Immigrants in Immigrants in MarylandMaryland

Presentation prepared by Liz Presentation prepared by Liz Alex, Alex,

CASA of MarylandCASA of Maryland

CASA of MarylandCASA of Maryland

• The mission of CASA of Maryland, Inc., is to improve the The mission of CASA of Maryland, Inc., is to improve the quality of life, social and economic well being of the Latino quality of life, social and economic well being of the Latino community. CASA facilitates the self-development, community. CASA facilitates the self-development, organization, and mobilization of the Latino community to organization, and mobilization of the Latino community to gain full participation in the larger society. gain full participation in the larger society.

• Since 1985, CASA has evolved from focusing primarily on Since 1985, CASA has evolved from focusing primarily on direct service provision to Central American refugees direct service provision to Central American refugees arriving in the metropolitan D.C. area to providing a wide arriving in the metropolitan D.C. area to providing a wide range of educational, organizing, and advocacy activities range of educational, organizing, and advocacy activities designed to address the multiple conditions of poverty and designed to address the multiple conditions of poverty and disenfranchisement that control the lives of many Latino disenfranchisement that control the lives of many Latino immigrants and refugees. immigrants and refugees.

• CASA’s main office is located in Silver Spring, with CASA’s main office is located in Silver Spring, with administrative offices in Takoma Park and satellite offices administrative offices in Takoma Park and satellite offices in Wheaton and Baltimorein Wheaton and Baltimore

Immigrants in MarylandImmigrants in Maryland

• According to the 2005, census, there are According to the 2005, census, there are 641,373foreign-born residents in Maryland, 641,373foreign-born residents in Maryland, representing 25.3 percent increase since 200.representing 25.3 percent increase since 200.

• In 2005, 11.7 percent of Maryland's total In 2005, 11.7 percent of Maryland's total population were foreign born, compared with 9.9 population were foreign born, compared with 9.9 percent in 2000 and 6.5 percent in 1990. percent in 2000 and 6.5 percent in 1990.

• In MD, 44.6% of foreign born residents were US In MD, 44.6% of foreign born residents were US Citizens; 55.4% % are not citizens (may be legal Citizens; 55.4% % are not citizens (may be legal permanent or temporary residents, asylees, or permanent or temporary residents, asylees, or undocumented)undocumented)

Where do they come Where do they come from?from?

• Maryland’s foreign-born population is one of Maryland’s foreign-born population is one of the most diverse in the country; they come the most diverse in the country; they come here from over 70 different countries.here from over 70 different countries.

• The largest number of foreign-born residents The largest number of foreign-born residents in MD come from Latin America (37.3%), in MD come from Latin America (37.3%), followed by 33.0 percent from Asia, 15.0 followed by 33.0 percent from Asia, 15.0 percent were from Africa, 13.2 percent from percent were from Africa, 13.2 percent from Europe,, 1.3 percent from Northern America Europe,, 1.3 percent from Northern America (Canada, Bermuda, Greenland, and St. Pierre (Canada, Bermuda, Greenland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon), and 0.3 percent from Oceanaiaand Miquelon), and 0.3 percent from Oceanaia

• **According to the 2005 US CensusAccording to the 2005 US Census

Legal Status of Foreign-Legal Status of Foreign-Born Living in the United Born Living in the United

StatesStates• 30% are Naturalized US Citizens30% are Naturalized US Citizens• 31% are Legal Permanent Residents31% are Legal Permanent Residents• 5% are Legal Temporary Residents5% are Legal Temporary Residents• 8 % are Refugee Arrivals8 % are Refugee Arrivals• 26% are Undocumented Immigrants26% are Undocumented Immigrants

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Citizens LPR LTR Refugees Undocumented

Legal Status in MDLegal Status in MD

• In MD over 45% of the Foreign-Born In MD over 45% of the Foreign-Born who responded to the 2000 Census who responded to the 2000 Census were Naturalized Citizenswere Naturalized Citizens

• In MD, over 40,000 people have In MD, over 40,000 people have Temporary Protected Status Temporary Protected Status

• There is no clear data on the % of There is no clear data on the % of Foreign Born who are undocumented Foreign Born who are undocumented in Maryland, but nationwide it is in Maryland, but nationwide it is estimated that 20-30% of all foreign estimated that 20-30% of all foreign born residents are undocumented.born residents are undocumented.

Trends in MD Immigrant Trends in MD Immigrant Population*Population*

YearYear 19901990 20002000 20052005Native Native BornBorn

4,362,04,362,01818

93.593.5%%

4,653,44,653,490 90

90.90.1%1%

4,819,94,819,945 45

88.88.3%3%

Foreign Foreign BornBorn

304,94304,945 5

6.5%6.5% 512,04512,040 0

9.99.9%%

641,37641,373 3

11.11.7%7%

Not a Not a CitizenCitizen

181,14181,144 4

3.9%3.9% 284,02284,021 1

5.55.5%%

355,35355,354 4

6.56.5%%

NaturalizNaturalized ed CitizenCitizen

123,80123,801 1

2.7%2.7% 228,01228,019 9

4.44.4%%

286,01286,019 9

5.25.2%%

*From MPI 2005 Census Data Report

Overall MD TrendsOverall MD Trends

• Between 2000 and 2005, foreign born Between 2000 and 2005, foreign born population in MD increased by 25.3%, population in MD increased by 25.3%, compared to 16% nationallycompared to 16% nationally

• The foreign-born population in MD is The foreign-born population in MD is more geographically dispersed, with more geographically dispersed, with significant populations in Montgomery, significant populations in Montgomery, Prince Georges, Baltimore County, Prince Georges, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Howard County, Anne Baltimore City, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, and the Eastern ShoreArundel County, and the Eastern Shore

GROUP DISCUSSIONSGROUP DISCUSSIONS

Focus on Students: Focus on Students: Existing SituationExisting Situation

– Most young people have no way of adjusting Most young people have no way of adjusting their legal status independently of their parentstheir legal status independently of their parents

– Immigrant students are able to apply and be Immigrant students are able to apply and be accepted to college, regardless of immigration accepted to college, regardless of immigration status, although many times the paperwork is status, although many times the paperwork is even more cumbersome and admissions staff even more cumbersome and admissions staff members may not be helpfulmembers may not be helpful

– Immigrant students with temporary residency or Immigrant students with temporary residency or who are undocumented are not eligible for who are undocumented are not eligible for federal or state financial aidfederal or state financial aid

– Immigrant students who graduate from MD high Immigrant students who graduate from MD high schools are not eligible for in-state tuition rates schools are not eligible for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities, and must pay at public colleges and universities, and must pay out of state or foreign student tuition ratesout of state or foreign student tuition rates

Focus on Students: Existing Focus on Students: Existing SituationSituation

• What do you think this means for What do you think this means for current immigrant high school current immigrant high school students?students?

• How would this effect the way that How would this effect the way that students approach their high school students approach their high school education?education?

• What broader societal effects could What broader societal effects could the situation have?the situation have?

Pending Proposals: In Pending Proposals: In State TuitionState Tuition

• Would grant in-state tuition to Would grant in-state tuition to students who:students who:– Graduate from MD high schoolsGraduate from MD high schools– Pay taxes in MDPay taxes in MD– Have attend high school in MD for at Have attend high school in MD for at

least 2 years and apply to college within least 2 years and apply to college within 5 years of graduating5 years of graduating

– Swear to file to become legal permanent Swear to file to become legal permanent resident within 30 days of becoming resident within 30 days of becoming eligibleeligible

Pending Proposals: In-Pending Proposals: In-State TuitionState Tuition

• In state tuition is a state issue, must In state tuition is a state issue, must be passed by the state legislature and be passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor.signed by the governor.

• In 2007, passed in the house of In 2007, passed in the house of delegates, but ran out of time in the delegates, but ran out of time in the state senate, had strong support from state senate, had strong support from Governor O’MalleyGovernor O’Malley

• Will be proposed again in Jan of 2009Will be proposed again in Jan of 2009

Questions:Questions:

• How would passage of In-State How would passage of In-State Tuition help the situation of Tuition help the situation of immigrant students?immigrant students?

• What impact could it have on our What impact could it have on our high schools? Colleges?high schools? Colleges?

• 11 other states have passed in-state 11 other states have passed in-state tuition. Do you think MD will become tuition. Do you think MD will become the 12the 12thth state this year? Why or why state this year? Why or why not?not?

Pending Proposals: The Pending Proposals: The DREAM ACTDREAM ACT

• Would provide conditional legal status Would provide conditional legal status to students who:to students who:– have arrived in the US before the age of 16 have arrived in the US before the age of 16 – Arrived at least 5 years before the date of Arrived at least 5 years before the date of

passage, passage, – graduate from high school in the USgraduate from high school in the US– Are accepted in to college or the US Are accepted in to college or the US

militarymilitary

• Students would be eligible for federal Students would be eligible for federal financial aidfinancial aid

Pending Proposals: The Pending Proposals: The DREAM ACTDREAM ACT

• Conditional legal status would last for 6 Conditional legal status would last for 6 years. During that period of time, a years. During that period of time, a student would need to complete 2 years student would need to complete 2 years of college education or serve for 2 years of college education or serve for 2 years in the military.in the military.

• Upon successful completion of the 2 Upon successful completion of the 2 year requirement, the “conditional” year requirement, the “conditional” status would convert into legal status would convert into legal permanent residency, and would count permanent residency, and would count toward the total time towards toward the total time towards naturalization.naturalization.

Pending Proposals: The Pending Proposals: The DREAM ACTDREAM ACT

• The DREAM ACT has been introduced The DREAM ACT has been introduced for several years in congress, as part of for several years in congress, as part of other billsother bills

• In 2008,for the first time, it was In 2008,for the first time, it was introduced as a separate bill, but failed a introduced as a separate bill, but failed a cloture vote by a narrow margin.cloture vote by a narrow margin.

• The DREAM ACT will most likely be The DREAM ACT will most likely be included in any comprehensive included in any comprehensive immigration reform proposal introduced immigration reform proposal introduced under the new administration in 2009.under the new administration in 2009.

Questions:Questions:

• How would the DREAM ACT effect How would the DREAM ACT effect immigrant students who are immigrant students who are currently in high school?currently in high school?

• What other parts of society would be What other parts of society would be impacted by this legislation? How?impacted by this legislation? How?

• Do you think the DREAM ACT will Do you think the DREAM ACT will pass this year? Why or Why Not?pass this year? Why or Why Not?

Focus on Workers: Focus on Workers: Existing SituationExisting Situation

-Although the share of foreign-born employment increased -Although the share of foreign-born employment increased by 22 percent between 1996 and 2000, the share of fatal by 22 percent between 1996 and 2000, the share of fatal occupational injuries for this population increased by 43 occupational injuries for this population increased by 43 percent.percent.

-Fatal work injuries in six states accounted for 64 percent -Fatal work injuries in six states accounted for 64 percent of all fatalities to foreign-born workers between 1996 of all fatalities to foreign-born workers between 1996 and 2001: California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New and 2001: California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Texas. York and Texas.

-Nearly one in four fatally injured foreign-born worker was -Nearly one in four fatally injured foreign-born worker was employed in the construction industry. employed in the construction industry.

-Less than one-third of the costs of occupational illnesses -Less than one-third of the costs of occupational illnesses and injuries are paid for by employer-funded workers' and injuries are paid for by employer-funded workers' compensation-with taxpayers picking up nearly 20 compensation-with taxpayers picking up nearly 20 percent of the tab through Medicaid and Medicare. percent of the tab through Medicaid and Medicare. Injured workers and their families pay the largest Injured workers and their families pay the largest share.*share.*

** Immigrant Workers at Risk: The Urgent Need for Improved Workplace Safety and Health Policies Immigrant Workers at Risk: The Urgent Need for Improved Workplace Safety and Health Policies and Programsand Programs (2006) (2006)

Focus on Workers: Focus on Workers: Existing SituationExisting Situation

• Day laborers regularly suffer employer abuse. In a Day laborers regularly suffer employer abuse. In a 2006 study of day laborers nationwide, amost half of 2006 study of day laborers nationwide, amost half of all day laborers experienced at least one instance of all day laborers experienced at least one instance of wage theft in the two months prior to being surveyed. wage theft in the two months prior to being surveyed. In addition, 44 percent were denied food/water or In addition, 44 percent were denied food/water or breaks while on the job.breaks while on the job.

• • • Workplace injuries are common. One in five day Workplace injuries are common. One in five day laborers has suffered a work-related injury, and more laborers has suffered a work-related injury, and more than half of those who were injured in the past year than half of those who were injured in the past year did not receive medical care. More than two-thirds of did not receive medical care. More than two-thirds of injured day laborers have lost time from work.*injured day laborers have lost time from work.*

• ** “ON THE CORNER: “ON THE CORNER: Day Labor in the United States” Center for Urban Poverty, UCLA. Day Labor in the United States” Center for Urban Poverty, UCLA. (2006)(2006)

Questions:Questions:

-What might be some longer term -What might be some longer term effects of dangerous working effects of dangerous working conditions and rampant wage theft conditions and rampant wage theft on immigrant workers and their on immigrant workers and their families?families?

-What role (s) do immigrant workers -What role (s) do immigrant workers fill in our economy?fill in our economy?

Pending Solutions: Pending Solutions: Immigrant WorkersImmigrant Workers

• Workers Centers operated by non-profit Workers Centers operated by non-profit organizations provide some protection to organizations provide some protection to workers from wage theft, unscrupulous workers from wage theft, unscrupulous employers, and other employer abuse. employers, and other employer abuse. However, in many areas of the country, However, in many areas of the country, including several local counties in including several local counties in Virginia, workers centers have had to Virginia, workers centers have had to close after local government laws close after local government laws eliminated funding or mandated that staff eliminated funding or mandated that staff check immigration status documentationcheck immigration status documentation

Pending Solutions: local Pending Solutions: local and state legislationand state legislation

• In several states (including MD), In several states (including MD), local and state governments have local and state governments have attempted to pass laws in recent attempted to pass laws in recent years to increase sanctions on years to increase sanctions on employers who do not pay their employers who do not pay their workers and to ensure that living workers and to ensure that living wages laws apply to day laborers wages laws apply to day laborers where relevant according local or where relevant according local or state laws.state laws.

Questions: Questions:

• How do workers centers assist How do workers centers assist immigrant workers?immigrant workers?

• What other parts of the broader What other parts of the broader community may be impacted community may be impacted (positively or negatively) by workers (positively or negatively) by workers centers?centers?

• What are some challenges to What are some challenges to addressing the issue of wage theft?addressing the issue of wage theft?

Focus on Women: Focus on Women: Existing SituationExisting Situation

• Working immigrant families were twice Working immigrant families were twice as likely as working native families to be as likely as working native families to be low income or poor, they were much less low income or poor, they were much less likely than low-income native families to likely than low-income native families to participate in the EITC, receive income participate in the EITC, receive income assistance, Food Stamps, or housing assistance, Food Stamps, or housing assistance, and/or have their children assistance, and/or have their children enrolled in child care.*enrolled in child care.*

• ** A Profile of Low-Income Working Immigrant FamiliesCapps, Randy, Michael Fix, Everett Capps, Randy, Michael Fix, Everett Henderson, and Jane Rearson-Anderson(2005)Henderson, and Jane Rearson-Anderson(2005)

QuestionsQuestions

• What challenges to immigrant women What challenges to immigrant women face in the US?face in the US?

• What types of labor issues might What types of labor issues might women encounter that their male women encounter that their male counterparts do not?counterparts do not?

• Women traditionally play a key role in Women traditionally play a key role in making sure their families access making sure their families access health care. What barriers are they health care. What barriers are they likely to encounter?likely to encounter?

Si, Se Puede!Si, Se Puede!