Lawyer Says Asylum Seekers Can Wait Years Just To See a Judge
The worst part of representing asylum-seekers in the U.S. legal system is the wait. “It’s awful,” says Jenny Rizzo, who provided pro bono legal representation to refugees in Buffalo, New York, and now serves as executive director of The Pro Bono Project in New Orleans. The system is so overburdened… Read More
Upstate, a Fourth Generation Farmer Makes Passionate Plea for Immigration Reform
Brian Reeves has a hiring problem. Before the fourth-generation farmer can hire seasonal employees from abroad, he must first advertise the job openings in the local media. But Reeves, who sells his produce to both national chains and mom and pop groceries, says he almost never gets any takers. Employees… Read More
Visionary Indian Entrepreneur Has Created Thousands of Jobs for Americans
Ragy Thomas, founder and CEO of the social media platform Sprinklr, believes that a welcoming, streamlined immigration policy is vital to the economic future of America. As a technology entrepreneur, investor, and visionary, who has founded four startups and created thousands of jobs, Thomas’ own story reveals how drawing global… Read More
Mexican-Born Immigrant Has a Ninth Grade Education—and a Highly Successful Restaurant in Waco
For Cesar Leal, life in the United States “is like having a big table full of food and you’re just allowed to eat until you’re full.” It’s fitting then, that Leal’s livelihood in Waco, Texas, revolves around food. Originally from Mexico and now a U.S. citizen, the entrepreneur opened Leal’s… Read More
Immigrants Add Value to Local Economy, Says the Executive Director of Catholic Charities in East Texas
When the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy passed in 2012, Nell Lawrence, the executive director of Catholic Charities in East Texas, didn’t expect it to impact her life very much. DACA shields many young undocumented immigrants from deportation and allows them to work here legally. But Lawrence expected… Read More
Pastor Peter Matthews Says Congressional Republicans Are Out of Step with Their Evangelical Constituents
In 2015, when Pastor Peter Matthews went to Washington, DC, to urge Congress to pass immigration reform, he and his fellow evangelical leaders realized just how disconnected congressional leaders had become from their evangelical base. In one meeting with then-Speaker John Boehner’s advisors, Matthews and the other pastors made a… Read More
Immigration Policy Prevents Rural Louisiana Schools from Hiring Qualified Teachers, Says Attorney
As an immigration attorney, Kathleen Gasparian works with a variety of small businesses that are trying to secure visas for foreign-born workers. “I have many employers come into my office for all sorts of jobs,” she says. They tell her, “‘I need tree-cutters. I need a neurosurgeon.’” And all too… Read More
Today’s NY Primary: How Immigrants are Contributing in the Empire State
After rigorous campaigning in the Empire State, the presidential hopefuls watch as New Yorkers head to the polls today to vote in the state’s primary election. Clinton, Sanders, and Trump certainly hope to reign victorious on their home turf, especially since New York has the potential to award a large… Read More
Building Bridges Across Cultural Divides
Kansas Romportl is a 29-year-old evangelical who attends a mega-church in Roseville, Minnesota. She believes that God’s love extends equally to everyone and demonstrates this belief by helping welcome refugees and immigrants. She teaches newcomers how to plant and harvest, and she provides translation assistance to immigrants who need help navigating… Read More
“Gateways for Growth Challenge” to Highlight, Enhance Immigrants’ Economic Contributions
In December 2015, the Partnership for a New American Economy (PNAE) and Welcoming America put out an open call for applications from chambers of commerce, local governments, and civil society organizations across the United States to participate in the Gateways for Growth Challenge. Through… Read More
All gifts are matched dollar for dollar
No one should face the immigration system alone
