Stories
Company Founder, a Chinese Immigrant, Brings Factory Jobs from Asia to Maryland
In 2011, Chesapeake Bay Candle hit a unique milestone. That was the year the company, which manufactures high-end decorative candles, moved a significant portion of its production operations out of Vietnam and began manufacturing its products in a factory near Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Photo: Sherri Cunningham / CC… Read More
Pastor: U.S. Economy Needs Low-Skilled Immigrants, Too
The Missouri Bootheel, in the far southeastern corner of Missouri, is not known for its immigrants, who account for just 1.3 percent of the population. But Sunday mass at St. Cecilia’s Parish in Kennett is full of foreign-born worshippers. Of the 250 families who attend the church, roughly two-thirds are… Read More
Immigrants are ‘Our Colleagues, Our Employees’ Says Advocate
Maria Teresa Borden, a journalist-turned-communications professional, was born in the United States, but she has an intimate understanding of the reasons people leave their native countries to start new lives. Her parents were refugees who fled Cuba after the revolution. And in Texas, where she lived from the age of… Read More
Israeli Immigrant Offers Middle East Flavor and Philanthropy to Iowa City
When Naftaly Stramer became a U.S. citizen in 2001, the judge presiding over the ceremony had inspiring words for the diverse group of new Americans: “You are becoming American citizens and you are pledging allegiance to the United States, but don’t forget the heritage that you came from. You are… Read More
Dreamers Play Vital Role in Texas Economy
Sergio Ramos was born in Texas and has lived in southeast Texas for more than 60 years. The only sign he is an immigrant is his lingering Spanish accent. As soon as he started studying English in the border town of Harlingen at age 13 — his father went back… Read More
Welcoming Immigrants to Georgia Affirms Basic Values, Reverend Says
To the Reverend James T. Said, rector of Saint Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Augusta, Georgia, and a member of the local Progressive Religious Coalition (PRC), advocating for immigration reform is deeply tied to his religion. “The Progressive Religious Coalition believes we should affirm the values of love, justice,… Read More
After Fleeing Pinochet, Family Endures the Long Wait of U.S. Policy
Though born in Connecticut, successful entrepreneur and videographer Max Moraga has experienced xenophobia and the consequences of U.S. immigration policy firsthand. As a child, the first-generation Chilean-American was targeted for his Hispanic heritage. He was walking past the supermarket in his largely white, rural Connecticut town one day, when a… Read More
Taiwanese Scholar Adds Value to Pennsylvania Campus
Students at Delaware Valley University, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, are often surprised to learn that their European history professor is a Taiwanese immigrant. But for Dr. Shih-chieh “Jay” Su, studying and teaching in the United States has made perfect sense. “Academic freedom in the U.S. higher education system is very protected for teachers,”… Read More
Adding ‘One More at the Table’ Reaps Rewards, Says Financial Advisor
When Colleen Beckemeyer was growing up in St. Louis, family Thanksgivings had an international flair. Her father was a professor of finance at St. Louis University and made a point of inviting students from places like Spain, Thailand, and Hong Kong to join them for dinner. “They were always so gracious… Read More
The Son of an Undocumented Immigrant Is Keeping Your Data Safe
Millions of people and thousands of corporations who use cloud storage and software powered by Dell don’t know it, but the son of an undocumented immigrant is keeping their data safe. His name is Carlos Phoenix, and he’s the global cyber strategist for a Dell subsidiary called VMware. “Our software powers a… Read More
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