MODULE 5UNDERSTANDING LEGAL ISSUES OF NEW

POPULATIONS

Unit 1: Immigration & Legal Issues of New Populations in Your Communities.

Introduction

Unit 1 - Immigration and Legal Issues provides a broad overview of the topics and issues that will be elaborated on in the subsequent units in this module.

Topics Covered in Module 5

Unit 1 Immigration & Legal Issues of New Populations in Your Communities

Unit 2 Understanding Cultures - Building Bridges Across the Cultures in Your Communities

Unit 3 Accessing Public Benefits

Topics Covered in Module 5

Unit 4 Life Skills & Challenges Unit 5 Work Permits, Green Cards,

Permanent Residency, Citizenship & Deportation

Unit 6 Sources for Basic Immigration & Legal Information

America Is a Melting Pot

America is a melting pot of races, cultures and religious groups that have come from many points on the globe. In fact, the United States is often referred to as a “nation of immigrants”.

Major Immigrant Groups In the U.S.Historical Trends (1820-2002)

Top 10 Largest U.S. Immigrant Groups Germans Mexicans Italians Britons Irish Canadians

Largest Immigrant Groups In U.S.Historical Trends (1820-2002)

Former USSR Citizens Austrians Hungarians Filipinos

Major New ImmigrantsFiscal Year (FY) 2002

While the aforementioned groups represent the largest immigrant groups in the U.S. over the past century, Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service data (FY 2002) indicates that the majority of new immigrants in the U.S. come from:

North America - Mexico Asia - India & China

People Immigrate to America for a Number of Reasons

The Most Common Reasons Include: Seeking Economic Opportunity & a Better

Way of Life Reuniting with Loved Ones Fleeing Political Persecution Pursuing Religious Freedom

Legal Versus Illegal Immigration

On average, approximately one million immigrants arrive in the U.S. each year;

Of these, 700,000 enter as lawful permanent residents;

Another 100,000 to 150,000 enter legally as refugees or others fleeing persecution; and

Undocumented immigrants constitute 1% of the total U.S. population.

Illegal Immigrants

Contrary to popular belief, most immigrants who are here illegally (6 out of 10) enter the U.S. legally with a student, tourist, or business visa and become illegal when they remain in the U.S. after their visas expire.

U.S. Priorities for Legal Immigration

Most legal immigrants, about 8 out of 11, come to join close family members.

Family Reunification

Family-sponsored immigrants enter as either immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, such as:

Spouses Unmarried minor children, or Parents

Family Reunification

Relatives of permanent residents, and Siblings of U.S. citizens

Enter through the family preference system.

An Important Aspect of U.S. Immigration Policy

Family reunification is a key aspect of U.S. immigration policy and is based on the premise that strong families build good communities.

Admission of Skilled Workers

The second priority of the U.S. legal immigration system is to allow U.S. employers access to a small number of skilled workers from other countries when qualified Americans are not available.

Religious & Political Freedom

U.S. immigration policy acknowledges our support of religious and political freedom and ensures our commitment to advocate and provide a haven for individuals fleeing oppression and persecution.

Overview of Common Immigrant Issues

Obtaining an Immigrant Visa Definition of Immigrant Who Is Eligible to Apply for the Visa? How Can the Applicant Determine When the

Visa Number Will Be Available?

Common Issues

Becoming a Permanent Resident Who is Eligible to Apply? What is the Process? Where To Apply?

Common Issues

Obtaining a Work Permit Who Is Eligible? What is the Procedure for Applying?

Common Issues

Public Benefits

Who Is Eligible?

What Type of Benefits are Available?

Where To Go For Services?

Legal Resources

For Immigrants Needing Legal Guidance

What are the Resources In Your Community?

What National Organizations and Groups Can Provide Support?

Building Bridges Across Cultures

Overcoming Barriers of Language & Culture– How Does the New Entrant Cope With the New

Society?– Are There Local Support Groups that Can Help?

Building Bridges Across Cultures

How Can the Extension Educator Enhance the New Immigrant’s Assimilation Into the Community?The Extension Educator Bridging Services to Needs

– Educate Potential Employers About the Skill-Pool Available Through New Immigrant Groups

– Promote Cultural Awareness & Acceptance Through Cultural Community Activities Developed In Partnership with Local Support Groups.