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In March We March!

Latinos Drive Record Surge in U.S. Naturalizations

HACU to Host Live Forum on Hispanic Higher Education Issues

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In March We March!

March 21, 2010

By Deepak Bhargava Executive Director of the Center for Community Change

Source: Reform Immigration For America

A broad coalition of national and local groups have announced a massive mobilization, “March for America: Change Takes Courage,” which will bring tens of thousands of people to Washington on March 21 to [show support for]comprehensive immigration reform for new American families.

Throughout American history, only big and broad social movements have produced big change. From abolition to women’s suffrage, from the New Deal to civil rights, the one major lesson of American history is that it is only when thousands and thousands of people take their destiny into their own hands that entrenched special interests can be defeated and progressive policies enacted. The last year has demonstrated again that we can’t expect politicians to grow spines all by themselves, and we can’t sit back and hope for bold leadership from the people we elected to serve the country’s interest. We must instill courage and insert backbone in our leaders through massive, sustained grassroots pressure. This is the only path forward.

I have heard too many people bemoan a broken political system, and complain about how hard change has been to achieve over the last year. Despair and passivity are luxuries our communities cannot afford. There is nothing surprising about Washington’s resistance to change, and we know the formula to break the gridlock. It’s our time to step up. It’s our time to lead and take responsibility.

This is a pivotal moment in the history of America. We are faced with a choice. We can do nothing, and watch as new American families are torn apart by the broken immigration system; watch as profiteers continue to take advantage of people desperate for work; and watch as all American families struggle to find good jobs and make ends meet. Or we can stand up and stand together for our families and our communities.

To everyone who believes in comprehensive immigration reform for new American families and an economy that works for all American families, we need you so that together we can show our collective power and energy. Join the March for America. Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 21. Events begin at 1 p.m. on the National Mall. I’ll see you there.

Get more information and sign up at: www.WeMarchforAmerica.org.

You can also join our cell phone network by texting the word “justice” to 69866 to receive the latest updates on the march.

Follow Deepak Bhargava on Twitter: www.twitter.com/communitychange

Latinos Drive Record Surge in U.S. Naturalizations

Nearly half of the record-setting 1 million new U.S. citizens sworn in last year were Latino immigrants — a 95 percent increase among that ethnic group from the previous year, according to an analysis by an Hispanic advocacy organization.

Department of Homeland Security data shows the number of immigrants naturalized in the U.S. grew from about 660,000 in 2007 to more than 1 million in 2008 — an increase of roughly 58 percent. The Houston metropolitan area saw more than 28,000 naturalizations last year, an increase of roughly 54 percent from 2007.

Nationally, Latino naturalizations jumped 95 percent from about 237,000 in 2007 to 461,000 in 2008, according to the analysis released Tuesday by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. NALEO used data from the DHS’ Office of Immigration Statistics, counting immigrants who hailed from predominantly Spanish-speaking countries as Latinos.

Sociologists cited a number of factors for the naturalization increase, including the desire to vote in the historic 2008 presidential election and a rush to beat a naturalization fee increase in summer 2007. The increase in naturalization applications also coincided with a high-profile outreach campaign with the slogan, “It is time — Citizenship!” which was supported by organizations including NALEO, unions and many in the Spanish-language media.

Nestor Rodriguez, a sociology professor at the University of Texas, said the growth in naturalization applicants was expected based on the level of legal immigration to the U.S. in the 1990s. More than 9.7 million people were admitted as legal permanent residents during that decade, he said, roughly 80 percent of them from Latin America and Asia. Although it takes only five years for a green-card holder to be eligible for citizenship, many historically have waited to take the oath.

Rodriguez added that some new citizens may have been spurred to action by the fee increase that took effect in July 2007 and raised the cost of a citizenship application from $330 to $595.

Tom Janoski, an associate professor of sociology from the University of Kentucky who has researched international naturalization trends, said some new citizens may have been driven to apply because of a fear of deportation in many immigrant communities.

“One factor that causes people to naturalize is that they’re scared,” Janoski said.

To read full article click here. 

Author: Susan Carroll

 Source:  Houston Chronicle

HACU to Host Live Forum on Hispanic Higher Education Issues

The Hispanic Information & Telecommunications Network (HITN) along with the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) will broadcast a live forum on Hispanic higher education today at 5:30 p.m. (EST) featuring notable scholars and administrators.

Today’s forum is part of an on-going series hosted by HITN titled, “Destination Casa Blanca 2008: The Latino Voice in the Presidential Election.” The English-language program is expected to air in more than 30 million homes nationwide, network officials say.

Scholars such as Dr. Milton Gordon, president of California State University, Fullerton, Rosa Pérez, chancellor of San José/Evergreen Community College, and Dr. Antonio Flores, president and CEO of HACU, will examine both presidential candidates’ platforms regarding education issues that impact U.S. Hispanic students and highlight the strengths and flaws of the candidates’ agendas.

Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic minority group in the United States and are projected to be the largest school-age population by 2050.

Listed among the most pertinent issues to be discussed is the continued absence of Hispanic-serving institutions from federal legislation and regulations that authorize targeted funding for higher education, the severe underrepresentation of Hispanics in the federal labor force, and college affordability for undocumented students who completed high school and desire to attend college.

“As the fastest-growing segment of society in the United States, Hispanics are increasingly becoming the work force for tomorrow,” says Flores. “The better educated our work force, the better the United States can compete in the global economy.”

HACU, an organization representing approximately 450 colleges and universities, will submit to the presidential candidates its recommendations for increased funding for HSIs, the creation of targeted programs for HSI-enrolled students in science, technology, engineering and math fields and the advancement of DREAM Act legislation.

This series, launched in April, marks the first time in history that a national television program has focused solely on issues affecting the Hispanic community. Following an initial English-language debut, each show is rebroadcast in Spanish. Award-winning journalists Ray Suarez and Marlene Fernández will host today’s telecast. The series will be available on the Elections ’08 on Demand Channel.

“We have a unique opportunity to build a bridge between the candidates and the Hispanic communities through the usage of effective multimedia platforms,” says José Luís Rodriguez, CEO of HITN. “This forum is part of HITN and HACU’s mission to provide the right tools and education to help Latinos make the best decision during this presidential election.”

Source: Diverse Issues in Higher Education