Articles on Immigration - International Child Advocacy - Human Rights

California DREAM Act

2011-10-09T10:39:00.000-04:00

California has passed a second part of a DREAM Act which will allow undocumented students on a path to citizenship to receive state-funded financial aid in 2013. The law goes into effect January 1, 2013. The first part of the Act was passed in July and allows undocumented students to receive private scholarships for colleges. Read the complete article by Michael Martinez, CNN : http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/08/us/california-dream-act/

"Women, War & Peace"

2011-10-07T11:13:00.001-04:00

A five-episode series entitled, "Women, War & Peace," will begin showing on PBS on Tuesdays, October 11, 2011 to November 8, 2011. The series depicts the roles of women in the war zones of Afghanistan, Bosnia, Colombia and Liberia. Narrators include: Matt Damon, Tilda Swinton, Geena Davis and Alfre Woodard. Check your local listings for air times. To read more about each episode of the series, follow the link: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/women-war-and-peace/about/

"Tough on Immigration" Means Boon To Private Detention Industry, But Not Without Controversy

2011-09-29T18:10:00.000-04:00

This article from The New York Times sheds light on how some international security companies have been capitalizing on the more aggressive approach to immigration by countries. The article addresses how the increased crackdowns by countries such as the U.S., Britain, and Australia, have led to a lucrative private detention industry, which sometimes leads to drastic consequences on detainees. Read the complete article by Nina Bernstein: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/29/world/asia/getting-tough-on-immigrants-to-turn-a-profit.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1&hp

Women Can Now Vote in Saudi Arabia ... in 2015.

2011-09-26T11:33:00.000-04:00

According to a story on Huffington Post, by Abdullah Al-Shihri and Hamza Hendawi, published on September 25, 2011, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has issued a decree allowing, for the first time, that women be allowed to vote and run in local elections. This is somewhat of a muted victory for women, however, considering that women will not be allowed to vote until the 2015 elections, and there will be elections before then in which women will not be allowed to be participants.

Read to complete story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/25/saudi-women-can-vote-in-national-election_n_979829.html?ir=Women

Guest Articles for Blogs

2011-09-13T10:27:00.000-04:00

I recently received an inquiry as to whether I would accept guest articles for publication on this site. The answer is absolutely!! Please feel free to submit articles to: aappiah.1@netzero.com. All submissions must be your original content. The articles must be related to the topics of this blog. I will make the final determination as to what articles will be published on this site. Please include your name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, and a small bio about yourself and your interests in the subjects of this blog. A current picture would also be appreciated for publication with the article, but is not required.

Cutting SSI Assistance to Children

2011-08-22T09:52:00.000-04:00

An article on Huffington Post puts the spotlight on the effects of the recent U.S. budget deal on children with severe disabilities who rely on the Supplemental Security Income program. The article includes a sound bite from a report from National Public Radio.

Read the article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/21/adhd-bipolar-children-at-_n_930925.html

Attorney Accused of Helping to Smuggling Aliens into U.S.

2011-08-17T16:58:00.000-04:00

Here's an interesting story about an attorney in New York that has been charged with aiding an international immigration smuggling ring by advising the smugglers on how to avoid detection, recommending ports of entry, filing false immigration documents, and obtaining the release of detained aliens through fraud. Allegedly 468 Chinese citizens were smuggled into the U.S.

Read the complete story: http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/08/17/39042.htm

Read the Complaint: http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/08/17/ImmigLwyr.pdf

Families Separated by Deportation

2011-08-15T19:29:00.000-04:00

A very interesting and well-written article by Elise Foley is featured on Huffington Post discussing the stresses families undergo when one parent is separated from the family because of deportation. "Children Of Immigrants Face Hardship To Keep Families Together," discusses an issue that comes up time and time again when people inquire about having their minor children be a basis for their immigration to the U.S. As the article makes note, based on a "1996 law, children who are U.S. citizens cannot petition for their parents to stay in the United States based on the extreme hardship they would endure by being apart from their parents or native country."

Read the complete article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/10/few-options-for-children-_n_923909.html

China Says Tibet Temporarily Off Limits to Foreigners

2011-06-16T12:26:00.000-04:00

China has apparently closed Tibet to foreigners until July 26 to avoid any trouble from upcoming political anniversaries, such as the anniversary of the Communist Party in Tibet. This does not affect Chinese tourists however.

Read the complete article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/16/china-tibet-closed-to-for_n_878035.html

Travel Alert for Philippines

2011-06-16T11:20:00.000-04:00

The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel warning to U.S. citizens traveling to, or within, the Philippines.

Read the complete Warning: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5490.html

Illinois Catholic Charities Seeks Right to Refer Gay Couples to Other Adoption Agencies

2011-05-06T13:25:00.000-04:00

The state of Illinois has passed legislation permitting civil unions of gay couples. This law prohibits any organization receiving state funds from discriminating against gays. Despite the state law, Catholic Cahrities has sought permission to refer gay couples to "gay-friendly" agencies for adoption services. This excerpt from an article featured on the Huffington Post describes the conflict:

"Gay Adoption In Illinois: Catholic Charities Threatens To Turn Away Gay Couples"
05/ 5/11

"One of the largest adoption agencies in Illinois is threatening to turn away couples with civil unions, despite state law demanding they do otherwise.

Catholic Charities has more than 3,000 children in its foster care and adoption agencies, representing around 20 percent of all such services in the state, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. In recompense, the state pays the organization around $30 million a year...

"The Catholic Church is not going to be OK with Catholic Charities processing applications from anyone in a civil union," Trish Fox, the head of the Catholic Charities of Peoria, told Chicago Public Radio. "And all we're asking is that we can continue what we've always done, which is refer cohabitating couples, heterosexual or homosexual, to another agency."

The language of the civil unions law, though, is clear on the subject: if an agency receives state dollars, it cannot discriminate against same-sex couples -- that is, it must treat people in civil unions as it would treat married couples."

Read the complete article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/05/catholic-charities-gay-adoption_n_858133.html

U.S. Worldwide Travel Alert

2011-05-03T11:28:00.000-04:00

The U.S. Department of State has issued a Worldwide Travel Alert for its citizens in light of the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan on May 1, 2011.

"Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, U.S. citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations. U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. This Travel Alert expires August 1, 2011."

Read the complete Alert: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5447.html

Students who Entered U.S. as Undocumented Children at Risk for Deportation

2011-05-03T11:06:00.001-04:00

Children brought to the U.S. as toddlers, by parents who were undocumented, are now facing deportation as adults because of their undocumented status. The DREAM Act, which has not been passed by Congress, would have allowed many of these students to acquire legal status, and avoid deportation. This predicament is described in the case of this 23 year-old college student in an article by Michael Melia.

"Senator Richard Blumenthal Helped Student Mariano Cardoso Stay In US"

By MICHAEL MELIA

05/ 3/11

"Two years into a fight to stay in the U.S., Mexican college student Mariano Cardoso learned of a victory last week – not from immigration authorities, but from a U.S. senator who had taken up his cause...

It was a culmination of the Democratic senator's deep personal involvement in the case. Advocates say the supporting role he played, along with that of Connecticut's Democratic governor, proved critical to winning a reprieve, but also highlights a fractured immigration policy in which decisions can turn on the influence of one's supporters."

Read the complete article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/03/senator-richard-blumentha_n_856770.html

4 Year-Old U.S. Citizen Deported to Guatemala

2011-03-23T21:35:00.001-04:00

"Federal Officials Send 4-Year-Old U.S. Citizen Back To Guatemala"
Elise Foley
03/23/11

"A 4-year-old girl born in New York was detained by immigration officials and then sent back to Guatemala, separating her from her parents, after she and her grandfather were stopped by customs officials earlier this month...

[S]he, like many other children of undocumented immigrants, became caught in a web of complications for families with mixed legal statuses. On her way home from a trip to Guatemala with her grandfather on March 11, Emily was detained in Dulles International Airport when authorities stopped her grandfather on an illegal entry charge from more than a decade ago.

Authorities took her grandfather, a non-citizen on a valid work visa that allowed him to travel, into custody. But the young girl was detained in the airport, then sent back to Guatemala with her grandfather, citizenship notwithstanding."

Read the complete article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/23/federal-officials-4-year-old-us-citizen_n_839700.html

Available Relief Measures for Qualified Japanese Nationals in the U.S.

2011-03-22T13:01:00.001-04:00

"USCIS Reminds Japanese Nationals Impacted by Recent Disaster of Available Immigration Benefits"
March 17, 2011

"In light of the recent earthquakes and tsunami in Japan, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds Japanese nationals of certain U.S. immigration benefits available upon request.

USCIS understands that a natural disaster can affect an individual’s ability to establish or maintain lawful immigration status." The news release provides a list of temporary relief measures available to qualified Japanese nationals. Read the complete news release: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d219c337ab5ce210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Fighting Child Hunger in the U.S.

2011-03-22T12:46:00.002-04:00

"ConAgra And Feeding America Team Up To Combat U.S. Child Hunger"
03/21/11

"Up to one in four children in the U.S. go to bed hungry every night...

According to 2008 and 2009 U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics, 17.2 million children in the U.S. live in food insecure households -- households that are "uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they had insufficient money or other resources for food."

ConAgra is working to change that. A food giant that began its crusade to end child hunger over two decades ago, ConAgra fights child hunger and malnutrition through its Nourish Today, Flourish Tomorrow platform. In its largest campaign to date, ConAgra has partnered with Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief charity.

In a 30-minute television special titled "Child Hunger Ends Here," that aired on March 19, The Today Show's Al Roker took a look at the growing problem...

ConAgra has pledged to donate one meal for each code from specially marked ConAgra brands that is entered on the campaign website through August (up to 2.5 million meals)...

The New York Times reports that ConAgra is also incorporating social media, bloggers, paid advertising and a mobile campaign to advance their mission and provide consumers with suggestions on how to help. It has also added a service component -- 25,000 ConAgra employees can select a day in April to volunteer to work against child hunger.

Contributions to Feeding America can be made by texting "FEEDKIDS" to 50555 -- that sends a $10 donation directly to the organization. Each $10 donation helps provide 70 meals to children."

Read the complete article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/21/conagra-feeding-america-hunger_n_838627.html

Afghan Activist and Author Denied Visa to U.S. for Her Own Book Tour

2011-03-22T11:36:00.001-04:00

"Afghan Women's Rights Activist Malalai Joya Denied Visa For US Book Tour"

03/18/11

"US Government denied entry visa to Afghan women's rights activist and author Malalai Joya for her book tour for "Women Among Warlords."
Joya was named one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2010. She has been called Afghanistan's Aung San Suu Kyi and was elected to Afghanistan's parliament at 27 in 2005."

Read the complete article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/18/afghan-woman-malalai-joya_n_837470.html

Ethiopia to Reduce Number of Adoptions it Processes

2011-03-16T10:20:00.001-04:00

As of March 10, 2011, the government of Ethiopia has decreased the number of adoption cases it will process in a day to a maximum of 5 cases. The U.S. Embassy anticipates significant delays. Read the adoption alert: http://adoption.state.gov/news/ethiopia_alert.html

Parents Sue on Behalf of Child for Service Dog in School

2011-03-16T09:24:00.002-04:00

"School Bars Disabled Boy's Service Dog"

By RYAN ABBOTT

"Parents of a developmentally disabled 4-year-old sued the school board for prohibiting their son from taking his service dog to school with him. Chatham, a retriever-poodle mix, helps the boy deal with self-injuring behavior and hyperactivity.

On behalf of their son, A.S., Parents Leonel and Jennifer S sued the Catawba County Board of Education for violating the Rehabilitation Act section of the Americans with Disabilities Act...

The parents seek an injunction, costs and damages "for service animal training costs incurred to restore and maintain the service animal's training during the period of separation, including the cost to retrain and prepare the service animal to work in the classroom."

The family is represented by John Rittelmeyer with Disability Rights North Carolina, of Raleigh."

Read the complete article: http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/03/16/34955.htm

Read the Pleading: http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/03/16/DognKid.pdf

U.S. Travel Warning for Bahrain

2011-03-15T10:18:00.000-04:00

The U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning for U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Bahrain. There has been ongoing poltical turmoil in the country since the end of February. Read the Travel Warning: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5384.html

U.S. Travel Alert Issued for Japan

2011-03-13T08:55:00.001-04:00

The U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert urging U.S. citizens not to travel to Japan in light of the earthquakes and tsunami that has occured. They are also urging any U.S. citizens in Japan to contact friends and family in the U.S. if possible.

Read the full Alert: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5377.html

"60 Minutes" Episode on Homeless and Needy Children

2011-03-12T20:45:00.001-05:00

Last week the CBS program, "60 Minutes," ran a fascinating story on children in Seminole County Schools that are involved with a Seminole County Schools' Families in Transition program. Families in Transition helps children whose families are struggling to make ends meet in this economy, or that are homeless. What made the story so unique was that it provided accounts from the mouths of children on what it was like to go to bed hungry, what it was like to go home but not be able to open the door because the house had been foreclosed, their feelings of guilt for their families' situations, and many other heartbreaking persepectives. As a result of that story, Families in Transition has received support in its efforts to help these families. If you know of a familiy in need in your community, look for ways to help.

Read the article on that episode: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/10/60-minutes-seminole-county_n_834237.html

Advisory for Japanese and Foreign Nationals from the Pacific Affected by the Earthquakes and Tsunami

2011-03-12T20:15:00.002-05:00

"Special Update as of March 11: Relief for Japanese and Other Nationals from the Pacific Stranded due to the Earthquakes and Tsunami"

"This advisory is for Japanese and other foreign nationals from the Pacific stranded in the United States due to the earthquakes and tsunami devastation. If you have exceeded or are about to exceed your authorized stay in the U.S. you may be permitted up to an additional 30 days to depart."

Read the complete announcement: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=89a8ce68596ae210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e7801c2c9be44210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

Passport Day Coming April 9th

2011-03-12T20:03:00.001-05:00

The Passport in America : The History of a DocumentOn Saturday April 9, 2011, passport agencies and other related passport service providers will be open to accomodate those seeking passport-related services. Information about forms, etc. can be viewed on the U.S. Department of State website.

Read the announcement: http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptday/locations/locations_4442.html

Guardian ad Litem Warned Court Prior to Adoption that Led to Child's Death

2011-02-17T07:33:00.001-05:00

Concerns preceded adopted twin's death

Kim Segal and John Zarrella, CNN

"(CNN) -- There were blood relatives in Houston that wanted to adopt. There was a guardian ad litem volunteer who had concerns about the adoptive parents. Child investigators were called on more than one occasion to the home.

Yet early Monday morning along a Florida interstate, a road ranger pulled up behind a parked truck only to find a man and his 10-year-old son unconscious and the boy's twin sister dead.

This story appears to magnify everything that could go wrong with a child protective system.

In 2004, the siblings were placed with a foster family, according to Sonia Ferrer, circuit director of the guardian ad litem program. That family was Jorge and Carmen Barahona, she says.

As often is the case when children are in the Florida foster system, a volunteer from the guardian ad litem program was assigned to look out for their best interests.

"The guardian was with the children for four years," Ferrer said. "He had concerns about the placement."

Those concerns were brought to the court's attention and investigated before the children were officially adopted by the Barahonas in 2009, Ferrer said. "We did everything we could at the time. A full evidentiary hearing."

The judge on the case sided with the experts who found no problem with the children living with the Barahonas."

Read the full article: http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/02/16/florida.body.bag.twins/index.html?hpt=C1