South Carolina, District 5

How Experts Are Addressing Immigrant Underemployment and Why it Matters
Many immigrants bring advanced expertise when they come to the United States, but those skills are often underutilized. Due to a range of complex factors, such as professional credentialing and licensing requirements, immigrants’ qualifications are often overlooked. Experts are making inroads to address this, recognizing that such… Read More

Missoulian: Report: Immigrants in the Missoula region generate over $26M in tax revenue each year
Although immigrants make up only 2.3 percent of the total population of Missoula and four surrounding counties, those 4,654 people contributed $219.9 million to the goods produced and services provided in the region, $19.3 million in federal taxes and $7 million in state and local taxes in 2016 alone. That… Read More

Border Wall Prototypes Complete, Next Steps Unclear
Border apprehensions, which is the main indicator used to examine how many people are attempting to enter the United States are at record lows not seen since the 1970s. A September report released by the Department of Homeland Security also indicates the U.S.-Mexico border is now more secure… Read More

New York Times: If You Want to MAGA, Save DACA
What is it, really, that makes a country great? Surely not size. Russia has 56 times the territory and more than twice the population of Italy. Yet Italy’s economy, troubled as it is, is 44 percent larger than Russia’s. Read More

How Many Dreamers May See a Promising New Reality?
With the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program now at risk of being terminated by the courts or the administration, pressure is building on Congress to pass legislation which permanently addresses the plight of undocumented young people who were brought to the United States as children. Bills already… Read More

‘Imagine the Growth’ that Legalizing Immigrants Would Bring, Says Policy Analyst
“Immigrants have such great economic potential,” says Mexican-born economist and healthcare consultant Luis Arzaluz. “They come here, they learn the language — they buy cars — and they could contribute even more.” Why did he mention buying cars? Because Arzaluz has the automotive industry to thank for his U.S. citizenship. Read More

Congress Lowers Hiring Standards for Corruption and Abuse Plagued Border Patrol
The House of Representatives passed The Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act (H.R.2213) on Wednesday evening. The measure—which passed the House by a vote of 282-137, which includes 51 yes votes from Democrats and no opposition from Republicans—is designed to weaken Customs and Border Protection hiring standards by exempting some applicants from… Read More

“Baby Jails” Bills Die a Slow Death
As the legislative session in Texas drew to a close on Monday, immigration advocates around the country celebrated the death of the “baby jails” bill—a measure that would have licensed Texas family detention centers as “child-care facilities.” Senate Bill 1018 was the latest attempt to lower state standards so… Read More

Rwandan’s Successful Kids Are America’s Gain
For Rwandan native Judith Mukaruziga, home is a central part of life. As a real estate agent in State College, Pennsylvania, Mukaruziga takes great satisfaction in helping clients find just the right house. But her greatest sense of meaning comes from building a loving, stable home with her husband and… Read More

Immigrant Potential Is an Expensive Thing to Waste
High-skilled new Americans often face obstacles in obtaining jobs appropriate to their skill level. There are many reasons for this. Those who are educated outside the U.S. may fail to have their foreign training recognized by U.S. employers and licensing bureaus. Some lack proficiency in English and race and ethnicity… Read More
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