Stories
Immigrants Want the Opportunity to Work for Their Families, Texas Judge Says
Armando Rodriguez, a Mexican-American from Houston’s rough-and-tumble Fifth Ward, has had a career marked by many firsts. He was the first person in his family to become a lawyer — though all of his siblings graduated from college. And after being elected in 1974 as a justice of the peace… Read More
Mexican Contractor Started From Scratch, Now Builds Jobs
In August 2017, Salvador Ayala fulfilled a lifelong dream. The Bucks County, Pennsylvania, business owner purchased a house for his family — in cash. “That was a huge accomplishment for me,” says Ayala, a former undocumented immigrant from Mexico, who now owns Sal Home Improvement, a painting and remodeling company… Read More
Without Migrant Workers, Summer Sours for Cape Cod Businesses
From April until Thanksgiving each year, a neon lobster shines out over the streets of Provincetown, Massachusetts, calling tourists to The Lobster Pot, where for the past 45 years Chef Tim McNulty’s family has been serving up lobster rolls, chowder, and other Cape Cod specialties to as many as 200,000… Read More
Immigrant Entrepreneur’s Message to Washington: Do What’s Right, Not What’s Popular
Miriam, a popular brunch spot in Park Slope Brooklyn, has served one million eggs since it opened in 2005. The Mediterranean restaurant, known for its Arab-influenced Israeli foods like Shakshuka and Sabich eggplant sandwiches, frequently has lines out the door on the weekends. These days, gourmet Israeli cuisine is common… Read More
Campus Theologian Offers Comfort and Aid to Refugees in Pennsylvania
When it comes to immigration, Dr. Helen Wolf, executive director of the University of Scranton’s Office of Campus Ministries, a nationally recognized Catholic and Jesuit university, looks to the example of Pope Francis. In September 2015, shortly after she took on the position, “He called on Catholics and individuals… Read More
Student Cried for Joy the Day DACA Announced, Now She’s Fighting to Preserve it
Jessica Moreno Cacho is not only a Dreamer — she’s a doer. She was brought to the United States undocumented from her native Peru by her parents when she was just 8 years old. Her dad had been out of work for more than a year, and crime rates were… Read More
Young Advocate: Without Newcomers, Economy Would Not Survive
After his father’s cancer returned in 2016, Phillip Germain, then 18 and a college student, took care of him. It was a pivotal moment for the young man. His father’s care was contingent upon affordable healthcare through the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and Social Security. In short: public policy decisions… Read More
The 21st Century University — and Economy — Depends on International Students
“What people don’t understand is that education is a business right now — especially international education,” says Karin Lee, chair of the Mississippi Association of International Educators and Study Mississippi Consortium. “Nationally, international students account for just 5 percent of the students enrolled in American colleges and universities, and yet… Read More
WFTS Tampa Bay: Florida documentary series ‘Making it in America’ features Ybor City immigrants
A Florida documentary series titled ‘Making it in America’ highlights Ybor City and the success of immigrant entrepreneurs. The video by Explica Media was independently produced to show the wide-range of entrepreneurs that includes an immigrant from Panama. Roberto Torres, owner of the Blind Tiger Cafe, is highlighted in the video by showcasing… Read More
In America, Mississippi Lawyer Sees Strength in Diversity
In 2002, attorney decided to become a small business owner. He opened Schwindaman Law Firm, and — with the help of a full-time paralegal — now takes on about 70 cases a year. At least 80 percent are immigration cases, covering everything from citizenship and asylum issues to student and… Read More
All gifts are matched dollar for dollar
No one should face the immigration system alone
