U.S. Citizenship Compared to China

 Citizens of America may take for granted what it took to become a U.S. citizen. For many of us, we became naturalized citizens at birth, but what about the millions of immigrants currently seeking citizenship? Or what did it take for our immigrant ancestors to become full citizens? For those who take for granted their own citizen ship, surely they don’t know what it takes to become citizens in other countries. In some countries it may be easy but for others it takes many steps to become a citizen. In this blog I will highlight a few key steps to become a U.S. citizen and compare them to China, a country with over a billion people.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, to be a permanent resident, “a person is granted a permanent resident card, commonly called a green card.” There are several ways a person can achieve a green card, “most individuals are sponsored by a family member or employer in the United States”. To be eligible for a green card you must:

- Be eligible for one of the immigrant categories established in the   

   Immigration and Nationality Act

- Have a qualifying immigration petition filed and approved (up to 6 or more

   forms)

- Have an immigrant visa (available upon priority date, preference

   category, and past citizenship)

- Be admissible to the United States (based on health, criminal record,

   security-related, and other grounds)

With over 1.3 billion people living in China, there must some immigrants residing in the country. Naturally, like the U.S., China’s policies are more geared for those who become citizens through birth by someone who’s already a Chinese citizen. According to China’s Nationality Law (1980) some key highlights in becoming a Chinese citizen include:

- China is a unitary multinational state: all nationalities that exist within China     

   have Chinese citizenship

- China does not allow dual citizenship

- A person born in China to at least one Chinese parent is a Chinese citizen

- A person born outside China to at least one Chinese parent is a Chinese

  citizen—unless the parent has acquired foreign nationality status

For Foreigners:

Nationality Law states that foreigners who will abide by the Chinese Constitution and laws can apply to be naturalized as Chinese citizens if they meet one of the following conditions:

1. They have close relatives who are Chinese nationals.

2. They have settled in China

3. They have other legitimate reasons

The application forms can be accessed online (in Chinese) and appears to be 3 pages long.

For those who have interest in comparing U.S. citizenship to other countries this blog may be useful and may spark readers to investigate into other countries as well.

Sources:

1. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

2. http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce/ceindo/eng/lsqw/t87388.htm

Feature Story on Immigration from the UK by Arron Docksey

Summer 2006: due to the humidity it was an especially hot day, the sun was high and it beat down on me and my family with intensity. We were feeling stuffed from the all-you-can-eat breakfast that morning, but the amount of walking we were about to do would sure ease that. The scent of candy followed us as we made our way around  the park, we watched in awe as roller coasters raced  by and Mickey Mouse hats bounced past on top of happy children's heads. This place felt like a dream that I never wanted to wake from. The prospect of another two weeks in America excited me, I knew I would come back at some point, but little did I know that in four years time I'd have the opportunity to live the dream for a whole year.

Summer 2009: it was my first year at The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in England, I had enrolled on a three year BA Hons degree in Film and Media studies and was looking forward to the challenge ahead. Moreover, as a boy who has grown up in small towns, I relished the chance to live independently in a big city. Shortly afterwards this plan was turned on it's head when I learnt that I could spend my second year in the United States. A sandwich year they call it in England (perhaps a term more suited to the American vocabulary...) upon hearing this stunning news  there was an important decision to be made, it was not concerning my interest in the venture, but where in the States I would be living. I knew if all went to plan in my first year at UCLan I could study for a whole year in one of a number of different States, and it felt like a dream come true. I recall reading the list and then stopping as soon as my eyes read 'California,' memories of Disney '06 came flooding back. Where's the dotted line, I asked. However, things were not to be that simple.

I wrote in a blog post that certain requirements must be met for immigration, boxes have to be ticked and certain steps taken; what came of this was months of application and stacks of forms that I didn't know what to do with. In order to study for a year in America I was required to obtain a number of documents, such as a SEVIS form (Student and Exchange Visitors Program), and a DS-156 form (standard non-immigrant visa application), it's hard enough to read these forms, try obtaining them. Once I had these I was able to apply for my J-1 student visa which would allow me to spend 9 months in the USA. With work at University still to be taken care of, and the worry that I might not be able to afford this once in a lifetime opportunity, it was a stressful period, but my heart was set, and study abroad I would.

As my first year drew to a close I had confidence in my grades and an important interview date set for the final stage of my study abroad application; it was a meeting with a consulate at the U.S Embassy in London, who would read over my documents, asses my personality and hopefully give me the green light. The building itself was incredibly overwhelming, a huge gold eagle perches on it's roof looking down judgmentally on anyone who wishes to immigrate to the United States - it just added to the nervousness. The process was smooth, though, and a few weeks later I received the acceptance I had been longing, and working hard for.

Summer 2011: here I am in California, writing this blog post and thinking about what a fantastic year it has been. My relationship with the USA started in 2006, and now it's stronger than ever. I said five years ago that I would return to this country, and I'll say it again...
in the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger... I'll be back.

Migration Crisis in Libya

Here in the United States, border instability and immigration issues have caught world wide attention. However, we as Americans may not be paying enough attention to the rest of the world. Half way around the world a humanitarian crisis is brewing. Thousands and thousands of people are seeking refuge from war torn Libya and conflicts in other North African countries. With no where to go in the south, they’re making their way towards the European Union in the north.

A new development in the crisis has led EU officials to believe that “there are hundreds of thousands on the shores of North Africa”(1) waiting to set sail for the shores of Mediterranean countries. Also, Libyan leader Gaddafi may be using migrants as a ‘weapon’ against Europe, causing economic and political problems. What’s happening, amongst the other conflicts in Libya, is that the borders in Libya are open to all Africans and the government is doing nothing to stop them from leaving the country. Laura Boldrini, spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said: “Whoever is organizing these crossings has no interest in the fate of these people. They don’t care if the boats arrive or not.”(2) Proof of this came as a result of a sinking refugee boat, carrying 300 people; 56 are still unaccounted for.

 Its certainly devastating to hear about such tragedies and the thought of using refugees as ‘weapons’ is even more shocking. Its even tougher for Europe to respond because the Union has an open border policy and to act requires cooperation from all 22 countries. So what kinds of actions and solutions can the European Union pursue? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain, they will have to decide as one and hope to not end the open border policy.

Sources:

1. http://www.presstv.ir/detail/179630.html

2. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f9bc6cca-7beb-11e0-9b16-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1MC1ahNVs

Technology Aiding Illegal Immigrants

Innovations in technology have helped illegal immigrants get an upper hand in the back and forth cat and mouse game of crossing the border into the United States. Technology has enabled "cybercoyotes" as they call them, to guide hopeful illegal immigrants across the border into the United States of America in hopes of finding a better life. Some immigrants pay thousands of dollars to these "cybercoyotes" whom stand on mountains and guide the illegal immigrants by text messages across the border. "Aiding the process are numerous spotters, who monitor the southern Arizona desert from lookout points and help steer the migrants, as well as drug shipments, away from the authorities."   

These "cybercoyotes" have resorted to this tactic because it has become extremely dangerous to be caught smuggling people into the states, with increasing sentences. Scared of being put into jail or facing steep fines, they have turned to technology to help them evade the border patrol and bring their customers safely into the United States of America. "Mobile phones are ubiquitous in Mexico; many migrants consider them essential when crossing, right up there with sturdy shoes and jugs of water."

Using technology to help save illegal immigrants cross the border is also being considered. A cellphone GPS app that tells illegal immigrants where the closest water station is, could save many lives of people that have become lost during their crossing. "The ACLU and Mexico's National Commission on Human rights estimate as many as 5,600 people have died trying to cross the border in the last 15 years." When smugglers abandon the immigrants that pay them to guide them through the desert, or cellphone batteries die, many illegal immigrants die from dehydration when they cannot find any water. This cellphone app seeks to reduce the number of deaths when crossing the border. 

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/09/us/09coyotes.html?_r=1&ref=us

Source: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2009/12/cellphone-gps-app-could-help-undocumented-workers-cross-border/1

U.S. Pattern of Immigrant Labor Exploitation and Anti-Immigrant Sentiment

Historian Susan F. Martin and author of “A Nation of Immigrants” chronicled US migrant labor models revealing America’s record of immigration-dependency labor favoring the work while mistreating the workers. 

According to a book review published in the New York Times, Martin argues the presence of three colonial patterns with persevering application in modern views on immigration.  She argues that each model was “pro-immigration but not necessarily pro-immigrant”.  This view of protecting the labor over the individual is one of preserving effects over means. 

Each model is named for after an original colony: Virginia, Massachussetts, and Pennsylvainia and is an illustration of the type of product our fore fathers sought to reap.  Seeking workers, believers and citizens, each colonial period of immigration depicts a process where we sought to mold newcomers into the prototype immigrant.

Like our nation, Martin’s lineage finds foundation in immigration.  Fearing persecution, her father arrived in the US in 1906.  However, she is aware of her roots.

Nationally, there is a tendency to overlook our cultural heritage, taking exception to the rule that America was founded by immigrants. 

Martin explained in the Times interview, “There’s a tendency to say that our ancestors were the good immigrants, but there are problems with the contemporary ones.”

The labor force is where this delineation becomes muddled.  Favoring the work performed by those who migrate while simultaneously denying privilege is a systematic exploitation of labor.  As an explanation, Martin refers to an archaic pattern.

“The high levels of tolerance for unauthorized migration represents a return to the Virginia model of disposable workers with few rights,” she contested.

These traditions seem to legitimize present day occurrences by providing a disconnect between the labor of migrant workers and the people themselves.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/09/books/a-nation-of-immigrants-susan-f-martins-book.html

Arizona S.B. 1070

 

Arizona S.B. 1070

                The Arizona Senate Bill 1070 seeks to capture and deport illegal immigrants from the United States granting police agents the ability to check the immigration status of any individual if there is reasonable suspicion to believe that the person is living illegally in the country. 

Supporters of this law say that one should not be suspected simply because of race or nationality, but according to Chris Stanislowski in his article “Arizona’s New Law: A Call for Reform,” this law simply institutionalizes discrimination and condones racial profiling since “reasonable suspicion” is not clearly defined.  The author continues explaining that many U.S. citizens that are Latino or may look as such could be discriminated against under the bill and may be in risk of being treated as citizens of second class in their own country; likewise, legal residents and foreign nationals who are visiting the United States legally may also face unnecessary and unfair harassment.

                The Mexican government has suggested not to visit Arizona; people from other states have felt the discrimination and have opted not to visit or move to Arizona.  In fact, University of Arizona has reported that some students have decided to leave the institution in protest for the new law.  In a similar attempt, many civil rights groups have boycotted the state, the author reports. 

                Stanislowski’s article states that those who support the law argue that criminal cases are linked to the number of illegal immigrants in the state providing the example of the murder of an Arizona rancher, supposedly by an illegal immigrant.  To this respect, the author argues that even though the violence committed by drug traffickers and smugglers is a serious problem, this does not mean that all undocumented people are responsible for these offenses; however, those in favor of the bill blame illegal immigrants for these acts.

                President Obama’s administration argues that the law interferes with long established federal authority regarding immigration and could result in unfair harassment of citizens and legal immigrants.    

Immigrants Increasing Jobs in the U.S.

Immigrants may be spiking an increase in jobs in the United States with cheap labor. While the number of immigrants into the U.S. continues to rise, they could be actually having a positive impact in the overall job market. A new study shows that with cheap labor available, jobs are more likely to stay within the U.S. and not be outsourced elsewhere. This is welcoming news as the economy slumps and people look around for answers.
 

The new study called, "Immigration, Offshoring and American Jobs", shows that immigrants are most likely competing with outsourced laborers and not taking local jobs away from Americans. These cheap workers supposedly fill in the gaps that other workers do not want to do in our job market. This provides evidence that globalization and immigration should not always be looked upon negatively.

Economic growth within areas of high immigration has shown signs that it is growing faster. These laborers can fill jobs that provide other jobs for Americans. Supervisor and manager roles will be available if there are people to be managed and supervised. One example from the study is how an immigrant will take a construction worker role, while a local might be promoted to manager of the construction site. Immigrants can help keep American businesses operating with their workforce. This factor needs to be looked at when discussing immigration policy reform.

Americans, historically have been scared about foreigners. Thinking foreigners will come in and take all of our jobs without providing a benefit has been a scare tactic used for stalling realistic immigration reform. Americans complement immigrants, and immigrants complement Americans. Even if it's not a perfect fifty-fifty split, there are still benefits for both sides in the job market.

Now is the time to look for realistic and reasonable solutions for growing the world economy. Turning down workers that want to put in a good hard day's work when it benefits both sides is foolish.

Source: COWEN, TYLER. "How Immigrants Create More Jobs." New York Times 31 Oct. 2010: 6. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus

In an appeal to the executive branch, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus asked for a stay of enforcement of the Secure Communities Program on Thursday backing several state and local governmental attempts of rejection.

Previously voluntary, the Department of Homeland Security now mandates state and local government obedience in upholding the policy.  Although the program was enacted in 2008 attempting to deport “convicted serious criminals”, Secure Communities has consequently imprisoned many undocumented immigrants without a criminal charge. 

The FBI screens fingerprint data for criminal background information that is then forwarded to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE.  Under Secure Communities, detainees are printed at local jails for immigration checking. 

On Wednesday, the Illinois state government addressed its participation in the program, pushing for cessation of its contract.  Similarly, California is proposing legislature for modification on its agreement concerning Secure Communities under the threat of permanent withdrawal.  It is unclear whether the federal government will secede to the demands of both states. However, the state’s objection to the program will not cease scans of Illinois data, according to federal officials.

According to The Los Angeles Times, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn demanded that ICE officials recognize the limits of the state’s withdrawal.  He said, “No new counties in Illinois can be activated, and those counties that were previously activated for their information to pass through ISP to ICE, must be deactivated and removed from the Secure Communities program."

Meanwhile, Congressional pressure for analysis into the programs constituents continues to rise.  Last week, U.S. Rep Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) called the ICE and Homeland Security’s efforts purposefully beguiling to local and state governments and Congress petitioning for investigation.

Regardless, the Department of Homeland Security declared nationwide implementation of Secure Communities by 2013 despite the attempts of opposition.  They claim the program is “information sharing between two federal agencies” and does not require local or state approval.

Previously, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties have been unsuccessful in their efforts to back out of the program.  

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/05/hispanic-caucus-calls-on-obama-to-freeze-controversial-immigration-enforcement-program-.html

Trial Run of Iris Scanner Identification System at U.S.-Mexico Border

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security implemented a preliminary two-week test of iris-scanning electronics at the U.S.-Mexico border patrol station in McAllen, Texas last winter.

Prior to administering the test, DHS clientele had not appealed for utilization of the identification technical alloy as an increased security development.

The dry run was simply a procedure of “operational feasibility” according to DHS spokeswoman Amy Kudwa.  Stationing the scanners would require advances in database software that have yet to be discovered.

The privacy impact assessment for the Iris and Face Technology Demonstration and Evaluation, claims the DHS Science and Technology committee supported the trial run with financial backing from the US-VISIT program and the national programs and protection board.  The names of the three corporations supplying the DHS with the equipment were withheld.

Immigration was the subject of the exhibition; the scanners assisted in classifying and handling illegal aliens.

High-resolution images of the irises are the foundation for identity recognition used in the technology.  The picture of the individual’s eye is then processed and documented.  However, the DHS claims all information obtained during the McAllen study was in disconnect of any federal storage system and was stored in a separate and secure database.

The risk of civil liberties violations is heightened as the Federal government continues to prospect new technologies in enhancing border surveillance at the Mexico perimeter.  The McAllen study and other surveillance projects have come under fire from the American Civil Liberties Union and other committees concerned with privacy.

California’s neighboring margin and it’s proximity to Mexico continues to motivate the DHS to push the limit line in an effort to tighten it’s hold on the number of crossers.

This border defense operative follows the recent collapse of the SBInet program.  The “virtual fence” outlining the southern tip of the nation pulled on Congress’ purse strings and utilized machinery ill-suited for the terrain and environmental landscape. 

California’s neighboring margin and it’s proximity to Mexico continues to motivate the DHS to push the limit line in an effort to tighten it’s hold on the number of crossers.

Source: DHS Testing Iris Scanners At U.S. Border TECHWEB September 13, 2010 Monday 1:30 PM GMT

S.B. 1070

ARIZONA-- April 23, 2010 Senate Bill 1070 was signed by Governor Jan Brewer. It’s been a little over a year, and it seems the controversy surrounding the bill is slowly deteriorating. It seems, however, the action preceding the passing is still highly active. Has it helped immigration laws or is it causing racial profiling and stereotyping? The answers are still mixed throughout all levels of society.

Obviously Governor Brewer’s stance is highly defended. It’s reported that “over 3.7 million dollars in donations have been collected”[1] by her office. There are, however, citizens and organizations trying to counter her actions, including the U.S. Department of Justice. The U.S. government sued Arizona’s law, resulting in a countersuit by Arizona in February 2011. In the countersuit, “Arizona claims that the federal government has violated the U.S. Constitution by failing to enforce immigration laws”[2]. Naturally, it would seem Arizona may have used extreme measures to get some type of response from the government. Well, Arizona received the attention they sought, but it may not be the attention they needed.

The aftermath of the bill has been well documented on the federal and state level but what about the citizens effected? Jorge-Mario Cabrera, a communications and public relations Director remembers the day the bill was passed: “By mid-day, thousands of young people had walked out of their school sanctums towards Arizona's State Capitol Building”[3].  He fears citizens of Arizona will be in a “battlefield where loved ones, their parents in particular, could be criminalized, displaced, uprooted with the stroke of a demagogue's pen”. The effects of S.B. 1070 have been showcased throughout national and local news and is effectively sending a ripple effect throughout the country. Other states are using it as a model to follow; “copycat laws” are in production in states like Utah, Georgia and Florida. It seems states may be acting without hesitation because of the lack of federal aid for immigration issues. Can the government solve the problems or will states attempt to come up with more short term solutions? 

S.B. 1070: http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/sb1070s.pdf

 

---

[1] http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/1158b7a51ef74cf4afdf4aef0b1f79d7/AZ--Defending-SB1070/

[2] http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/04/13/35764.htm

[3] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jorgemario-cabrera/arizon-sb1070-immigration-reform_b_850309.html

Some History of Mexican Immigration by Raquel Hernandez

Some History of Mexican Immigration

One of the most prominent immigrant groups in the United States are Mexicans.  When you think of an immigrant, you immediately think of a person with dark skin, dark hair, and a short in stature…Oh come on, let’s say it, you think of a Mexican.  No, you are not being biased; you are only being influenced by what you see.  Mexicans are present everywhere, whether they have legal documents or not.  In fact, Mexicans constitute the majority of Latinos living in the United States and they continue to be one of the largest groups moving to the United States nowadays.  According to Evelyn H. Cruz and Sean Carpenter in their essay “We Want You When We Need You, Otherwise Get Out: The Historical Struggle of Mexican Immigrants to Obtain Lawful Permanent Residency in The United States,” Mexicans have a very unique immigration history given that Mexico borders the United States and given that several states that now belong to the United States used to be Mexican territory.  

                In the same essay, Cruz and Carpenter explain that after the Mexican-American war, the United States and Mexico signed the Treaty of Hidalgo in 1848, and under this treaty, Mexicans residing in the Mexican lands surrendered to the United States were given the option to remain and become United States citizens, remain in the United States but continue to carry the Mexican citizenship, or to go down to Mexico. When these people didn’t choose either option within a year of the treaty, they were automatically given the status of U.S. Citizens.  Then in 1853 during the Gadsden Purchase, where additional land in the Southwest was negotiated, a similar provision was included.  For many years, the doors between the two countries were open allowing migration to the United States side of the border.  Some Mexicans established themselves in this side of the border without having to think about their immigration status.  Others used to come temporarily to work in the agricultural and mining industries, and then returned to the Mexican side. 

                During many years there were no means to establish lawful admission to the United States; therefore, Mexicans kept coming and going as they had families on both sides of the border making the southern part of the United States and the northern part of Mexico a union.  Since there were no signs that indicated where each country started or any border enforcements that prevented them from going from one country to the other, Mexicans felt free to cross whenever they wanted.  The authors state:  “[T]he U.S. - Mexico treaties not only created lawful Mexican immigrants, they created a large newly minted American citizenry of Mexican descent.”  

It wasn’t until 1910 that the first fence between Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Mexico was erected, and that was the point where illegal immigration from Mexico started to become a concern to the United States.

Reference: Evelyn Haydee Cruz. SSRN Working Paper Series. Rochester: Mar 2011.

Feature Story on Immigration by Raquel Hernandez

               
My name is Raquel Hernandez, and I am an immigrant.
                Many people come from around the world to the United States looking for a better life, but many times what they find is not even near what they had expected. In my small town in Mexico, people who plan to come to this country, either legally or illegally, plan to stay for only two years, find a job, send money to their families to build a house, and save money to return home with a truck and with enough money to start up a small business.  HOWEVER, this is only “The Mexican Dream” that very few manage to accomplish.  From the people I know, I can say that the majority of them who have migrated to the United States start by baby sitting or cleaning houses.  If they are lucky to migrate with legal papers, they end up in a factory, in a restaurant, in the fields, or in construction.  Most of them don’t take the time to go to school and learn English. 
                My parents were living in this country when I was born.  When I was only eight months old, they moved back to Mexico and that’s where I grew up until the age of 19. Upon being unable to continue my education in Mexico due to a financial crisis that my father was having, my parents and I decided that it would be best that I returned to the United States to study English for two straight years, go back to Mexico to find a job in a touristic place and hopefully catch up with my education.  However, it has been 11 years since I came here, and I am barely finishing my B.A. degree.

Even though I didn’t have to swim to cross the river or walk for days through the dessert, I have gone through many sacrifices. I arrived at my godparents’ home, whom I only knew from their sporadic visits to Mexico. Relatives took me to Palomar College to register for ESL classes (English as a Second Language), but in order to contribute to the expenses of the home where I was graciously being hosted and to provide for my parents, I had to look for a job.  After 15 days of my arrival, I had a full-time job in a factory in the second shift and a few days later I was attending school in the morning. 

It took me a year and a half of saving money to buy an old car, but in the mean time since I didn’t have my own transportation or a parent to take me to school, I had to buy a used bike and a used helmet with my first earnings; on rainy days, I used to get home completely wet.  For work, I had to walk all the way to my cousin’s house to ride with her since we both worked in the same factory.  The shift ended at 1:30 in the morning, so I used to get home around 2 AM.  My bed was a sofa in the living room.  My godparents had to get up at 4:20 AM to go to work, and on weekends, they let me borrow their son’s bedroom; so they would wake me up from the sofa to send me to the bedroom after their son had left for work. This was my routine until I had to leave the house.

The house where I was staying belonged to my godfather’s mother-in-law, and when they got in a fight, he decided to leave the house, and because I am his relative, I had to leave the house as well.  Having nowhere to go other than my car, my boyfriend proposed to me getting married before we had planned.  I called my father to ask for his permission (my mother at that time had passed away already), he approved my decision and the next day after work, I got married wearing a stained shirt and stainless steel-toe boots that I used for work. Thank God, my husband has been a great support for me and I have been able to continue to attend school, work, and lately my internship.   

My story proves that even when an immigrant person has legal documents, the change is never easy. One of the things I regret the most about migrating to another country is that I left my parents behind and I couldn’t spend more time with my mother during her illness.  People who don’t have legal papers cannot even be with their family members in their deathbed because if they leave the country, they are afraid that they may not be able to make it alive in their next attempt to cross to the country that has offered them a better way of living.