This week’s blog roundup will cover state news and lots of new studies and reports.
This week’s highlight is the announcement from the top two labor federations, AFL-CIO and the Change to Win federation of a framework for comprehensive immigration reform, including support for legalization of undocumented immigrants.
Last Friday in Raleigh, North Carolina, activists marched in protest of the 287(g) program. The march was part of a five-day “Pilgrimage for Justice and Peace" by 33 organizations and churches.
In Maryland, lawmakers passed a law that prevents motorists who cannot prove legal status in the country from obtaining a Maryland license, and allows those who currently have licenses to keep them until 2015.
New Jersey police are profiling Latinos, according to a new Seton Hall Law School report.
In New York City on May 1st, immigration advocates will rally in Madison Square Park to push for immigration reform and immigrant healthcare.
New Reports
The Department of Homeland Security is warning of a 54% increase in rightwing extremist activity, provoked by factors including the economic recession. More here.
A new study by the Pew Hispanic Center found that children of undocumented immigrants born in the U.S. are nearly twice as likely as those with American-born parents to live in poverty. The study also found that the nation’s 8.3 million undocumented immigrant workers make up 5.4% of the work force in March 2008.
OneAmerica has a new report “Building Washington’s Future: Immigrant Workers’ Contributions to State’s Economy” that documents immigrant contributions to Washington State, including over $2 billion in tax revenues and over 20 percent of the consumer market. Other advocates are pointing to a Congressional Budget Office study that shows that legalization would add tens of billions of dollars to the U.S. Treasury.
An AP investigation has documented that since 2000, more than 55 U.S. citizens were arrested as illegal immigrants or deportable residents. More here.
Read more at The Opportunity Agenda’s blog.
