United States of America

Immigrant and Community Leader from Mexico Gives Back to the Community that Raised Her

Balbina Valadez has been working with nonprofits since she graduated from high school, providing information on healthcare services, interpreting for immigrants, and conducting research on a range of issues. “I’m one of those people that likes to learn a lot of things,” she says. “And I like to help… Read More

Vietnamese Immigrant Wants to Help Her Community for Future Generations

Like so many Vietnamese people, Joanne Nguyen has lived a life shaped by American foreign policy. When she was born, in 1966, U.S. troops were already engaged in the ground war and her father, an English professor in Saigon, had been drafted into the South Vietnamese Army to assist U.S. Read More

NAE Statement on the Joint Cabinet Commitment to Improving the H-2A Agricultural Worker Visa

Following the announcement that four cabinet agencies – the Departments of Agriculture, Labor, State, and Homeland Security – are working in coordination to propose streamlining and improving the H-2A agricultural visa program, New American Economy President John Feinblatt issued the following statement: “Simplifying the H-2A visa program would pay immediate dividends… Read More

WCIA: County recognized for immigrant growth

The University YMCA’s New American Welcome Center is hosting a meeting to talk about immigration impact. Members are going over results of a report showing the demographic and economic contributions immigrants in Champaign County have made. The county was recognized as a recipient of the Gateways for Growth Award; given to communities with… Read More

Immigrant Entrepreneur from Mexico Pays it Forward in Urbana, IL

Mauricio Salinas grew up poor in Puebla, Mexico. In 1986, as a 19-year-old fresh out of high school, he came to the United States looking for a better life. He worked in landscaping and as a food server, and managed to get an education at Parkland College in Champaign. Still,… Read More

Post Bulletin: Austin commission unveils “Strategic Welcoming Plan”

The Austin Human Rights Commission presented its “Austin Strategic Welcoming Plan” during Monday night’s Austin City Council meeting. Initiated in July 2016, the wel coming plan focuses on making Austin an inclusive community for all residents. Twenty people from local government, schools, businesses, and nonprofits created the plan over the… Read More

Advocates File FOIA Request for ICE Documents on Detention of Pregnant Women

Through this request, the organizations seek more information regarding the treatment of pregnant individuals held in Immigration and Custom Enforcement custody and any system used to track and monitor pregnant detainees. Read More

Without DACA, U.S. Risks Losing Country’s Educated Talent

When Ben A. was a high-school senior in north Texas, he was class valedictorian, president of the school’s National Honor Society chapter, and had a full scholarship to Harvard University. But his girlfriend’s father still disapproved of their relationship because he was an undocumented immigrant. “It’s one of the most… Read More