MassBudget: Proposed "public charge" rule may stoke anxiety among current citizens as well as immigrants

Read about the potential effect in Massachusetts

November 14, 2018 Proposed "public charge" rule may stoke anxiety among current citizens as well as immigrants Our country has long welcomed and valued immigrants. But a "public charge" rule proposed by the Trump Administration could fundamentally change the nation's approach to immigration and could cause families to avoid or withdraw from necessary public benefits. In its new brief, A Chilly Reception: Proposed Immigration Rule Creates Chilling Effect for New Immigrants and Current Citizens, the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) examines how Massachusetts might be affected by the proposed public charge rule. This rule would require immigrants applying for legal permanent residence (a "Green Card") to demonstrate that they have not, do not, and will not likely receive any of a list of publicly-funded benefits, including MassHealth (Medicaid) and SNAP ("food stamps"). Potentially 500,000 people in Massachusetts could withdraw from needed benefits out of fear or confusion about this rule that has not yet gone into effect. Of these, 160,000 are children, most of whom are U.S. citizens and not even directly affected by this proposed rule. The proposed rule could directly affect people applying for a Green Card (or permanent residence), but similar standards would also apply to those seeking to extend a non-immigrant visa or change their temporary non-immigrant status in the U.S. (such as from a student visa to an employment visa). Currently, the public charge determination only assesses whether an immigrant will rely primarily on government benefits for financial support. By contrast, the proposed new rule would require applicants to demonstrate that "they have not received, are not currently receiving, nor are likely in the future to receive public benefits," and the proposed rule would also significantly expand the list of public benefits taken into consideration when assessing whether someone might be deemed a "public charge." Reports indicate the "chilling effect" of this proposal has even reached immigrants on programs not on this list of potentially affected benefits. Read the full report http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=A-Chilly-Reception-Proposed-Immigration-Rule.html. Members of the public can weigh in on the proposed rule until December 10, 2018. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/10/10/2018-21106/inadmissibility-on-public-charge-grounds#p-6 The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by mrivera@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

"to apply for citizenship and getting a green card can take years"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"More than 700,000 immigrants are waiting on applications to become U.S. citizens, a process that once typically took about six months but has stretched to more than two years in some places under the administration of President Donald Trump. 

The long wait times have prompted some immigrant advocates to ask whether the delays are aimed at keeping anti-Trump voters from casting ballots in elections. 

“People are motivated to participate, and they’re being frustrated from being able to participate in the elections they’re excited about,” said Manuel Pastor, director of the University of Southern California’s Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration. 

The number of immigrants aspiring to become U.S. citizens surged during 2016, jumping 27 percent from a year earlier as Trump made cracking down on immigration a central theme of his presidential campaign. At first, the federal government kept up with the applications, but then the wait grew."

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20181028/heres-how-long-it-takes-to-become-us-citizen

"to apply for citizenship and getting a green card can take years"

In the News: house fire on Warwick Rd; immigration plays role in economy

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Three people escaped and one dog was rescued from a two-alarm fire that ravaged a home on Warwick Road shortly before midnight Saturday. 

Firefighters found heavy fire coming from the garage of a split-level home at 13 Warwick Road after they were called at 11:52 p.m., according to a press release. 

The occupants — one adult and two children — left on their own. The adult was taken to Milford Regional Medical Center to be evaluated, according to the fire department. No other injuries were reported."

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180204/firefighters-rescue-dog-from-franklin-house-fire

"When he talks about the role immigration plays in the Massachusetts economy, Jeffrey Thielman points to the other side of the world. 

Look at Japan, he says. 

The population of the Pacific island nation is growing old at a tremendous rate - an issue that gave way to an employee shortage in the workforce. In December, the job-to-applicant ratio hit 1:59, essentially indicating there are two jobs available for every person who applies for one, according to a recent Reuters report. 

Thielman, the president and CEO of the International Institute of New England in Boston, said Japan is looking to immigration to solve its workforce woes."

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180204/how-immigrants-shape-local-economy

Franklin Interfaith Council Presents Refugee Immigration Ministry

The Franklin Interfaith Council invites the community to a presentation by staff from Refugee Immigration Ministry (RIM), a nonprofit organization that supports immigrants and asylum seekers in partnership with local faith communities. Speakers from RIM will include Rev. Ruth Bersin, Executive Director and Rev. Isaac Seelan, Coordinator for Congregation Development.


When: October 30, 2017; 7:00 PM
Where: St Mary's Church, Lower Church Hall

Franklin Interfaith Council Presents Refugee Immigration Ministry

For more about the Refugee Immigration Ministry  http://www.r-i-m.net/

"the program cannot run on autopilot"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Fear is growing in the immigrant communities in MetroWest and the Milford area who worry that President Donald Trump may dismantle an Obama-era program that offered protection to children who entered the U.S. illegally with their parents. 

Spearheaded by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, 10 Republican attorneys general have sent Trump an ultimatum: either he begins to dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood program by Sept. 5 or they will challenge the program’s legality in court. 

Alice DeSouza, a Brazilian immigrant who owns a business on Milford’s Main Street, said she knows several people in town who rely on DACA and most of them are young. Without DACA, she wondered what its recipients might do, adding that it’s possible kids, teenagers and young adults, without work or school, could end up in trouble. 

“All these kids are working, they have to pay taxes,” she said. “It’s good for the country, it’s good for the government – then what’s the point (of removing it)?”

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170830/locals-worried-uncertain-awaiting-trumps-plans-for-daca


"Jessica Vaughan of Franklin, director of policy studies for the Center for Immigration Studies, a nonprofit think tank that favors tighter immigration." is quoted in the article

Franklin Republican Town Committee statement on Immigration Event Cancellation

"It is with regret that the Franklin Town Republican Committee announces the cancellation of Thursday night’s talk on immigration by a noted subject matter expert Jessica Vaughan. Due to gross and persistent misrepresentations about Ms. Vaughan and the nature of this event and the implicit threat of disruption by demonstrators and hecklers, our hosts at the Veterans of Foreign Wars who were well aware of the topic and speaker in advance cancelled the event.

Although Jessica has been a respected voice on news media outlets across the country and across the political spectrum -- and has testified before Congress -- she has somehow run afoul of the Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization funded in part by billionaire George Soros -- which has alleged, on what basis we can’t imagine, that Jessica is associated with or sympathetic to a “hate group.” Perhaps those peddling these untruths simply fear accurate information about an important subject in American life today. 

What has happened to the America of Liberty Trees, Patrick Henry’s rousing “give me liberty or give me death,’ and the generations of Americans who risked and sometimes lost their lives fighting to protect our ideals and rights. Freedom of assembly and speech are first and foremost among the rights we all hold dear. So, it is with great sadness that we record the cancellation of this non-partisan event offered as a service to citizens. Intimidation, insinuation, and character assassination through prejudicial, inflammatory, and false language is now the rule rather than the exception. And, so often, particularly on college campuses, this is married to the implicit threat of violence and vandalism. These trends are a true threat to our country and our civil society. Sadly, today they arrived in Franklin with some local Democrats contributing."

“Immigration is a controversial topic in the public discourse today'

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Chanting “Immigrants are welcome here, say it loud and say it clear,” and holding up signs that read “Hate has no home here,” about 20 protesters gathered in front of the Veterans of Foreign Wars building to support immigrant communities. 

The demonstration was initially planned to protest a discussion on immigration hosted by director of policy studies for the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) Jessica Vaughan that would have taken place in the building Thursday night. 

However, the event, sponsored by the Franklin Republican Town Committee, was cancelled during the afternoon after Larry Bederian, commander of the VFW Post 3402, refused to host political events under the VFW’s roof. 

“We will not have a part of it. We are neutral,” said Bederian. “The VFW is not to be used for political harassment.”

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http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170518/franklin-group-hate-has-no-home-here

sign on some Franklin lawns

Thursday's Boston Globe covered a study by MIT on the effects of immigration on Boston's economy.

"At hotels, nursing homes, and restaurants in and around Boston, roughly half the workforce is made up of immigrants. Among doctors, scientists, and software engineers, a third were born in another country. 

Greater Boston’s economy relies on immigrants much more heavily than the country as a whole. And with the city’s unemployment rate at less than 4 percent and foreign-born workers providing nearly all the growth in the labor market in recent years, a continued stream of immigrant workers is essential for the local economy to thrive, according to a report out Thursday by MIT researchers that provides a detailed breakdown of who these local immigrants are and where they work. 

President Trump’s clampdown on immigration could have serious consequences on Boston-area employers, local workforce development and business leaders say, and some are calling for more liberal immigration policies to fuel the region’s economic growth."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/05/17/mit-study-immigrants-vital-boston-economy/l9PszENhVRsffVWvQVa1yO/story.html?event=event12

"Executive Summary

Immigration is a controversial topic in the public discourse today. Are we a stronger nation and economy because of our historic openness to immigration or should we close the borders and restrict access? What would happen to the economy if we took these steps, and what would be the impact on jobs, employers and economic growth?

The goal of this report is to answer these questions for the Boston area. We will see that our
economy and our firms depend heavily on immigrants, and the implications of restricting
immigration are grim indeed.

America is a nation of immigrants, as is Massachusetts and the Boston area even more so. In
2015, immigrants accounted for 13 percent of the United States civilian population, yet they
represented 16 percent of the Massachusetts civilian population and 22 percent of the Boston area civilian population. Even more strikingly, immigrants make up 29 percent of the adult working age civilian population in the Boston area.

If immigrants represent a large fraction of the people in the Boston area, then it makes sense to expect that they are important to the local economy. This report addresses this, but does so by focusing on a narrow version of the question – how do immigrants contribute to the workforce of the employers in the region? The many other contributions of immigrants to our economy—such as their consumption of goods and services and their entrepreneurial energy—will be left to another investigation.

The findings in this report are based on an analysis of large scale surveys conducted in 2014 and 2015 and additionally on interviews with employers that we conducted during the winter of 2017.

Details on the surveys and how we organized the data are provided in the box on methods below.

Some of the highlights of our findings are:
• Boston immigrants are settled members of our community. They are just as likely to be married and have children as are natives, and 68 percent have lived in the United States for 11 years or more.
• Boston’s immigrants come from all parts of the world. For example, 32 percent are from Asia and 25 percent are from the Caribbean and Central America.
• Boston’s immigrants constitute 27 percent of employees aged 25 to 64. Many industries are
heavily dependent on them, and in 18 industries immigrants constitute 20 percent or more of the workforce. For example 22 percent of employees in professional, scientific, and technical industries, 56 percent of employees in hotels and motels, 53 percent of employees in home health, and 29 percent of employees in hospitals are immigrants. The Boston region could not succeed economically nor provide goods and services to its citizens without the contribution of the region’s immigrant employees.
• Employers speak highly of the contributions of immigrants to the success of their firms and express concerns that immigration may be curtailed.
• Immigration is a key source of growth for our workforce. In 2015, a remarkable 54 percent of working age people moving into the Boston area were immigrants, and two-thirds of them came directly from abroad.
• Despite the central role of immigrants in our workforce, significant challenges to fulfill the
true potential of immigrants remain. Too many immigrants have low earnings and low levels of education. Policies to address these challenges are important."


The full MIT Study PDF can be viewed here
https://jvs-boston.org/images/pdf/Osterman%20Report%20-%20Final.pdf

The full MIT Study PDF can be viewed here

CANCELED - Immigration Discussion with Jessica Vaughan - May 18

Jessica M. Vaughan a Franklin resident, is the Director of Policy Studies for the Center for Immigration Studies and is frequently seen on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC and NBC Boston

When: Thursday, May 18 @7:00 PM
Where: Franklin VFW, Pond St

Hosted by Franklin Republican Town Committee


Updated 4:00 PM 5/18/17  The event has been canceled by the hosts (the Franklin Republican Town Committee) with a statement to be available later 

Immigration Discussion with Jessica Vaughan - May 18

Additional info can be found in the flyer embedded below

CANCELED - Immigration Discussion with Jessica Vaughan - May 18

Jessica M. Vaughan a Franklin resident, is the Director of Policy Studies for the Center for Immigration Studies and is frequently seen on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC and NBC Boston

When: Thursday, May 18 @7:00 PM
Where: Franklin VFW, Pond St


Updated 4:00 PM 5/18/17  The event has been canceled by the hosts (the Franklin Republican Town Committee) with a statement to be available later 

Immigration Discussion with Jessica Vaughan - May 18

In the new - Washington St accident, China protest, immigrant legal advice

Man killed in crash

By Joyce Kelley/Daily News staff

A 49-year-old Rhode Island man driving an 18-wheel tractor trailer died in a crash on Washington Street yesterday morning, police said.

Police declined to identify the man or his hometown until his relatives are notified, said Lt. Thomas Lynch. No one else was involved or injured in the accident, he said.

The man was dead when police arrived at the accident near 890 Washington St., in front of Temple Etz Chaim about 11:15 a.m., said Lynch. A driver behind the truck saw the accident and alerted police, he said.

The truck snapped two utility poles in half, said Fire Captain James Klich.

"We don't know exactly what happened, but ... it took out three utility poles," Lynch said.

Read the remainder of the article here

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Human Rights group to use Marathon route to protest

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

Three weeks before the Boston Marathon grabs the world's attention, a group alarmed by China's alleged human rights abuses plans to use the same Hopkinton-to-Boston route to publicize its cause: protesting this summer's Olympic Games.

"We believe the Olympic Games represent something universal and good," said Steve Gigliotti, the Massachusetts spokesman for the Human Rights Torch Relay. "The Olympics and human rights violations cannot coexist within China."

Seeking to expose alleged abuses ahead of the games, protest supporters lit a torch in Athens, Greece, in August and have since carried it to Europe, South America and Australia. The group has chosen Boston and its Marathon route to introduce its initiative to the United States and North America.

"Boston symbolizes the birthplace of freedom and liberty in the U.S.," Gigliotti said. "We decided it was a nice fit."

While he will have help carrying the torch, triathlete and marathoner Paul Guzzi, who lives in Franklin and works in Wellesley, will run the entire 26-mile route for the March 30 event. He volunteered after being told of abuses in China by his mother, who practices Falun Gong's tenets and became involved with the torch effort.

Read the remainder of the article here.

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Rocky road to citizenship

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Immigration lawyer Chris Lavery sees the problem too often: an employer who hasn't paid his illegal worker for four months. Lavery has to tell the illegal immigrant what the law says: they have no recourse.

"I'd like to see some sort of cure for that," he said, responding to Librarian Margaret Ellis' question about what immigration issue he'd like to see examined during elections.

Ellis invited Lavery to speak about modern immigration law to draw out the theme in "Dark Tide," by Stephen Puleo, a non-fiction book that she urges the whole town to read.

"The book deals with immigration in the early part of the 20th century. I wanted to (see) how different is immigration today? In some ways, it's the same, just a different group of people," Ellis said.

Read the remainder of the article here.

On the same page - discussion

On the same page - discussion, originally uploaded by shersteve.

David Park and Khadija Hassine were deep in discussion during the Tuesday evening get together as part of the Library program "On the Same Page" facilitated by Margaret Ellis.

The immigrant experience in America was one of the themes in the book, Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919 by Stephen Puleo.

What did the recent immigrants have to say about their time here?

• "here in Franklin, it is like a big family, everyone knows somebody"
• "my new 'mother' is downstairs"
• "life is too busy here, all work, work, work"

How did they pick Franklin?

Most acknowledged that the reputation of the school system was the key reason. The location of the commuter rail and the safety of the area were two other prime reasons.

What were difficulties they found here?

• "too many forms, they ask the same questions so many times"
• "making friends, they found neighbors very helpful but those who could be friends had not enough time"

What were differences they found here?

• "so easy to drive here, back in my country it requires much more skill"
• "lives are so independent here, in my country life is more centered on the family"
• "time is so important here, everyone is so busy. I can hear: I have not seen him in two months. Back home, that is not possible."

The Franklin area immigrants represented a diverse collection of countries, from our northern neighbor Canada to Bulgaria, India, Morocco, Poland, and Vietnam.

Chris Lavery gets recognized for good work

While recognizing the need for safeguards in the post-9/11 era, Lavery believes immigration law does need to be reformed.

"It can be incredibly draconian," Lavery said of U.S. immigration law. "There are laws in place that kind of curl your toes."

For example, he said, the law requires the detention of anyone with "even a minor offense," such as violating a visa. It can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to resolve such cases, Lavery said, and in the meantime the aliens are kept in corrections facilities along with people who have been tried and convicted of various crimes.

If an alien in detention gives up on becoming a U.S. citizen, Lavery said, even then it can take six to eight weeks before they are released to return to their countries of origin.

"There needs to be reform. The immigrant population here is just burgeoning," Lavery said. "It's about time we give them some kind of fair avenue to legalize their status here."

Read the full article by Heather McCarron in the Milford Daily News about the recognition Chris is receiving as a recipient of the Solas Appreciation Award.

Congratulations, Chris. Keep up the good work!