Latinos gradually make their way to the polls

Hey readers!

I read an article in The Daily Tar Heel about how Latino immigration has affected voting in Orange County, if you're interested you can read it here.

On the lookout

Be on the lookout for these blogs!

It's A Green World After All

I knew water preservation was important, but I didn't know the situation was this bad until I started reading this blog!
Water preservation is done to ameliorate the poor resource situtation not only America, but the whole world faces today.
Shocking images like the aereal shore of the Aral Sea today, compared to the one taken in 1989, scary facts like only 2% of the water on Earth is safe to drink and an interesting poll makes me want to come back and check up on this blog!
Fresh water supply is definitely becoming a growing concern for Americans, and even though we don't hear about it too much on the debates, action needs to be taken soon, even if it only means using water saving appliances at home.

Department of Energy

I had really no idea the U.S. had such a big oil-dependency. Issues like off-shore drilling and hybrid automobiles are starting to become more and more important to people in the United States, and this blog has done a good job informing me about all of this.
Also, it does a good job showing the differences between McCain and Obama's position on the subject. I didn't know McCain was interested in develeoping cleaner coal plants, or that Obama was overall focused on enviromentally-friendly ways to improve industries.

Crime and Punishment... and rehabilitation?

To say that I had not give the issue of rehabilitation much thought at all is not an understatement. That's why when I started reading this blog I was unsure if I was going to be very interested in it, but the opposite happened, I wanted to learn more and more about the subject!
The blog talks about rehabilitation as a way to avoid punishment by slowly introducing convicts back into society in a way that they are danger-free to citizens and a positive addition to society.
The number of ex-convicts who commit crimes after they are released is outrageous, so, how hasn't rehabilitation been more important to candidates, policy makers and citizens in general?
I loved the post on the celebrities escaping the judicial system (3 hour sentences?!).

INCREDIBLE video

Seriously readers, take only 4 minutes of your life to watch this... so interesting, and incredibly well made!

I hope you like it!

Immigration

* Video by: Max Joseph , Chris Weller | Music by: Ratatat

* Posted: October 24, 2008 at 4:29 pm

People have flocked to the melting pot we now know as America for the last 13,000 years. Since 2000, the U.S. has welcomed more than 10 million immigrants, who leave behind places like the Philippines, India, China, and Mexico. Our latest video, "Coming to America," explores the history, politics, and challenges of taking in the world's "huddled masses."

A whole lot of immigration

Here's a list of 10 blogs I think you'd love to visit! Enjoy!

Coyote Blog: Dispatches from a Small Business

Warren Meyer posts about everything: economics, looney tunes, immigration, government, books, and his hometown Arizona. On one of my favorite posts of his "Viva immigration" he talks about how he's absolutely against the building of the wall. He says: "At the end of the day, the vast, vast majority of people crossing the border are looking for a job. That's it. They are not terrorists or foreign spies or criminals -- they are ordinary people looking for a job, often to support their family."

ImmigrationProf Blog: A member of the Law Professor Blogs Network

On this blog, editors: Kevin R. Johnson, Bill O. Hing, Raquel Aldana, Leticia Saucedo, Enid F. Trucios-Haynes, all law professors talk about issues like the eligibility for driver's licenses for immigrants, the proposed DNA collection of immigrant detainees, and a lot of other super interesting news that come up about immigration (a lot about judicial issues, but they are actually very easy to read!).


The Issue Blog: exploring the impact of immigration - fact and fiction

It was here where I found out the Bush administration is asking Congress $400 million more dollars to finish building the wall across the border.It also discusses the importance of immigration in the Presidential race. Overall, it has a lot of interesting facts and numbers.

Publius' Forum

A conservative view on immigration, with porst like: "Five Million Illegals Have Illegal Mortgages in U.S.A.!" and "Rising Unemployment and Illegal Immigration." It even talks about how Obama isn't American "enough" because he has a Kenyan father.

The Hedgehog Blog: Political and social observations from two aspiring hedgehogs who love the Isaiah Berlin essay

If you put a little liberal, a cup of Obama, a pinch of sarcams and a whole lot of wit, you get the Hedhegog Blog. On one post about illegal immigration he says: "I continue to be amazed at the yawning gap between what Americans really think about illegal immigration and what the extremes - both liberal and conservative-- seem to think."

Immigration Chronicles

Interesting posts like "Could economic crisis spur illegal immigration?," "Immigration issue expected to drive Latino vote," and "Democrats blamed for lack of immigration reform."

The Uncooperative Bloggers: Brian Bonner Stands For Truth, Justice and the American way!

Now El Presidente Bush wants to give Social Security benefits to illegal aliens? They already receive Welfare benefits, free education for their children, credit cards, home loans and now social security benefits?

We have got to keep hounding our elected cockroaches...

Nice, huh?

Think Sink: Thoughts go in, nothing comes out

Remember when I told you about this guy? The: "I don't want them clogging up our court system fighting for the right to become "legal" aliens," guy?
You can read this to get a taste of what the really extremist anti-illegal immigration people run in their blogs when they want to vent...
"Also, if you want me to take you seriously as a candidate for US citizenship, don't tell me I was once an immigrant. I was born here. I am not now, nor have I ever been, an immigrant. What morons".

Pro Inmigrant

"I Started this blog because the frustration, confrontation and division creating by xenophobics against minorities," he says. Info on social services, the Presindencial election and myths and lies about immigration.

Immigration'08 Blog

The blog of the immigration08 website. Basically a lot of posts about immigration policy, poll numbers and rising latino voter numbers. One of the latests posts is called "Memo to the Candidates: Immigration, Seriously?" to remind candidates to focus on immigration on the debates.

Not guilty?

Crystal Dillman with a photograph of her and her fiancé, Luis Ramirez, an illegal immigrant beaten to death in Shenandoah, Pa.

I came across an article that came out on August this year that really struck me,
It's about Luis Ramirez, a 25 year-old Mexican who had been illegally in the country for six years in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, picking crops and working in factories. Luis got in a street fight with four American teenagers from the area, who left him unconscious in the street.
People still don't know why the fight came to happen, some thing it was just a street fight gone bad, others, believe they singled Luis for being a Mexican immigrant.
Mr. Ramirez died a few days later, leaving his fiance and mother behind.
In the article, some Mexican Shenandoah residents say they are scared of sending their kids to school, because there "they don't like Mexicans."
The teens pleaded not guilty and only two of the teens are being charged with homicide and will be tried as adults.
They also said the attack had nothing to do with him being an immigrant, even though they are people who witnessed them using racial slurs as they kicked Luis around the street.

Extended reading!

A series of articles where Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, and UC San Diego professor and New America Foundation fellow Tomás Jiménez engage in intellectual debates about important immigration issues for this year and the year to come, brought by Los Angeles Times.

A website that analyzes the politics of immigration. It's divided in five sections: Presidential race, Races to watch, News coverage, Blog and Polling. It has a four "experts" on politics that discuss and comment on issues like "What's driving the Latino vote?" It also reports all the latest news that are coming up about immigrations in different medias.

News about illegal immigrants, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times. A list of the highlights on the archives about illegal immigration and latest articles published on t he paper related to illegal immigration, all organized by date. I always find very interesting and of course well written and reliable sources in this list. A lot of amazing pictures too!

Center for immigration studies. Basically a website dedicated to the o research a of the economic impact (among other things) of immigration on America. It's given me a lot of information the economical issues I was a little unsure about. It has good graphs and instructive images to look at.

Americans For Legal Immigration: it's definitely an anti-immigration website, but it has a roundup of daily news, and link to events and rallies about illegal immigration. It also brings the reader's attention to why politics aren't acting on immigration issues.

It's always greener on the other side

It's hard to look objectively at things. Especially when I'm looking at an issue like illegal immigration. Sure, I'm not an illegal immigrant, neither are my parents, members of my family or any of my friends. I filed for a student visa, did all the paperwork and stepped through the immigration offices into America. And do I feel identified with Mexicans crossing the border? Yes, because in a way (I'm not trying to pretend like I have any idea of the things they have had to go through, because I'm sure they have been tougher than anything I've experienced) I know how it feels to be an immigrant.
Do I feel like I'm different from the people in my class? Yes.
Do I feel like people look at me differently because I'm from Latin America? Sometimes, yes.
And I'm in no way victimizing myself. Being Latina is something I take great pride in, and I wouldn't have it any other way, but if being an immigrant for me is hard, I can't even imagine what it could be for those who come illegally.
And that's why I think it's been incredibly enriching experience to investigate this issue, because lets be honest, if you're an illegal immigrant, you can spend all your life surrounded by people and opinions that reaffirm your own. Do I now share the views of those who are anti-illegal immigrants? Not really, but now I can definitely understand them.
I see news about online videogames where you can shoot at pregnant Mexican women crossing the border and still feel disgusted, but now when I go to websites like immigration08 I can tell their news are biased to only show the goods side of immigration.
Life isn't about being on one extreme or the other, it's about finding a path to meet in between. Because , if there's something I've learned, is that people often look out for themselves. While some complain about illegal immigrants taking their jobs, other benefit from it.
As well as some immigrants come looking for a better life and then steal from the Americans here because they don't find jobs to pay for their food or living arrangements, making the incarceration right one fifth above the rate of the American populations as a whole.
When will we start to look around us? What about what's not best for me, but for everyone of us. Why not look for a immigration reform that will help us all? instead of looking for the first thing that will get aliens back to their countries, or one that will give me a free ride into the country?
Why can countries like Cuba or Mexico establish an agreement where they decide to take a legal, organized and secure control of the immigrants without papers that have been detained in their countries, and the U.S. can't do that with any other country?
I think the research I've done has given me the opportunity to step into someone else's shoes. I can understand why Americans would feel it's not fair for illegal immigrants to take their jobs, and I agree with them. When someone is applying for a job legally, that person should have a right to take it over the one that's applying illegally, and I couldn't see that when all I read was news with partisanship for illegal immigration or discussed with people that were biased.
I know I said before that this has taught me that a lot of people look out for their own, but it has also made me realize there are so many selfless and generous people that go out of their way for those who come to American in need, and they are sometimes overshadowed by those who let their xenophobic rants spread all over the Internet.
People want to come to America because it's great country to live and grow, and Americans have worked hard for that to happen, and that can't be overlooked for illegal immigrants just because they want a better place to live. At the same time, they deserve the same chance as us all for happiness, and who are we to take that away from them.

Picture of the day

A sign warns motorist of undocumented immigrants crossing Interstate 5, north of San Ysidro Border Crossing, near San Diego, on Thursday, Aug. 8, 1996. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Shaking the magic 8 ball

So, how will an America without illegal immigrants look like?
We can't know for sure. What do I believe is going to happen?
People are going to try get into the country no matter what. So, we can't just turn your back on the issue and say "get out of my country," but I'm not saying we're supposed to greet them over the wall with open arms. Borders must be secured, and the illegal immigrants who are already here must be offered opportunities to stay under certain conditions (that would later grant them citizenship), or leave the country.
If not, the case scenarios are endless.
I can say that immigration will continue take the jobs Americans have a right to, as well as placing on strain on the unemployment benefits.
They will also decrease tax profits for government even more, by sending the money they earn back to their native country, taking a toll on the overall welfare of the state. They can also raise crime, violence and instability, assuming a lot of illegal immigrants steal before or between jobs.
Or I could say illegal immigrants will take the jobs Americans don't want to do. They will also continue to contribute to the country's cultural diversity and its so called and unique background. And, because right now almost two-thirds of illegal immigrants pay taxes, we can say that number has a potential to increase in the future.
So: what will actually happen? The election of the next President of the United States will have a big say in it.

"Immigration on the backburner"

That's the title of an article published today on the Daily Tar Heel that talks about how illegal immigration has been ignored in presidential debates.
The main reason they think it's being ignored: economy.
This subject has basically blocked a lot of subjects that used to be important in past years' debates.
The article also discusses how illegal immigration can be linked to the economical crisis we are facing:

Ron Woodward, director of immigration reform group NC Listen, said he feels that illegal immigration is inevitably tied to the souring economy, making it a viable topic for debate in the national arena.

As I said on my last post on polarized positions, I think this plus the similarity of the candidate's positions has made the candidates ignore illegal immigration almost completely.
Illegal and non-illegal immigrants want and NEED to know which candidate can back them up. This is a defining issue for so many families in America!
What they don't realize is that there are MANY (including myself!) who are still unsure of what each candidate stands on because they don't talk about it! Ignoring the subject won win you any immigrants - or those who oppose it.

Love it or hate it?

Illegal Immigration: you either you love it or you hate it.
No, not really.
At least, that’s not how it is for me. Even though you can run into some very extremist opinions on the net, like Jeff H. from Kentucky, who says in his blog:
“I hate illegal aliens. I don't want them in my countrymaking imbecilic statements such as "We were all immigrants once."

Others, like Rwarky, appreciate some of the aspects that illegal immigration brings into the picture:
“1) They do jobs I don't want to do.
2) Help make cities more vibrant.
3) I love Latin women.
4) They help divert attention from us African Americans.
5) I love Mexican and Central American food.”

Immigration first became such a debated topic in 1968 when an act was established to eliminate US immigration discrimination based on race, place of birth, sex and residence.
Some people complain about illegal immigrants taking their jobs, some about how without them, some markets would fail. Some believe all Americans should speak English and abide the American ideals, others, believe these immigrants and their cultures are the basic component of what America is today.
To be able to find a middle ground between these two very polarized positions, we have to consider the actual laws that illegal immigrants abide by in the U.S. Right now, illegal immigration is not considered a crime but a civil infraction, illegal entry is considered a misdemeanor. Forging immigration documents is, on the other hand, a crime.
Neither of the Presidential Candidates have such extremist views, thankfully. McCain created a comprehensive immigration reform on 07, but when he was criticized by his peers, he told voters the reform would not be implanted until the borders were secured.
Obama, has supported bills for employment authorization verification system, and temporary worker component. His main goals are to secure the borders, remove incentives to come illegally and work with Mexico.
Immigration hasn't really been brought up a lot in the Presidential debates, or in their speeches. Why? I think it has a lot to do with the fact that both candidates have very similar positions on it, and that both are trying to stand on middle-ground and trying to stay away from severe positions, so they can still count on people with and against immigration. And to me, it feels like they are underestimating our capacity to read through all of this and discover the real reason. Another big reason it hasn't come up though, is that economy has overshadowed everything else...
So how do these two opinions merge? Or better yet, how can we end racist and demeaning rants from haters by enforcing logical laws?
I believe the borders need to be secured, that’s a fact. Also, thousands of people die trying to cross the border every year, not counting the ones that do make it across but end up dying on the American side due to their lack of money or available medical services. But I also believe it’s not the first thing that needs to be done. I think the government should offer illegal immigrants programs for they to gain the American nationality by giving something back (social work, college studies, etc), or show proof that they are working and paying taxes. Also, I think illegal immigrant children should have to go to public schools or colleges. If any of the illegal immigrants don’t follow these rules should then have to go back.
The government can’t make everyone happy, but with rules and laws that limit and help illegal immigrants, we can make both them and Americans satisfied.

Now hiring: Cyber-guards

Welcome to American Border Patrol, from here you can volunteer to be a cyber-guard!
A vast number of web cams lined across the border, scan movement along the border (it could be a dog or a Mexican-- we need you to tell the difference!).
If you spot a pesky alien, you can let the border patrol know With just the push of a button. You'll be responsible for a successful bust!
And the best of all, you can do it all from the comfort of your own home. You can eat, listen to music, knit, pet your kitten (even watch TV if you're a skillful multitasker!): all while being a responsible American citizen.
Join now, serve your country while you can, and do it proudly.

PS: No money is offered, but you'll gain the pride of serving your country.

9 Banks are being nationalized: Hemingway style

The government did it again. And again.
The U.S. government has invested $250 billion in the country's banks and this interventionist move will partially nationalize nine American banks.
The economic emergency is said to restore confidence in financial markets, but in Talkingpointsmemo.com, Josh Marshal says the government needs to be more in the driver's seat about resources.
Also, In Correntewire.com they make fun of the bank’s “tough” position.
After the measure was announced the stocks gained 936.42 points, and the government will receive shares and warrants for common stock.
Blogs all over the Internet have expressed their opinions, and most are hesitant.
The Marginal Revolution said this offer was not voluntary, and because Paulson made it clear it was a one-time thing that should not be rejected.
The New York Times reminded us this is not a new move, because the government has taken stakes in railways, coal and steel over the last century.
Both conservatives and liberal sides have responded. Conservatives are afraid that this will form a hostile regime that garners tremendous grass-roots support.
Liberals are also apprehensive, asking themselves whether this is another move of a soon to be socialist government.
One blogger in particular talked about the latest headlines adorning newspapers, and the ones to come: "Hugo Chávez to meet with Bush to help nationalize banks, healthcare and oil. Bush:"Heckuva job Hugo."
This move is a brave one, because the country has been severely criticized for its involvement in economical policies lately.
I think it’s a necessary decision, and following models successfully achieved in European countries reassures me.
I don’t like to think that my tax money is going to bail out the people who got us into this mess.
At the same time, I don’t want to see our economy go down because no one else can do anything about it.
With how things are going right now, it’s hard to know what will happen next.

The "Great" American Wall

Of the 300 miles of the fence built between the American and Mexican border, No Man's Land is the most secure. That's how the 75 yard sandy corridor—covered with lights, cameras and radars— cutting through San Luis is called. There, it’s easier for unauthorized migrants to be chased down by border agents.
The Secure Fence Act crated in 2006, stated that the wall was created for the prevention of all unlawful U.S. entries, including entries by terrorists, other unlawful aliens, instruments of terrorism, narcotics, and other contraband. Like using the words aliens, terrorism and contraband weren’t enough, it was disheartening to know that both presidential nominees, Obama and McCain voted in favor of the building of this fence.
Illegal immigration is not a new issue for the U.S., especially illegal immigrants coming from the U.S.’s south border.
8.9 million of the total 11.8 million unauthorized immigrants living in the United States in 2007 were from the North America region, including Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. Still, the views on the creation of the border fence are as varied as they are confrontational.

Those who want it, say that Illegal immigrants take almost three times as much in social services as they have to pay in state and federal taxes (for those who pay taxes). Just in 2006, $81.3 billions were spent in unpaid taxed wages paid to illegal immigrants.
Those who don’t want it say that all Social Security Administration projects rely heavily on billions in annual contributions from undocumented immigrant workers.
The building of the wall has even created problems in Congress. Michael Chertof, the Secretary of Homeland Security, suspended more than 30 laws in order to construct the wall. Some of them are laws protecting the environment, endangered species, farms and religious freedom.
Both McCain and Obama have very similar immigration reforms. McCain was at first supported by immigrants because of his support of NAFTA, but after being criticized by his fellow Republicans, has been flip-flopping on the issue ever since. Obama, also harshly criticized on his decision to give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants has not backed out since, making a much more solid stand.
Both candidates voted for the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2007, which gives states the permission to give illegal immigrants in-state tuition for higher education. Also, both voted yes on the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act" of 2006, which creates a guest worker program. Even though their immigration reforms are similar, they have both said the other doesn't have the true interest of immigrants at heart.

Towns located at the border, on both sides, have complained about not being well informed about how, when and where they are building the wall. Others feel it’s unfair and an abuse of private property to build a wall along their terrains. Even so, the government stands by the fence, even suing landowners who refuse to sell their properties!
I think what we should ask ourselves is, who is this wall keeping out?
To me, and probably millions of others, it just feels like my neighbor just built a big tall wall. And that's not very polite.


Photo
Map
Grap

"Model" immigrants

A comment on my last post made me realize I took the wrong perspective on the subject.
But I've decided to correct my mistake! (and leave the last post on the blog as proof).
I talked about how immigration was affecting the way American designer create their work. But I found a new, more interesting way to approach the topic (and in the fashion industry as well!).
I'm going to talk to you about three top american fashion models:

Chanel Iman: Robinson was born in Atlanta, Georgia to China Robinson of Korean heritage and an African American father.

Bianca Gomez: Born in Azusa, California. Both of her parents are Mexican.

Vanessa Hessler: Born in Rome, Italy. She moved to Washington D.C. when she was 8 years old.

These three supermodels who call themselves Americans have toured the World thanks to their modeling career. You wouldn't know by looking at them on the cover of a magazine, but these beauties have probably suffered the struggles any other immigrant has: culture clash, rejection, racism.
When people think of immigrants, people think of poor, uncultured and detrimental individuals. So it's interesting to take these models, who are all successful business (and in this case beautiful) women and call them immigrants.
So often immigration is immediately listed as negative. But what about these "model" immigrants?

I have some very smart readers...

I was so happy to receive so many interesting comments from my first post! To know that this subject is as important to me as it is to you makes me feel even more passionate about it.
I think immigration can be a very personal and sensitive topic because we're not just talking about percentages and graphs, we're talking about real people. Me, you, your neighbor.
So, I would like to address some of the people to took time to comment on my post.
- Shelbita what you said is exactly on point, so many Latin Americans come to the U.S. only to keep surrounding themselves with Hispanics. I guess in a way I can understand me, it's a way not feel that far away from home, but it's an invitation to an even more deep segregation.
- Green girl: I too want to hear more about immigration in the debates! Why has this topic been ignored so much lately?
- Margaret, sweat shop workers in China reminds of a situation that happened here in the U.S. in the 1850's. Did you know that they allowed Mexican workers to come to the U.S. legally just so they could work in cotton farms? Under terrible conditions and miserable wages, just like sweatshop workers...
- John, it's incredible that media personalities like Bill O'Reilly, that gets his message across so many homes in America, would blame illegal immigrants for crimes that go on in the U.S. This kind of close-minded thinking is the one that keeps prejudice and exclusion alive.
- American Blogger, I'm happy to be in a diverse college as well, I feel that UNC is very welcoming to people from different backgrounds, at least, it has been this way for me since I got here. Although, I'd still like to see diversity grow even more!

Immigration & Art: Part I

I was thinking about the ways immigration has shaped American art. And the first thing that popped to mind was the art you can actually wear: fashion.
So I looked up some of the spring 2009 (yes, clothes we'll be wanting to wear a year from now) and came up with some interesting, very international looks from some very national designers.

An indian inspired Sari dress created by
Isaac Mizrahi





















A flamenco inspired dress by
Ralph Lauren





















A french inspired onesie by
Tommy Hilfiger