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IMMIGRATION PROVISIONS — Democratic senators continue to seek a way to include immigration provisions in the Build Back Better bill, "even as key proposals face enormous obstacles and the overall package teeters on collapse," reports Ellen M. Gilmer of Bloomberg Government. On the table is providing immigrants parole status with temporary work authorization and protection from deportation for some undocumented immigrants, which the House has already passed, Gilmer notes. While the potential steps to move forward aren’t finalized yet, "[w]e’re all committed to fighting to get immigration reform included, and we’re not going to stop pushing for that," said Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico). "The House-passed provisions of immigration reform are still where we are, being thoughtful and moving forward and continuing to show we can work together to get it done." ALTERNATIVES — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is monitoring 150,755 migrant individuals and families under the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program, according to data from TRAC at Syracuse University, reports Sandra Sanchez of Border Report. TRAC researcher Austin Kocher told Border Report the number is the highest since the beginning of the program in 2004. "Alternatives to Detention is often considered preferable for immigrants, because being held in detention creates barriers to procedural justice, such as making it more difficult to obtain legal counsel," Kocher said. "... However, immigration attorneys and advocates have also described negative consequences to clients on ATD, such as leading to frequent and disruptive virtual check-ins and feeling constantly watched by the government."
EDUCATION FIRST — To further support and welcome Afghan refugees, we must build up our education system to help young refugees fully integrate into American society and thrive, writes Marcelo M. Suárez-Orozco, Chancellor at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, in an op-ed for GBH News. He suggests being open-minded about English as a new and second language, providing professional development to school staff serving this population of immigrants and refugees, teaching great migration journeys in the classroom, and more. A full integration "leads to stable, thriving permanent immigrant communities where there is equity, a keen sense of belonging, civility and systemic dignity for all. And it arrives at a place people can once again call home," Suárez-Orozco concludes. ‘MORE THAN A TEAM’ — Some of Afghanistan’s most talented young female soccer players escaped the country over the summer, leaving family members and friends behind, and eventually landed in Portugal. In an NPR piece this week, team members share details of their escape with Joanna Kakissis. "We were together during the hardest moments of our lives," said Fatema Erfani, 16. "We are much more than a team." Afghan Canadian Farkhunda Muhtaj, who formerly served as captain of the Afghan women’s national team, spearheaded the team’s evacuation efforts. "I always looked at any Afghan girl and would think, ‘that could be me,’" she said. "When the Taliban took over, everyone was devastated. But you know what? You can cry all day or you can immediately take action." Says Joaquim Evangelista, president of Portugal’s pro soccer players’ union, "We want refugees to have hope here. We want them to feel like they can start their lives again." Today’s stories of local welcome include:
Thanks for reading, Dan |
