Immigration hike...Do you care?

The Bush government wants the immigration fees to be increased almost by 86 percent and has not considered the low-income groups especially refugees how they will be hit by such a measure. As an immigrant writing on refugees, I wrote the story and numerous story chats and you view those here http://www.uticaod.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070326/NEWS/703260338/1001
have highlighted why America is the way it is. People just don't get it or are too disconnected to get it. They live in their cocoons and feel America is the land of milk and honey and all immigrants and refugees come here because they become free here and "melt in the pot".
If you just point out it is unjust system, they will quickly brand you as a communist, which I don't mind in the least. So ill-informed are these people that it actually makes me sad.
The article was published in Utica Observer-Dispatch March 26, 2007. I am copying the text for your perusal.

Region's new citizens face hike in fees

Refugee center protests increase

March 26, 2007
By CHINKI SINHA

UTICA — Refugees and immigrants in the region are rushing to apply for citizenship and green cards in advance of a planned 70 percent increase in immigration fees.
Many refugees will need to save a full month's pay to afford the proposed fee that would approach $1,000 in many cases, according to the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees, which is protesting the increase.
The cash-strapped U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency says it has no choice but to raise the fees because the agency is spending far more than it takes in.
Zawning Win, a refugee from Myanmar (formerly Burma), who applied two weeks ago for his green card, said the increase is inconsiderate.
"It is so expensive. I don't know why they increase the fees," he said. "It is difficult for us to survive already."
Win has no medical insurance. With his income, it is often difficult to pay for rent, car insurance, telephone bills, water and food, he said.
Refugee center Executive Director Peter Vogelaar has sent letters to New York Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles Schumer, as well as to U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica.
These letters convey the impact of the increase on refugees, many of whom work low-wage jobs.

'An economic necessity'

The federal government says the higher fees are needed because Citizenship and Immigration Services relies on fees for its budget.
"It is an economic necessity," agency spokesperson Shawn Saucier said. "We understand the hardships."
In 1988, Congress created a user fee account for the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, making it a fee-based agency. Since then, the immigration benefit operation has no access to appropriated funds for its daily operations.
There was an increase of around 76 percent in immigration fees in 1998, Saucier said.
Those applying for citizenship can ask for a fee waiver, which depends on a number of factors including household income, number of dependents and the discretion of the officer, Saucier said.

Limited options

Vogelaar said the 70 percent increase will make it difficult for many refugees in the region to maintain a legal immigrant status.
A person working 40 hours a week and 20 days a month at the minimum wage makes barely more than $1,000. Because many refugees are not conversant in English, it is difficult for them to get other well-paying jobs.
Professor Nestor Rodriguez of the University of Houston said the proposed increase will more likely hit refugees and low-income immigrant groups who will have to resort to loan sharks to pay the fees.
"It may not be bad for people who have good jobs," said Rodriguez, who is also the director of the university's Center for Immigration Research.
"They may have to give up something like health care or food to pay," he said. "It is like tax — it will burden those who can afford it the least. There is a disconnect between the people who are raising the cost and the people who have to pay."

'Not able to vote'

About 15 percent of Utica's population consists of refugees from all over the world.
Refugees have contributed immensely to Utica's economy, Vogelaar said. But the increase is a detriment to refugees gaining citizenship and reaping benefits as taxpayers and citizens, he said.
"They can legally remain here, but their investment would never be realized," he said. "They are not able to vote."
In the last couple of months, Azira Tabucic, who works in the immigration department at the refugee center, has received an unusually high number of applications for citizenship and green cards.
Around 65 applications were received in January, and even now as many as 40 are waiting to be processed, Tabucic said.
"People are applying ahead of time," Vogelaar said.
Saucier said the revenues from the new fee structure will help improve services and eliminate delays.
But Jorge Osterling, a professor at George Mason University, said the increase is against the philosophy of granting asylum to people fleeing political insurgencies, religious persecution and executions in their countries.
"You can't offer help and protection and then charge them like this," he said.


THE IMPACT

•The Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees helps around 400 people gain citizenship every year.

•Currently, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services fees are $400, including $75 for biometrics or fingerprinting for a citizenship application.

•The charges have increased four-fold in the last nine years from $95 in 1998.

•Now, the federal agency is proposing a further increase of 70 percent, to $675.

However, the fees for filing for adjustment of status, which is the first step toward gaining citizenship for many immigrants, is going to go up even more significantly. The fees are $400 currently, but if the new increase comes about, it would be $985 including the cost for biometrics.

Source: Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees

my dilemmas as a journalist

When I see story chats on my stories on refugees and immigrants, I feel saddened by the intolerance. There is rampant ignorance about issues and many people don't understand basic things like refugee status, immigration and world politics. It gets to me sometimes and I am tempted to defend my case but the objectivity clause in the journalism school that was programed into us, makes me hesitate.
There is no such thing as objectivity. Humans can't be.
I can no longer sit back and view those comments. I was never a taer for the objectvity logic. By the choice of topics or in the process of writing where we sift through a ton of quotes to find one that fits sour view of the story, we are not being objective.
to be continued...

Running to be one with all...pushing for integration at all levels

The Boilermaker Road Race is the biggest annual event in Utica. Until 2005, refugees were not a part of it though the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees has been working in the region since 1979 and has resettled close to 11,000 refugees in the Mohawk Valley.
In 2006, refugees cheered on the runners at Culver Avenue and this year, a handful of them are training to run. For them, it is not just a race but a way to prove to themselves and to the community they are very much part of Utica. The race symbolizes being one with all.
I met Hasan and others during the course of other stories. And I was surprised to see their dedication toward integration at all levels. It was then that I thought of writing this story, which was published in Observer-Dispatch March 17, 2007.

I am copying the text and the link below
http://www.uticaod.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070317/NEWS/703170322/1001

Pride drives refugees to run Boilermaker

Want to make name for community

March 17, 2007
By CHINKI SINHA

UTICA — Last year during the Utica Boilermaker Road Race, Somalian refugee Abdi Talas Hasan stood along the International Mile and cheered on the runners.
This year, he will be joining those runners.
"I saw no Somali Bantus among them," he said.
Participating in the nation's largest 15K road race is yet another sign of refugees' increasing integration into the Mohawk Valley. Peter Vogelaar, executive director of the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees, said their participation acknowledges and showcases the diversity in the community.
The resource center and Boilermaker officials created the International Mile on Culver Avenue in 2006 to acknowledge the region's growing population of refugees. For the refugees, the race is not only about running or winning, but showing the community they're very much part of Utica's life.
From cheering on runners, it was a natural next step for them to hit the road and join the race.
"I want to support Utica, show that we can do something," said Sidi Chivala, a Somali Bantu, who will run the Boilermaker July 8 this year. "Utica is our home."
There are around 350 Somali Bantus in Utica, and at least a handful of them will run the Boilermaker Road Race this year for the first time. The refugee center is offering to help refugees with the logistics of registering for the race.
Murjan Abdulahi, a Somali Bantu, is training hard with four other Somali Bantus.
"I want to win and get the name...for the people to know I am here," he said.
Earle Reed, who is the founder of the race, said it was wonderful that refugees will run this year.
"This is the race that has diversity," he said. "Refugees running are a great facet to our 30th anniversary."
Hasan, Abdulahi's cousin, who interpreted for him, said the race was important to them because it was a way to make their presence felt in the community.
"We want the people to know Somali Bantus are a large group here," he said.
Their excitement is evident. Hasan's voice trembles with the enthusiasm that pushes him in the harsh winter to go practice at Mohawk Valley Community College on weekends.
They run for an hour, stretch and support each other with hopes of winning the race. Last year when Kenyans won the race, Hasan felt proud. He spent many years in Kenyan refugee camps and said it felt like his own victory.
"I was watching them run...I was happy when they won," he said.
In October 2006, Hasan was sure he was running and he asked others from his community if they wanted to join him. He got together a group of five men, who now practice over the weekends at MVCC.
There are no trainers and no dieticians for these men. They have turned to a traditional diet to build stamina for the race, Hasan said.
"We call it seema," he said. "It is ground maize cooked in water with meat and vegetables."
They eat it twice a week to build muscle and drink lots of water.
Hasan knows the race is going to be tough. There have been moments during practice that he has felt exhausted and felt he could no longer run, but the desire to earn recognition for his community has kept him going, he said.
"I know I will be hot, but I will keep running," he said, the resolve showing in his clutched fists and his determined eyes.
Reed said Boilermaker officials will do their best to include more refugees in the race.
"It is a win-win deal for us," he said. "They are a part of us."

Tips for first-time runners


•Run with a friend. It will will motivate you more.


•Never go for a run after eating solid food.


•Drink lots of fluids.


•Start slow. Don't run too fast too soon. A one-mile run is a good starting point.


Source: Earle Reed, founder of the Boilermaker Road Race


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