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MODULE 5 UNDERSTANDING LEGAL ISSUES OF NEW POPULATIONS

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

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MODULE 5 UNDERSTANDING LEGAL ISSUES OF NEW POPULATIONS

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    1. MODULE 5 UNDERSTANDING LEGAL ISSUES OF NEW POPULATIONS Unit 1: Immigration & Legal Issues of New Populations in Your Communities.

    2. 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.

    3. 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

    4. 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

    5. 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”.

    6. Major Immigrant Groups In the U.S. Historical Trends (1820-2002) Top 10 Largest U.S. Immigrant Groups Germans Mexicans Italians Britons Irish Canadians

    7. Largest Immigrant Groups In U.S. Historical Trends (1820-2002) Former USSR Citizens Austrians Hungarians Filipinos

    8. Major New Immigrants Fiscal 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

    9. 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

    10. 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.

    11. 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.

    12. U.S. Priorities for Legal Immigration Most legal immigrants, about 8 out of 11, come to join close family members.

    13. Family Reunification Family-sponsored immigrants enter as either immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, such as: Spouses Unmarried minor children, or Parents

    14. Family Reunification Relatives of permanent residents, and Siblings of U.S. citizens Enter through the family preference system. While there are unlimited number of visas issued for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, the Bureau of Citizenship data shows that only around 235,000 visas have been issued annually in this category in recent years. The family preference system is far more restrictive, lengthy and limits the number of visas issued to a total of 226,000 per year. There can also be extensive waiting periods.While there are unlimited number of visas issued for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, the Bureau of Citizenship data shows that only around 235,000 visas have been issued annually in this category in recent years. The family preference system is far more restrictive, lengthy and limits the number of visas issued to a total of 226,000 per year. There can also be extensive waiting periods.

    15. 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.

    16. 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. The U.S. has sought skilled labor from around the world throughout the history of the nation. Immigrant workers have contributed much to the building of the U.S. and its economic growth.The U.S. has sought skilled labor from around the world throughout the history of the nation. Immigrant workers have contributed much to the building of the U.S. and its economic growth.

    17. 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.

    18. 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? The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) defines an immigrant as any alien in the U.S., except for those legally admitted under specific non-immigrant categories. Non-immigrant categories include: foreign government officials; visitors for business and pleasure; aliens in transit through the U.S.; treaty traders and investors; students, international representatives; temporary workers and trainees; representatives of foreign information media; exchange visitors; fiance(e)s of U.S. citizens; intra-company transferees; NATO officials; religious workers; and some others. Who Applies: An immigrant petition must be filed by a relative or employer of the alien seeking a visa. If the USCIS approves the immigrant petition, a visa number is assigned and an immigrant visa becomes available. How Do You Know When the Visa Number Will Be Available: Each approved visa petition is placed in chronological order according to the date the visa petition was filed. The date the visa petition was filed is known as the priority date. The Department of State publishes a bulletin that shows the month and year of the visa petitions they are working on by country and preference category. You can estimate the amount of time it will take to get your visa number by comparing your priority date with the date listed in the bulletin.The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) defines an immigrant as any alien in the U.S., except for those legally admitted under specific non-immigrant categories. Non-immigrant categories include: foreign government officials; visitors for business and pleasure; aliens in transit through the U.S.; treaty traders and investors; students, international representatives; temporary workers and trainees; representatives of foreign information media; exchange visitors; fiance(e)s of U.S. citizens; intra-company transferees; NATO officials; religious workers; and some others. Who Applies: An immigrant petition must be filed by a relative or employer of the alien seeking a visa. If the USCIS approves the immigrant petition, a visa number is assigned and an immigrant visa becomes available. How Do You Know When the Visa Number Will Be Available: Each approved visa petition is placed in chronological order according to the date the visa petition was filed. The date the visa petition was filed is known as the priority date. The Department of State publishes a bulletin that shows the month and year of the visa petitions they are working on by country and preference category. You can estimate the amount of time it will take to get your visa number by comparing your priority date with the date listed in the bulletin.

    19. Common Issues Becoming a Permanent Resident Who is Eligible to Apply? What is the Process? Where To Apply? If the alien who has been granted a visa is already in the U.S. he/she may apply to adjust to permanent resident status after the visa number has been assigned. If the alien is outside of the U.S. when the visa number becomes available, he/she must go to the local U.S. Consulate to finalize processing. If the alien who has been granted a visa is already in the U.S. he/she may apply to adjust to permanent resident status after the visa number has been assigned. If the alien is outside of the U.S. when the visa number becomes available, he/she must go to the local U.S. Consulate to finalize processing.

    20. Common Issues Obtaining a Work Permit Who Is Eligible? What is the Procedure for Applying?

    21. Common Issues Public Benefits Who Is Eligible? What Type of Benefits are Available? Where To Go For Services?

    22. Legal Resources For Immigrants Needing Legal Guidance What are the Resources In Your Community? What National Organizations and Groups Can Provide Support?

    23. 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?

    24. 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.

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