first glance. 

I encourage you to use the resources NAFSA provides-especially during International Education Week. The Economic Impact Statements show tangible results of international education in your state, but more specifically at your school. If our focus is to advocate for the field we love and the people we serve, we can use all the help we can get.  Have a great IEW-use it to change someone’s mind about International Education.

After 11-6-12...

I live in the south, as most of you know.  After November 6th, I've heard individuals say things like, "I'm moving to Canada.....or [insert English-speaking-country-other-than-the-U.S. here}."  I guess as Americans we can say things like that without consequence.  I've often wondered if people who said these things really knew what it meant to uproot and move to another country.  See, the very reason they want to move to another country is the reason people sell everything they have, sometimes risk their lives, and move here.  We have such a unique privelege of voting-actually having a say in who runs the country.  The individual elected may not be their choice, but the country-as a whole- chose. Chose!  That's an idea most in this world will never be able to experience when it comes to government.

You will never here me say who I voted for. I'm not telling. You will never here me say if "my guy" won or lost.  I voted, however for the individual who I believe "get's it" when it comes to immigration.  They understand how important it is to spread ideas of a fair, fact-based shared future.  Whomever is in office, I hope we can respect what an incredibly difficult job it is to run a country of folks who completely disagree on almost everything-peacefully.

While I keep hearing negative comments from what I like to call the 'I'm-a-little-bored-on-Facebook,-so-I'll -share-the-first-thing-that-comes-to-mind folks,' I have a VERY positive outlook after Wednesday.  What the close election means to me is that folks are unhappy with the stalemate.  Folks want something to MOVE in Washington.  Democrats are pushing to compromise and so are Republicans.  The large amount of Hispanic voters had voice.  Washington heard-how could they not?

I hope one day to read or hear a statement like this:

"The Government's number one priority remains the economy and job growth. Immigration backlogs are detrimental to our ability to attract the world's top talent. With the decisive actions we've taken to tackle the backlog, we will finally be able to select immigrants who better meet the needs of the [insert country here] labor market. We will aim to process their applications in less than 12 months." (http://uspolitics.einnews.com/pr_news/121626013/an-immigration-system-that-works-for-canada-s-economy)

If you think this statement was issued in the U.S., you would be sadly mistaken.  Minister Kenney of Canada   made this statement last week after the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) announced that it will be admitting up to 55,300 persons in the "Federal Skilled Worker" category.  Read the rest of the article....it's pretty great.

So move to Canada if you wish-fine with me.  I'd like to move Canada's priorty to boost the economy and promote comprehensive immigration reform HERE!

P.S. WAY TO GO MARYLAND! http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/11/07/maryland-passes-dream-act

I Sure Do Hate...

I'm feeling a bit hypocritical these days. Let me explain.

I HATE politics. Sincerely. Mostly, I think it's made up of empty promises and folks who are great lawyers....but have no practical experience making such big decisions to ultimately impact our country.  How many politicians do you know that have ever been on welfare? Not many... How many representatives do you know who have been unemployed for more than a short amount of time?  Not many...  I'm not usually encouraged to stand behind politicians and their lofty ideas. 

But here I am writing a blog about getting out there to vote for politicians. I'm writing about matters that are directly related to politics-immigration.  See why I have such hypocritical feelings. 


Picture found: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1567215/

My husband and I spent some of the weekend, being the history nerds we are, watching The Kennedys (miniseries from The Reelz Channel). Though not 100% historically accurate, it sparked the conversation about how much those chosen to serve our country really know about each important issue of the time.

I'm thankful for those who love politics, because I'm just not one of them. I'm thankful for those who are willing to serve their country in such a way.  Do I believe that ALL politicians are bad? Nope... Do I believe that most enter the political arena with the best of intentions? Absolutely...

But the question I have is this: What makes a Congressman or Representative listen to his or her constituents? Is it money? I hope not because friends, I don't have a lot of it.  Is it meeting after meeting with an individual asking for change? I don't think so.

I believe I have an answer. It takes the average person. Those who are not lawyers or business men or women who have chosen to run in elections.  It takes numbers. It takes letters. It takes constituents.  How does one get elected? By those in a specific defined area chosing a person to represent their needs and beliefs.  What happens if our local representatives are swarmed with letters asking for change on certain opinion? Do you think it will get their attention?  If hundreds of phone calls ring in about ONE issue, you better believe it will open some eyes.

"It takes a village..." as an African proverb states.  This idea of community is what it takes to create real change.  So if you're in the debate or conversation about comprehensive immigration reform, or any other issue for that matter, remember: the more people you talk to, the more they know of the issue. Some might cover their ears and say, "No no no....I don't want to know that." But some just might say, "Really? Tell me more." And those same people just might get behind an issue they never paid much attention to in the past.

The village  movement can change minds of the politicians because they depend so dearly on the votes of their community.  Change can come from those of us who know the REAL background of an issue--not the myths.  Change can come from those of us who make our voices heard--not because we have anything to gain politically, but because we have everything to gain for our country.  We want fair, fact-seeking politicians who are looking for a shared future.  Maybe then I'd change my feelings on politics.....maybe (wink).

On The Issues...

I've had recent conversations with family and friends that went a little something like this:

"Yeah, I'm just not going to vote. It won't really make a difference."

"I don't like what either candidate is saying. I don't like either so I'm just staying out of it."

I can't say I haven't felt like this in recent days to some extent, but let me tell you why I will vote and why you should too.

In a recent aticle from a national news affiliate, the author asked the question "why vote?"  His answer was clear.

"Because in America, that is the way we change things. That is the way we reform the system. That is the way we guard against the threats to our liberties and exercise our responsibilities. That is the way that we keep America free."Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/11/02/peter-roff-vote-change-reform-candidates-elections-congress-oval-office-george/#ixzz259HINyRg

Isn't that the truth though?  Change can be good or bad, but change is inherently American. Is it not? Our entire government system is set up just TO change.

As Americans, we have the opportunity to research and get to know the candidates. Do you know where each stands on the issues? Or do you know what the news media says about each candidate?  Because I've chosen to focus my writing on matters related to immigration, below you wll find information on each candidate and their views on immigration in the United States.  While I know this isn't the only important issue to consider, it's an important one that impacts the future of our great nation.

President Obama's Position on ImmigrationThe President plans to create a 21st century immigration system by: Continuing to fulfill the federal government’s responsibility to securing our borders; Demanding accountability for businesses that break the law by undermining American workers and exploiting undocumented workers;  Strengthening our economic competiveness by creating a legal immigration system that reflects our values and diverse needs; and Requiring responsibility from people who are living in the United States illegally.http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/fixing-immigration-system-america-s-21st-century-economy

Mitt Romney's Position on Immigration
Govenor Romney's goal is to grow legal immigration to grow our economy by attracting more highly skilled immigrants; make the temporary work visa system functional; securing our borders and discourage illegal immgration by enforcing the law.  He sees cutting the red tape that is keeping families apart as important, as well as opening pathways to residency for those serving in the armed forces.  He will address the topic of illegal immigraiton in the U.S. in a manner that respects the rule of law. http://www.mittromney.com/issues/immigration

Ron Paul's Position on Immigration
Enforce Border Security; No Amnesty; Abolish the Welfare State; End Birthright Citizenship; Protect Lawful Immigrants. http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/immigration/

Gary Johnson's Position on Immigration
Gary Johnson states that America is a land of immigrants. Legal immigration should focus on making it easier and simpler for willing workers to come here with a temporary work visa, pay taxes, contribute to society, and fill jobs as the market demands.  As the former governor of a southern border state, he believes fences and walls do not keep out illegal immigrants. Real border security means knowing who is coming here and why.  With workable employer verification systems, smarter border enforcement, and common sense, a national problem can be turned into a national benefit http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/issues/immigration

There is so much more to this. I've included links to each candidate's page on the issues. Do your research and see for yourself.  We may not agree on the solution to the broken immigration, and that's ok. But I do know this, if we don't vote we can't complain about that which we did not take part.  So ask yourself after reading each candidate's stance on the issues (not just about immigration): Is it fair, fact-based, and contributes to a shared future?  Click Here to Register to Vote or Click Here to learn more!

Today Is A Big Day

To most, August 15th may not be a significant date on the calender.  It's a Wednesday.  A slightly gloomy Wednesday in my city because of the fog this morning.  My work day hasn't really changed at all because it is August 15th.  Same amount of email, same amount of students, same co-workers, same office.  Chances are, I, along with many other Americans, will look back on August 15, 2012 and not have a vivid memory of today's events.  There is nothing wrong with this, really.  We live in a time where our lives are so busy we forget the world around us.  This isn't always a terrible thing, but today I'd like to share a different perspective.

To some living in the U.S., August 15, 2012 is a very important date.  It is a day that many have been wondering if they would ever see.  It's not a gloomy day full of fog for some.  There are no worries about changes at work or co-workers.  Today is a day of hope for these.  You may know why....you may not.

60 days ago, a recent step taken by the current administration to create a "deferred action process for young people who are low enforcement priorities."  While controversial to say the least, a step-a real one-was taken.  What does this mean for the "young people" mentioned? Here's some information to know:

"Effective immediately, certain young people who were brought to the United States through no fault of their own as young children and meet several key criteria will be considered for relief from removal from the country or entered into removal proceedings. Those who demonstrate that they meet the criteria will be eligible to receive deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal." -Department of Homeland Security: Deferred Action Process

As of today, this is the new policy. The reason August 15, 2012 is such an important date is because of the hope given to those who, without this policy, would not have a chance to contribute academically, economically, and just plain whole-heartedly to the United States.

It is important to remember what this process and policy is NOT. 

1. This is NOT amnesty for undocumented children.
2. This is NOT a pathway to residency.
3. This is NOT an easy and inexpensive process.
4. This is NOT a way to "catch all the illegals."
5. This is NOT a solution to the problem of the broken immigration system in the U.S.

It is, however......a step.  A big step....in the right direction.

For more information:  Read here-http://www.dhs.gov/deferred-action-process

It's A Lofty Idea...

Several weeks ago, I was invited to The White House for a community briefing on Comprehensive Immigration Reform. "CIR" as some call it. Lofty idea to comprehensively reform something...especially the dreaded topic of immigration, huh?  Speakers from agencies and public offices shared with the "community" their view of CIR.  Every big-hitter was present.  I should say that the speakers standing before us impressed me the most, but I won't.  I should say that the semi-pep rally from Secretary Napolitano regarding the deferred action announcement inspired me the most, but I won't.  Now don't get me wrong, the day was more than I could ever asked for.  The honor of being invited to The White House is not something most can add to their resume--truly it was an honor.  But the most impressing moment of the entire day came later.

I walked into a room at the White House Conference Center filled with community members and found my seat on the back wall.  Looking around the room, I realized my place in the entire debate over CIR.  It was one of those moments when you see something you've always seen, but it looks different this time.  CIR involves so much more than education---I knew this but I forget to look up from my own stack of papers to the world around me.  Community members from the realms of agriculture, faith-based organizations, LGBT groups, cultural & educational stakeholders, small & large business owners, trade & economic groups surrounded me.  Now usually, if these community members were placed in one room to discuss a particular topic, there wouldn't be a resounding theme of agreement bursting through the doors.  This was different.  While the groups may have opposing ideas on the "how-to" issue of CIR, the theme of striving to make it happen--in one way or another--was clear.

You see, the topic of Comprehensive Immigration Reform touches us all.  From the immigrants that came here to make the U.S. their home...to the business owner working diligently to comply with federal regulations-CIR matters.  To the housewife planning her weekly grocery trip...to the agricultural worker making her list a reality-CIR matters.  From teachers, to students, to parents, to children, to religious groups, to retirees, to Americans-CIR matters.  I'll tell you why....

Comprehensive Immigration Reform doesn't focus on a thing.  It doesn't focus on an insurance card or a student loan.  It focuses directly on people--and finding a better way to help folks come and stay and live and believe and pray and learn legally.  I think we can all agree on that. 

Fair, Fact-Based, & Shared Future