Bush Tried to reform Immigration in 2004, 06, and 07

This is a federal issue that needs to be reformed. There is at least recognition that something needs to be done. States, including Utah with SB 81, are coming up with ineffective and vastly different ways of dealing with immigration. There needs to be a comprehensive overhaul. Perhaps a compromise from both the concerned and the impatient and sanguine camps might include, a better controlled border and a more navegable guest worker program, and the letting the families here become temporary workers to come out of the shadows. I don't know the answer, but something needs to be done.

Splitting up of families of US born Natural Citizens

This woman (undocumented worker) lost her son because the judge couldn't (or wouldn't) find a way for her to keep her family in tact. While she is encarcerated, her son was adopted to another family. It seems to me that the judge deemed the family was not good enough. If we can find a way for Elian Gonazales (not a US citizen) to be peacefully and rightfully reunited with family, how come we can't do the same for a US citizen? There had to be some family member somewhere in the world willing to help until mom got out of encarceration, or some foster situation that could have worked out. These are some of the unintended or unconsidered consequences of sending undocumented workers home without their children, at least let them gather their family and keep the family together. If she gets her son back, he may not speak the same language. It could drag on for years in appeals, that does no good for immigration, the child, and either family after fighting over the child who will have been raised in at least two families, no one wins.

Community Meeting in Logan about SB 81

500 Logan area families gathered to ask questions to an attourney about SB 81. There were a couple of misconceptions about the newly passed law.
1. That driving an illegal immigrant to the store, or giving them a ride would not be illegal.
Only if the driving is motivated by money (charged a fee) or over 100 miles of travlling.

2. That local law enforcement can arrest someone just for being here without documentation.
Only if they commit a crime or are already in the correctional system. That doesn't seem too different from current protocal. Law enforcement does not have "federal jurisdiction" all of the sudden. Check out the article in the Herald Journal.

Shooting in New York

While we really don't know a motive in the shooting at the community center in New York serving immigrants, I just feel it is appropriate to post this article. I think we will find out more as the investigations continue. What a tragedy. The shooter was also from out of the country. I wonder about how we are really assimilating or accomodating newcomers in our communities.

Immigration Gumballs

Do we use immigration to help the developing countries or to help the US?
This video gives some interesting insights from the concerned view.
How do we help those populations?

Diveristy in the classroom

Typically, we wil see immigration trends in the classroom first.
This is another interactive tool to see diversity trends across the country's schools.
Check out your homestate, Utah, or any other.

Immigration trends from 1880-present

Immigration to the US from which countries. This is a fun little map that lets you see the immigration trends since 1880. You can pick a country and see when and where they have immigrated to and what the trends are for these populations. You might even find your own anscestors' timeline or heritage. Check it out. It's all in good fun.