immigrants

TOPEKA: A bill that would repeal in-state tuition for the children of undocumented immigrants cleared a major legislative hurdle Monday. The Kansas House voted 69-49 to approve the bill, which would repeal a law the Legislature passed in 2004.  "We had an election in November, and we have a group of folks who see things differently," said Rep. Lance Kinzer, an Olathe Republican and one of the bill's sponsors. 

Who are the unauthorized immigrants in the United States? Where do they come from and where do they settle in the United States? After entry, what socio-economic roles do they play in the US economy?

As of 2008, the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States is estimated to be approximately 11.6 million. 61% of the unauthorized immigrants in the country are from Mexico, and 25% of all unauthorized immigrant workers reside in California. Unauthorized immigrants, as of 2008, represent 5% of the total civilian labor force in the United States. 51% of these immigrants, compared to 21% of native workers, hold occupations in the service (30%) and construction (21%) industries. The following charts and tables delineate the demographic and socio-economic background of unauthorized immigrants in the United States.

By Richard Marosi and Andrew Becker

February 6, 2011

Reporting from Harlingen, Texas —

 Thousands of immigrants from India have crossed into the United States illegally at the southern tip of Texas in the last year, part of a mysterious and rapidly growing human-smuggling pipeline that is backing up court dockets, filling detention centers and triggering investigations.

The immigrants, mostly young men from poor villages, say they are fleeing religious and political persecution. More than 1,600 Indians have been caught since the influx began here early last year, while an undetermined number, perhaps thousands, are believed to have sneaked through undetected, according to U.S. border authorities.

Hundreds have been released on their own recognizance or after posting bond. They catch buses or go to local Indian-run motels before flying north for the final leg of their months-long journeys.

 

 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc has received Immigration and Customs Enforcement notices of inspection for restaurants in Washington, D.C., and Virginia, co-Chief Executive Monty Moran told Reuters on Friday.

The new notices follow ICE inspections of the restaurant chain's Minnesota employees that resulted in dismissals of workers whose documents to prove eligibility for legal employment in the United States could not be verified.

 

 

The Government Accountability Office's (GAO) report on E-Verify included some happy news (E-Verify is more accurate than ever) and some disappointing news (ICE's misplaced priorities). I was also disappointed in some of the things the report did not include. Below are some highlights from the report and my response. E-Verify Is Accurate The GAO reports that E-Verify has earned some impressive marks in accuracy, and USCIS has proudly displayed the findings in a pie chart. Here are the key statistics:

• 97.4 percent of employees are automatically confirmed as authorized to work ("work authorized") either instantly or within 24 hours, requiring no employee or employer action.
• 2.6 percent of employees receive initial system mismatches ("tentative non-confirmations")
  • 0.3 percent are later confirmed as work authorized after contesting and resolving the mismatch;
  • 2.3 percent are not found work authorized.