Naturalized Citizens Earn Almost 70% More Than Non-Citizens

by Amanda Peterson Beadle, 9/14/2012, ThinkProgress.org

Immigrants who become naturalized U.S. citizens in the U.S. earn 50 to 70 percent more than noncitizens in the U.S. and are less likely to be unemployed, according to a new report from the Migration Policy Institute [MPI]. …read more

To read the full MPI report, The Economic Value of Citizenship for Immigrants in the United States, Madeleine Sumption and  Sarah Flamm, September 2012, please click here.

Rock the (Naturalized) Vote: The Size and Location of the Recently Naturalized Voting Age Citizen Population

According to the report published by the Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration (you can view the full report here), 3.6% of the national voting age population is made up of recently naturalized citizens (those who have naturalized within the last 10 years). Most of these citizens live in what are considered the “swing states” for the 2012 Presidential elections—Florida (6%), Nevada (5%), and Virginia (4%). But of those naturalized citizens, only 60.8% are registered to vote.

The number of those naturalized citizens registered to vote is the highest in U.S. history, but it still leaves a large representation of the immigrant voice and vote missing, particularly in times when immigration policy is such a hot topic. Newly naturalized citizens have the ability to “participate as fully as possible in setting the direction for the country” once they register to vote.

The report argues that “encouraging those who have naturalized to register and vote is surely critical to ensuring that the voices of all Americas…can contribute to a vibrant culture.” Many cities, states, and localities are assisting newly naturalized citizens in registering to vote, linking the opportunity to register with naturalization itself.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012, is Election Day. The deadline to register to vote for the Presidential elections for Illinois residents expired October 9, 2012, but there are upcoming local elections, and legislative elections occur every 2 years.

Deferred Action for Certain Young Immigrants

On June 15, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that certain young people who entered the U.S. will no longer be removed from the United States. Qualifying individuals will be granted “deferred action” for two years (subject to renewal) and will also be eligible for a work permit.

Eligibility: In order to be eligible for deferred action, an individual must prove that he or she:

1) Was under 31 years old on June 15, 2012;

2) Came to the United States under the age of 16;

3) Has continuously resided in the United States for at least five years before June 15, 2012, and was physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012;

4) Is currently attending school, has graduated from high school, has obtained a G.E.D. certificate, or is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or Coast Guard;

5) Has not been convicted of a felony offense, significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, nor otherwise poses a threat to the community or national security.

Read more...

For more information or to schedule a HIAS Chicago presentation (together with an immigration attorney) to inform the community on the latest developments regarding “deferred action”, please contact HIAS Chicago at 312-357-4666.

Secretary Napolitano Announces Deferred Action Process for Young People Who Are Low Enforcement Priorities

Over the past three years, this Administration has undertaken an unprecedented effort to transform the immigration enforcement system into one that focuses on public safety, border security and the integrity of the immigration system. As DHS continues to focus its limited enforcement resources on the removal of individuals who pose a danger to national security or a risk to public safety, including aliens convicted of crimes, with particular emphasis on violent criminals, felons, and repeat offenders, DHS will move to exercise prosecutorial discretion to ensure that enforcement resources are not expended on low priority cases, such as individuals who were brought to this country through no fault of their own as children, have not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, or multiple misdemeanor offenses, and meet other key criteria.

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. Read more…

See the Memo: Exercising Prosecutorial Discretion with Respect to Individuals Who Came to the United States as Children

New Americans in Illinois

The Immigration Policy Center publishes a study on the growing population of immigrants and the importance of their political and economic power. Nearly 1 in 7 Illinoisans are immigrants (foreign-born), and more than two-fifths of them are naturalized U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote.

New Americans in Illinois (January 2012) (pdf)(224K)

USCIS to Propose Changing the Process for Certain Waivers

On January 6, 2012, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted a notice of intent in the Federal Register outlining its plan to reduce the time that U.S. citizens are separated from their spouses and children under certain circumstances while those family members go through the process of becoming legal immigrants to the United States.

USCIS to Propose Changing the Process for Certain Waivers (January 2012) (pdf) (138K)

100 Civics Questions and Answers for Naturalization Test

The civics test is an oral test and the USCIS Officer will ask the applicant up to 10 of the 100 civics questions. An applicant must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass the civics portion of the naturalization test.

100 Civics Questions and Answers for Naturalization Test (pdf) (303K)

Immigrants in Illinois

Latest Census figures show continuing growth.

Immigrants in Illinois (pdf) (614K)

Archives

Graham: Immigration reform deal could be ‘rolled out next week’

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), one of the bipartisan “Gang of Eight” senators working on an immigration-reform bill, said Sunday the group had agreed on a deal to be unveiled soon and that he was confident the bill would eventually be signed into law by President Obama.  Read more...

HIAS Chicago and Organizations from Across the Country Urge Congress to Ensure Access to Health and Nutrition Assistance for Aspiring Citizens

More than 360 national and state groups send letter to President Obama and members of Congress calling for access to health care and nutrition assistance for our country’s immigrants.

HIAS Chicago joined the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and more than 360 other organizations in sending a letter to President Obama and members of Congress in support of immigration reform that includes immigrants on the road to citizenship in the country’s health care and economic supports system. Groups signing onto the letter include National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems, the National Association of Social Workers, AFL-CIO, and the Sargent Shriver Center on Poverty Law.

HIAS Chicago is working for an immigration policy that mirrors America’s values and will promote economic security for all low-income families.  We urge the establishment of a humane and just immigration process that includes:

•           Provision of a core safety net for citizens and immigrants residing in the U.S. which will reinforce efforts to achieve national progress in health and nutrition.

•           Access to key programs and public services that meet basic human needs, including health services and insurance, education, nutrition assistance, and working family tax credits.

•           Investment in robust efforts to integrate immigrants into their communities

Click here to read the Open Letter

U.S. Government Works Toward Passing Comprehensive Immigration Reform

President Obama Outlines Comprehensive Immigration Reform

On Tuesday, January 29, 2013, President of the United States Barack Obama outlined important steps on the way to a comprehensive immigration reform.  The key principles include strengthening border security, cracking down on employers who hire undocumented workers, streamlining legal immigration and -- most importantly -- offering undocumented workers an earned path to citizenship. 

Click here to view the full White House press release.

Senate Publishes Bipartisan Framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

U.S. Senators Schumer, McCain, Durbin, Graham, Menendez, Rubio, Bennet, and Flake published a framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation that will ensure a successful permanent reform to the immigration system that will not need to be revisited.  The framework lays out four basic pillars the legislation will address:

• Create a tough but fair path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants currently living in the United States that is contingent upon securing our borders and tracking whether legal immigrants have left the country when required;
• Reform our legal immigration system to better recognize the importance of characteristics that will help build the American economy and strengthen American families;
• Create an effective employment verification system that will prevent identity theft and end the hiring of future unauthorized workers; and,
• Establish an improved process for admitting future workers to serve our nation’s workforce needs, while simultaneously protecting all workers.

To read the full framework, click here.

HIAS celebrates its Centennial with a Freedom Grove

By LISA PEVTZOW

"We are a people, a nation of immigrants, who honor our roots," said Jeffrey Kriezelman, chairman of the board of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society of Chicago (HIAS Chicago).

And so in honor of HIAS Chicago's milestone Centennial and the tens of thousands of immigrants that have planted roots in this community through HIAS Chicago, on Thursday, June 21, a Freedom Grove of 100 trees will be dedicated...read more

HIAS Chicago celebrated its Centennial with Freedom Grove planting

In honor of HIAS Chicago's Centennial milestone and the tens of thousands of refugees and  immigrants that have planted roots in this community through HIAS Chicago, a Freedom Grove of 100 trees was dedicated in Channel Runne Park in Lincolnwood on Thursday, June 21st. Distinguished community leaders, Harvey Barnett and Igor Boguslavsky, were co-chairs of this special celebration."Trees are like immigrants who come to this country," said Suzanne Franklin, Director of HIAS Chicago. "Their roots grow deep, they enrich the earth and they become tall and plentiful, a canopy that shelters us and makes our world stronger and more vibrant."  Read more… 

HIAS Chicago Celebrates Its Centennial.  Watch the HIAS Chicago 100th Anniversary Video…

Watch the 100th Anniversary Video

The HIAS Chicago Freedom Grove Celebrates Our Immigrant Past, Present and Future

One hundred years after its beginning in a humble storefront at Maxwell and Morgan streets, HIAS Chicago continues to help immigrants resettle, connect with the community and advance toward United States citizenship.

“All of us have been touched by our immigrant roots. It defines who we are,” said Suzanne Franklin, Executive Director of HIAS Chicago.

Marking a century of service is an important milestone that calls for a meaningful celebration.

“We really wanted to do something symbolic,” Franklin said. “Immigrants plant roots in our communities, helping them grow and flourish.”

HIAS Chicago is partnering with the Village of Lincolnwood, which also is celebrating its Centennial, to create the HIAS Chicago Freedom Grove at Channel Runne Park, along the North Shore Channel between Touhy and Devon avenues. One hundred trees will be planted during a dedication ceremony on June 21, 2012. The Freedom Grove will honor, remember and celebrate family members and friends who have been touched by HIAS’s services.

The dedication of the Freedom Grove will spotlight HIAS Chicago’s newly launched three-year campaign to raise $2 million for the HIAS Chicago Endowment Foundation. Income from the endowment will help support essential services for the next 100 years and beyond. All commitments are considered gifts to the Jewish Federation’s Centennial Campaign. Group and individual plaques listing donors’ names will make the HIAS Chicago Freedom Grove a legacy for generations to come.   Read more…

Holocaust Victims Commemoration and presentation of the Album “Drobitsky Yar”

The 71st anniversary of the massive killing in Babiy Yar, Ukraine, in 1941, was marked by a special commemorative program at the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie, Illinois, on September 30, 2012.

Read more…   English    Русский

 

Open For Business: How Immigrants Are Driving Small Business Creation In The United States

Open  For Business: How Immigrants Are Driving Small Business Creation In The  United States” analyzes the increasing importance of foreign-born  entrepreneurs  on U.S. economic growth and job creation. Picking up and moving to  another country is brave and risky, so perhaps it is not surprising that  immigrants are venturing out and starting new businesses at a rate that  far outpaces their share of the population.  From local neighborhood shops to America’s largest companies, immigrant  business owners contribute more than $775 billion dollars in revenue to  our annual Gross Domestic Product and employ one out of every ten  American workers at privately-owned companies  across the country.

Key findings of the report include:

• Immigrants started 28% of all new U.S. businesses in 2011, despite accounting for just 12.9% of the U.S. population
• Over the last 15 years, immigrants have increased the rate by which  they start businesses by more than 50 percent, while the native-born  have seen  their business generation rate decline by 10 percent
• Immigrants are now more than twice as likely to start a business as the native-born
•  Immigrants start more than 25% of all businesses in seven of the eight  sectors of the economy that the U.S. government expects to grow the  fastest  over the next decade. These include health care and social assistance  (28.7%), construction (31.8%), retail trade (29.1%) and leisure and  hospitality (23.9%), among others.

Read more...

USCIS Holds Special Naturalization Ceremony in Conjunction with Hebrew Immigrant Society (HIAS Chicago) and the Village of Lincolnwood

LINCOLNWOOD — A group of 50 area residents representing 28 countries were sworn-in as U.S. citizens Tuesday during a special ceremony at the Village of Lincolnwood’s Park District Community Center. The ceremony marked the 100-year anniversaries of both the Hebrew Immigrant Society (HIAS Chicago) and the Village of Lincolnwood...read more

 

HIAS Chicago 2012 Annual Meeting & Scholarship Awards

HIAS Chicago’s 2012 Annual Meeting and Scholarship Awards was graciously hosted by Synagogue F.R.E.E  on May 21^st this year, relocating from the downtown area due to the NATO Summit in Chicago. Read more...

HIAS Chicago Commemorates Victory Day

On May 10th at Temple Judea Mispah in Skokie a special program was held to pay tribute to the family members who some of us never knew because of this war, and to those others who survived and gave us life… read more

US and Illinois Immigrants by the Numbers

Immigrants are a growing and increasingly important part of our nation’s and our state’s population.

US and Illinois Immigrants by the Numbers (pdf) (496K)

Lawful Permanent Residents Eligible to Naturalize

Estimates of the Legal Permanent Resident Population in 2010.

Lawful Permanent Residents Eligible to Naturalize (October 2011) (pdf) (350K)