ALL ABOUT ME
Photos by Jackson Stahl (www.jaxhouseproductions.com)
Hello readers. My name is Precious Barksdale. I just graduated from the University of North Carolina at Asheville with a bachelor of arts degree in Mass Communication and General Sociology. The purpose of this website is to present articles, poems, lists and blurbs that I find interesting. In the past I've written about many topics. I've written about politics, celebrities, local news, opinion, music events, art, food and nightlife. The best of my writing skills are yet to come! On this page in particular, I have a series of articles I wrote for my senior colloquium class about immigration. Feel free to explore other pages on this website to see my credentials, resume, work samples and favorite interests. I also want to provide a proper forum in which people from all ages and backgrounds can give me their thoughts, comments and constructive criticism on my writing. If you think of any topics that you would like me to expand on, PLEASE COMMENT! Do not hesitate to give me feedback. I want to know that someone else other than myself is reading my content. Thanks for visiting and I hope you like what you see!!!
The Dream
Precious Barksdale
Public Affairs Journalism
Overview Article
February 1, 2011
Martin Luther King Jr. once dreamed of equality and civil rights for everyone, which undocumented immigrants dream for themselves today.
Alikhan Salehi and some UNC Asheville students attended the MLK Prayer Breakfast in support of the event, but in protest against Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan and Democratic congressman Heath Shuler.
Today Salehi is a peer advisor at the One Stop Student Services at UNC Asheville. Although the MLK Prayer Breakfast happened earlier this month, it’s an important moment in his life.
“When Senator Kay Hagan and congressmen Heath Shuler were asked to speak at the MLK Prayer Breakfast after they voted against the DREAM Act, it was a slap in the face,” said Salehi, former president and current advisor of HOLA, a UNCA Hispanic organization.
The DREAM Act, Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, first reached the U.S. Senate in 2001, but failed to reach the House of Representatives last year, according to the National Immigration Law Center.
“It was an insult,” Salehi said. “Martin Luther King Jr. would have been on our side in this fight. He would recognize immigration as a human rights issue.”
Hagan supports civil rights, education reform and affordable health care, according to the U.S. Senate.
She also supports border security and amnesty. Shuler supports border security, interior enforcement and employment verification, according to officials from the U.S. Senate.
The DREAM Act requires immigrant high school graduates to complete two years of military service or two years at a four-year institution, according to the NILC.
“Robb and I are both ardent supporters of the DREAM Act. This is one immigration reform outside of enforcement policies we thought would pass,” said Kirti Shastri, an Asheville immigration paralegal.
Shastri works with her husband, Robb Hill, an attorney in Asheville.
"We were saddened and disappointed that the Senate avoided a vote on the DREAM Act," Shastri said. "In no other part of the law do we hold the children of people who broke the law responsible for the action of their parents."
The Enforcement and Removal Operations identifies illegal immigrants and sends them to detention facilities that deport them to their country of origin, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"I also truly fear for so many of the kids we have met that would benefit from the DREAM Act," Shastri said. "Many of them have no knowledge, memory or understanding of the country in which they were born."
Last year, the total amount of deportations increased by 3,000 more deportations occurred than in the previous year, according to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“The U.S. is the only country they know," Shastri said. "Some will go back to countries where they do not speak the language; others will go back to countries that are war torn, gang ridden or poverty stricken."
For an undocumented minor it could take 13 years or more to obtain citizenship and only with a green card, according to the National Foundation for American Policy.
“The DREAM Act shouldn’t be as continuous,” Salehi said. “This is their home regardless of whether the law says so; they should be able to access things just like anyone else would.”
North Carolina would’ve benefited from a $3.2 billion deficit this year and increased tax revenues if the DREAM Act passed, according to NFAP officials.
"I think the thing that concerns us most about the immigration debate is that so many people keep asking us why don't they just apply for citizenship,” Shastri said."The response is there is no mechanism to apply directly for lawful permanent residency."
Kristen Lambertin, immigration specialist at Catholic Social Services, works with documented and undocumented immigrants who want legal permanent residency. She also is an accredited member of the Board of Immigration Appeals.
“I work directly with clients who seek assistance with family-based petitions,” Lambertin said. "The process of becoming a permanent resident can take anywhere from one to 20 years depending on who petitions the immigrant."
Petitions for permanent residency go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and require the immigrant to show proof of relation to their sponsor.
“We try to educate the Latino community by carefully explaining the process of obtaining permanent residency and by letting them know if they are eligible for certain immigration benefits,” Lambertin said. “Word of mouth is also strong in this community.”
Applicants for permanent residency often pay consultants or to help them with the process, according to the American Bar Association.
“Some of our clients visit notarios ensenadas, which in English means professional consultants, to lead them in the direction of legal and professional help,” Lambertin said.
Although notarios ensenadas help immigrants find professional assistance, the Commission on Immigration advises immigrants to find legitimate consultants and not people who pose as consultants and commit fraud, according to the ABA.
“Some people come into our offices thinking they’ve already sent out a legitimate petition for permanent residency, when they’ve actually been mislead by a notario, who is someone who has no training in immigration law and is illegally providing immigration services," Lambertin said.
Those who experience notario fraud should file a complaint, according to the Catholic Legal Immigration Network.
“Clients sometimes fail to see professionals because of the fear of being stopped by the police without documentation and deported out of the country,” Lambertin said.
License checkpoints in Asheville increased from 10 percent to 15 percent in the last two years, according to officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“Looking back on the MLK Prayer Breakfast, it made me realize that we have a long road ahead of us on the debate of immigration,” Salehi said. "It will not be an easy road, perhaps we can start having the difficult conversations that are needed to make progress.”
Public Affairs Journalism
Overview Article
February 1, 2011
Martin Luther King Jr. once dreamed of equality and civil rights for everyone, which undocumented immigrants dream for themselves today.
Alikhan Salehi and some UNC Asheville students attended the MLK Prayer Breakfast in support of the event, but in protest against Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan and Democratic congressman Heath Shuler.
Today Salehi is a peer advisor at the One Stop Student Services at UNC Asheville. Although the MLK Prayer Breakfast happened earlier this month, it’s an important moment in his life.
“When Senator Kay Hagan and congressmen Heath Shuler were asked to speak at the MLK Prayer Breakfast after they voted against the DREAM Act, it was a slap in the face,” said Salehi, former president and current advisor of HOLA, a UNCA Hispanic organization.
The DREAM Act, Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, first reached the U.S. Senate in 2001, but failed to reach the House of Representatives last year, according to the National Immigration Law Center.
“It was an insult,” Salehi said. “Martin Luther King Jr. would have been on our side in this fight. He would recognize immigration as a human rights issue.”
Hagan supports civil rights, education reform and affordable health care, according to the U.S. Senate.
She also supports border security and amnesty. Shuler supports border security, interior enforcement and employment verification, according to officials from the U.S. Senate.
The DREAM Act requires immigrant high school graduates to complete two years of military service or two years at a four-year institution, according to the NILC.
“Robb and I are both ardent supporters of the DREAM Act. This is one immigration reform outside of enforcement policies we thought would pass,” said Kirti Shastri, an Asheville immigration paralegal.
Shastri works with her husband, Robb Hill, an attorney in Asheville.
"We were saddened and disappointed that the Senate avoided a vote on the DREAM Act," Shastri said. "In no other part of the law do we hold the children of people who broke the law responsible for the action of their parents."
The Enforcement and Removal Operations identifies illegal immigrants and sends them to detention facilities that deport them to their country of origin, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"I also truly fear for so many of the kids we have met that would benefit from the DREAM Act," Shastri said. "Many of them have no knowledge, memory or understanding of the country in which they were born."
Last year, the total amount of deportations increased by 3,000 more deportations occurred than in the previous year, according to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“The U.S. is the only country they know," Shastri said. "Some will go back to countries where they do not speak the language; others will go back to countries that are war torn, gang ridden or poverty stricken."
For an undocumented minor it could take 13 years or more to obtain citizenship and only with a green card, according to the National Foundation for American Policy.
“The DREAM Act shouldn’t be as continuous,” Salehi said. “This is their home regardless of whether the law says so; they should be able to access things just like anyone else would.”
North Carolina would’ve benefited from a $3.2 billion deficit this year and increased tax revenues if the DREAM Act passed, according to NFAP officials.
"I think the thing that concerns us most about the immigration debate is that so many people keep asking us why don't they just apply for citizenship,” Shastri said."The response is there is no mechanism to apply directly for lawful permanent residency."
Kristen Lambertin, immigration specialist at Catholic Social Services, works with documented and undocumented immigrants who want legal permanent residency. She also is an accredited member of the Board of Immigration Appeals.
“I work directly with clients who seek assistance with family-based petitions,” Lambertin said. "The process of becoming a permanent resident can take anywhere from one to 20 years depending on who petitions the immigrant."
Petitions for permanent residency go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and require the immigrant to show proof of relation to their sponsor.
“We try to educate the Latino community by carefully explaining the process of obtaining permanent residency and by letting them know if they are eligible for certain immigration benefits,” Lambertin said. “Word of mouth is also strong in this community.”
Applicants for permanent residency often pay consultants or to help them with the process, according to the American Bar Association.
“Some of our clients visit notarios ensenadas, which in English means professional consultants, to lead them in the direction of legal and professional help,” Lambertin said.
Although notarios ensenadas help immigrants find professional assistance, the Commission on Immigration advises immigrants to find legitimate consultants and not people who pose as consultants and commit fraud, according to the ABA.
“Some people come into our offices thinking they’ve already sent out a legitimate petition for permanent residency, when they’ve actually been mislead by a notario, who is someone who has no training in immigration law and is illegally providing immigration services," Lambertin said.
Those who experience notario fraud should file a complaint, according to the Catholic Legal Immigration Network.
“Clients sometimes fail to see professionals because of the fear of being stopped by the police without documentation and deported out of the country,” Lambertin said.
License checkpoints in Asheville increased from 10 percent to 15 percent in the last two years, according to officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“Looking back on the MLK Prayer Breakfast, it made me realize that we have a long road ahead of us on the debate of immigration,” Salehi said. "It will not be an easy road, perhaps we can start having the difficult conversations that are needed to make progress.”
The Experience of Loida
Precious Barksdale
Public Affairs Journalism
Personality Profile
February, 11, 2011
Loida could not take it anymore. Last month, she felt like a ton of problems pushed her deep into the dirt.
“I just felt so overwhelmed, like everything was happening all at once,” said Loida Ginocchio-Silva, vice president of the UNC Asheville Hispanic organization, HOLA. “I needed to cry and just let it out.”
The night is wet and dreary at the ice cream parlor. The vibrant salmon and teal walls make the place loud and lively. After the HOLA meeting there, Loida burst into tears as members surround her with
comfort.
Loida lives in Asheville. Her car broke down and her computer crashed.
With barely enough money to pay rent, a cell phone bill and her college tuition, she could not find a job.
UNCA’s current in state tuition fee is $4, 458 per year and out of state tuition fee is $17, 230 per year, according to the university board of trustees.
On top of a long list of problems, she recently found out her grandmother in Peru had cancer. Loida felt numb as one problem trumped the other.
“I can’t go visit my grandmother because I will not be able to come back,” Loida said. “It’s just a really hard time in my life.”
Though frustrated with her personal life, her greater frustrations lie with the law and its inability to provide enough opportunities for undocumented immigrants.
“The current University of North Carolina system policy says UNC system schools can admit undocumented students who meet that university’s admission requirements,” said Beatrice Mitchell, associate director of admissions.
However, this policy would require undocumented students to pay out of state tuition. Section 505 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, prohibits undocumented students from receiving in-state tuition at public universities.
“I work, go to school, pay taxes and give back to the community,” Loida said. “That should count for something.”
Gabriel Lemus, the advisor of HOLA, gently rubbed Loida’s back as she covered her face with both hands and cried.
“Most of the time Loida is cheerful and outgoing, but when she's sad she gets quiet,” Lemus said.
She rose above fear to live life
Loida stared at her reflection in the mirror with a content look on her face. She adjusted her navy blue gown and straightened the soft white tassels on her cap. The silver nickel medallion wrapped around the top of the tassels read class of 2005.
‘A high school graduate from East Forsyth High School’ she thought to herself. Loida felt accomplished, but afraid her status would ruin her dreams of a college education.
"I felt stuck," Loida said. "Happy to graduate, but worried about the future."
About 65,000 undocumented immigrants graduated from a U.S. high school last year, according to the University of Calfornia in Los Angeles Center for Labor Research and Education.
In 2004, undocumented students cost the state 321.3 million dollars on K-12 education costs, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform.
Although worried about her future resolution 19 would bring her some hope for the future.
Resolution 19 proposed by the General Assembly of the UNC Association of Student Governments in 2008 would recommend the North Carolina Community College System restore college access to undocumented
students.
During the humid summer in Alamance, Loida attended the local community college. She planned to attend UNCA, but could only afford tuition.
The UNC system currently restricts all undocumented immigrants from financial aid and requires them to pay out of state tuition, according to the NCCCS.
Many odds were against Loida, but in spite of all adversity she stayed positive and hopeful. She faced anything in the way of her college education.
"I realized I had to get rid of my fears because I couldn't accomplish anything with fear," Loida said.
Four years after high school graduation, Loida did it all. She continued community college, worked days and nights at two jobs, and volunteered for non-profit organizations.
Loida loved to reach out to others. She volunteered at a center for battered women and worked as a waitress and babysitter.
“I'm very passionate about community service and I love helping people,” Loida said. “I’m also an advocate for immigration reform and the rights of undocumented immigrants.”
She decides to speak out
In the summer of 2010, Loida and her friend Rosario attended a march at UNC Chapel Hill against Arizona’s proposed bill called SB1070. This legislative bill prohibits the unlawful entry and the presence of illegal aliens in Arizona.
The sun shined bright in the baby blue sky. As light beamed on their foreheads, the women rustled their toes through the soft green grass.
Loida’s friend felt nervous because she wanted to reveal a part of herself that no one at UNC knew.
Rosario stepped onto the stage slowly. She adjusted the microphone in front of a large crowd and spoke into the mike, ‘my name is Rosario and I am an undocumented immigrant.’
“The strength it took for her to get up in front of everyone she knew to share a piece of her life was very empowering to watch,” Loida said.
Rosario’s hands and body trembled as she continued to profess her inner fears. The faces in the crowd were friends and other people she didn't know. Tears rolled down her face as a wave of emotion hit the crowd.
“At that moment, I decided I wanted to share my status with others,” Loida said.
Shortly after the event at UNC, Loida came out about her status as an undocumented immigrant to a large group of friends. This moment challenged her ability to let go of her fear of rejection by society.
“Now I have the strength to speak up for myself and the strength to help others speak up for themselves,” Loida said.
Loida described this moment as coming out from the shadows of fear and shame.
Shortly after, Loida and two other women co-founded the North Carolina Dream Team in support for immigration reform.
This team is a group of 15 to 20 members who currently support immigration reform through civil disobedience. With the team, Loida participated in sit-ins, marches, strikes and protests.
“We wanted the Dream Team to be a strong movement by using the power of undocumented youth to get the word out,” Loida said. “No longer would we allow advocacy groups or other groups in society to speak for us.”
The continuity of the fight
Later that night at the ice cream parlor, Loida uncovered her face and wiped the tears from her eyes. She knew the members of HOLA were genuine friends who knew what she went through.
“We wanted to support her in every way,” said Patricia Tomas, president of HOLA. “Loida is like a sister to me, I’ve learned a lot from her and her ability to make things happen.”
Tomas knew Loida’s story before she met her. Inspired by Loida’s previous involvement with the Dream Team, Tomas now works to share the topic of immigration with UNCA students.
“Loida and I have become family through HOLA because we share a lot of the same issues with immigration that impact our lives and our family and friends,” Tomas said.
After everyone left, Loida softly played acoustic guitar in solidarity to mellow her mind.
The next morning, Loida felt tremendously better than the day before. She knew everything would work for the best if she continued to work hard and fight for her dreams.
"We all get caught up in our own problems, but I sometimes the student community tends to ignore immigration reform," Loida said. "That's why groups like HOLA are important to have on campus to spread the word about injustice in our society."
Some day Loida wants to do social work and support undocumented immigrants that risk deportation.
“Hope is what helps me make it through,” Loida said. “I am still able to see the light at the end of the tunnel with every circumstance.”
Public Affairs Journalism
Personality Profile
February, 11, 2011
Loida could not take it anymore. Last month, she felt like a ton of problems pushed her deep into the dirt.
“I just felt so overwhelmed, like everything was happening all at once,” said Loida Ginocchio-Silva, vice president of the UNC Asheville Hispanic organization, HOLA. “I needed to cry and just let it out.”
The night is wet and dreary at the ice cream parlor. The vibrant salmon and teal walls make the place loud and lively. After the HOLA meeting there, Loida burst into tears as members surround her with
comfort.
Loida lives in Asheville. Her car broke down and her computer crashed.
With barely enough money to pay rent, a cell phone bill and her college tuition, she could not find a job.
UNCA’s current in state tuition fee is $4, 458 per year and out of state tuition fee is $17, 230 per year, according to the university board of trustees.
On top of a long list of problems, she recently found out her grandmother in Peru had cancer. Loida felt numb as one problem trumped the other.
“I can’t go visit my grandmother because I will not be able to come back,” Loida said. “It’s just a really hard time in my life.”
Though frustrated with her personal life, her greater frustrations lie with the law and its inability to provide enough opportunities for undocumented immigrants.
“The current University of North Carolina system policy says UNC system schools can admit undocumented students who meet that university’s admission requirements,” said Beatrice Mitchell, associate director of admissions.
However, this policy would require undocumented students to pay out of state tuition. Section 505 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, prohibits undocumented students from receiving in-state tuition at public universities.
“I work, go to school, pay taxes and give back to the community,” Loida said. “That should count for something.”
Gabriel Lemus, the advisor of HOLA, gently rubbed Loida’s back as she covered her face with both hands and cried.
“Most of the time Loida is cheerful and outgoing, but when she's sad she gets quiet,” Lemus said.
She rose above fear to live life
Loida stared at her reflection in the mirror with a content look on her face. She adjusted her navy blue gown and straightened the soft white tassels on her cap. The silver nickel medallion wrapped around the top of the tassels read class of 2005.
‘A high school graduate from East Forsyth High School’ she thought to herself. Loida felt accomplished, but afraid her status would ruin her dreams of a college education.
"I felt stuck," Loida said. "Happy to graduate, but worried about the future."
About 65,000 undocumented immigrants graduated from a U.S. high school last year, according to the University of Calfornia in Los Angeles Center for Labor Research and Education.
In 2004, undocumented students cost the state 321.3 million dollars on K-12 education costs, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform.
Although worried about her future resolution 19 would bring her some hope for the future.
Resolution 19 proposed by the General Assembly of the UNC Association of Student Governments in 2008 would recommend the North Carolina Community College System restore college access to undocumented
students.
During the humid summer in Alamance, Loida attended the local community college. She planned to attend UNCA, but could only afford tuition.
The UNC system currently restricts all undocumented immigrants from financial aid and requires them to pay out of state tuition, according to the NCCCS.
Many odds were against Loida, but in spite of all adversity she stayed positive and hopeful. She faced anything in the way of her college education.
"I realized I had to get rid of my fears because I couldn't accomplish anything with fear," Loida said.
Four years after high school graduation, Loida did it all. She continued community college, worked days and nights at two jobs, and volunteered for non-profit organizations.
Loida loved to reach out to others. She volunteered at a center for battered women and worked as a waitress and babysitter.
“I'm very passionate about community service and I love helping people,” Loida said. “I’m also an advocate for immigration reform and the rights of undocumented immigrants.”
She decides to speak out
In the summer of 2010, Loida and her friend Rosario attended a march at UNC Chapel Hill against Arizona’s proposed bill called SB1070. This legislative bill prohibits the unlawful entry and the presence of illegal aliens in Arizona.
The sun shined bright in the baby blue sky. As light beamed on their foreheads, the women rustled their toes through the soft green grass.
Loida’s friend felt nervous because she wanted to reveal a part of herself that no one at UNC knew.
Rosario stepped onto the stage slowly. She adjusted the microphone in front of a large crowd and spoke into the mike, ‘my name is Rosario and I am an undocumented immigrant.’
“The strength it took for her to get up in front of everyone she knew to share a piece of her life was very empowering to watch,” Loida said.
Rosario’s hands and body trembled as she continued to profess her inner fears. The faces in the crowd were friends and other people she didn't know. Tears rolled down her face as a wave of emotion hit the crowd.
“At that moment, I decided I wanted to share my status with others,” Loida said.
Shortly after the event at UNC, Loida came out about her status as an undocumented immigrant to a large group of friends. This moment challenged her ability to let go of her fear of rejection by society.
“Now I have the strength to speak up for myself and the strength to help others speak up for themselves,” Loida said.
Loida described this moment as coming out from the shadows of fear and shame.
Shortly after, Loida and two other women co-founded the North Carolina Dream Team in support for immigration reform.
This team is a group of 15 to 20 members who currently support immigration reform through civil disobedience. With the team, Loida participated in sit-ins, marches, strikes and protests.
“We wanted the Dream Team to be a strong movement by using the power of undocumented youth to get the word out,” Loida said. “No longer would we allow advocacy groups or other groups in society to speak for us.”
The continuity of the fight
Later that night at the ice cream parlor, Loida uncovered her face and wiped the tears from her eyes. She knew the members of HOLA were genuine friends who knew what she went through.
“We wanted to support her in every way,” said Patricia Tomas, president of HOLA. “Loida is like a sister to me, I’ve learned a lot from her and her ability to make things happen.”
Tomas knew Loida’s story before she met her. Inspired by Loida’s previous involvement with the Dream Team, Tomas now works to share the topic of immigration with UNCA students.
“Loida and I have become family through HOLA because we share a lot of the same issues with immigration that impact our lives and our family and friends,” Tomas said.
After everyone left, Loida softly played acoustic guitar in solidarity to mellow her mind.
The next morning, Loida felt tremendously better than the day before. She knew everything would work for the best if she continued to work hard and fight for her dreams.
"We all get caught up in our own problems, but I sometimes the student community tends to ignore immigration reform," Loida said. "That's why groups like HOLA are important to have on campus to spread the word about injustice in our society."
Some day Loida wants to do social work and support undocumented immigrants that risk deportation.
“Hope is what helps me make it through,” Loida said. “I am still able to see the light at the end of the tunnel with every circumstance.”
Racial Profiling
Precious Barksdale
Public Affairs Journalism
Public Affairs Article
March 15, 2011
Latino activists oppose the use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement training for Henderson County due to its potential to racially profile.
"The reason COLA started was because of Section 287 (g). We kept hearing stories about police brutality and racial profiling against people in the Latino community who were pulled over at license checkpoints," said Ada Volkmer, the coordinator for the Coalition of Organizations for Latin Americans.
The law is a portion of the Immigration and Nationality Act, enacted in 1996, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This portion of the act allows ICE enforcement to train local and state enforcement on how to identify, detain and deport criminal aliens, said officials from DHS.
Of the Western North Carolina 100 stories Project conducted by Nunez, Volkmer and other local activists, they found more than 45 reports of immigration-police abuse, according to a report by the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
"If they aren't trying to target the Latino community, then why do they put license checkpoints in front of Latino neighborhoods, schools and churches," Nunez said.
Of criminal aliens removed from the nation, 15 percent were due to false claims of citizenship, entry and re-entry and alien smuggling, according to DHS.
"Just because local law enforcement were trained by ICE, doesn't mean they were trained thoroughly," Nunez said.
ICE enforcement trains local police officers through a four-week training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston, S.C., said officials from DHS.
"On the sheriff’s behalf, the biggest reason why Henderson County chose to participate in Section 287 (g) was to identify the unidentified," said Sgt. Michael Cox from the Henderson County Sheriff's Office.
Henderson County engaged in a memorandum of agreement in 2009, according to ICE. The civil rights standards of this agreement, prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, said officials from ICE.
"We want to know who they are from a criminal standpoint, we’re not concerned about whether their documented or not," Cox said. "We don't assist the North Carolina Highway State Patrol. They run their own license checkpoints and have their own operation."
The state holds 18 counties with more Section 287(g) agreements than any other state in the country, according to CPC.
"A common stereotype is that some people of the Latino community think state troopers had them deported when it was really ICE enforcement," said Sgt. Jorge Brewer, public information officer for the Highway Patrol.
Brewer and other officers from the Highway Patrol conduct local license checkpoints around the state, according to the Highway Patrol.
"Some people have been pulled over for minor traffic violations such as driving without a license or an expired license,” Volkmer said. “Then they’re sent to detention centers and face the risk of being deported or separated from their families.”
Since 1996, The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles required a valid Social Security number or visa to apply for a driver’s license, according to the DMV. This excludes undocumented immigrants.
More than 380,000 illegal aliens faced arrest in 2009, according to DHS.
"State and local law enforcement play a critical role in protecting our homeland because they are often the first to come in contact with criminals and dangerous individuals," said Danielle Bennett, public affairs officer for ICE.
Bennett assists other ICE agents in Section 287 (g) training and participated in ICE raids in Tampa, Fla., Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
"ICE is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes efforts first on those dangerous criminal aliens who present the greatest risk to the security of our communities, not sweeps or raids to target undocumented immigrants indiscriminately," Bennett said.
Although many state and local law enforcement favor the use of the law, many find flaws with its use in society.
"Section 287 (g) is a good program inconsistently and ineffectively applied. Like almost everything the federal attempts, it is handled poorly," said clinical psychologist and former city councilman Carl Mumpower.
In 2008, Mumpower contacted ICE to raid Mills Manufacturing, a company that employed more than 57 undocumented immigrants, according to the Detention Watch Network.
"Would I report others, absolutely, and I do," Mumpower said. "Unfortunately ICE has been further weakened by Obama and their effectiveness is poor at best."
Mumpower is not the only person who agrees with this notion. William Gheen, president of Americans for Legal Immigration also disfavors the work of ICE.
"We try to work with ICE enforcement, but these days ICE is not doing their jobs," Gheen said. "When any American citizen calls ICE enforcement, the chance of response is less than 1 percent of 1 percent."
The DHS Secure Communities program gives ICE agents access to criminal databases of through fingerprint submission from the person arrested, according to the Immigration Policy Center.
"We can learn about warrants or crimes that an illegal alien has committed in other states," Cox said. "Section 287 (g) is good for Henderson county because it’s positive for the community and will make Henderson county a safe place to live."
Although a possible agreement on this issue seems seldom, many people seek possible solutions to better the situation.
"We tried it all, public forums, small groups, letters, protests and marches," Volkmer said. "We have not talked directly with ICE; we haven't reached out to them because we saw Sheriff Davis as welcoming ICE and inviting them to Henderson County."
Sen. Elizabeth Dole encouraged Buncombe and Henderson counties in 2008 to participate in Section 287 (g) she also suggested more federal dollars go to the ICE training program, according to the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
"We hope to teach both documented and undocumented Latinos to know their rights, know what to do when pulled over and take action to stop injustice," Volkmer said. "If in North Carolina everyone had access to a license or ID, there would be identification."
Public Affairs Journalism
Public Affairs Article
March 15, 2011
Latino activists oppose the use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement training for Henderson County due to its potential to racially profile.
"The reason COLA started was because of Section 287 (g). We kept hearing stories about police brutality and racial profiling against people in the Latino community who were pulled over at license checkpoints," said Ada Volkmer, the coordinator for the Coalition of Organizations for Latin Americans.
The law is a portion of the Immigration and Nationality Act, enacted in 1996, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This portion of the act allows ICE enforcement to train local and state enforcement on how to identify, detain and deport criminal aliens, said officials from DHS.
Of the Western North Carolina 100 stories Project conducted by Nunez, Volkmer and other local activists, they found more than 45 reports of immigration-police abuse, according to a report by the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
"If they aren't trying to target the Latino community, then why do they put license checkpoints in front of Latino neighborhoods, schools and churches," Nunez said.
Of criminal aliens removed from the nation, 15 percent were due to false claims of citizenship, entry and re-entry and alien smuggling, according to DHS.
"Just because local law enforcement were trained by ICE, doesn't mean they were trained thoroughly," Nunez said.
ICE enforcement trains local police officers through a four-week training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston, S.C., said officials from DHS.
"On the sheriff’s behalf, the biggest reason why Henderson County chose to participate in Section 287 (g) was to identify the unidentified," said Sgt. Michael Cox from the Henderson County Sheriff's Office.
Henderson County engaged in a memorandum of agreement in 2009, according to ICE. The civil rights standards of this agreement, prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, said officials from ICE.
"We want to know who they are from a criminal standpoint, we’re not concerned about whether their documented or not," Cox said. "We don't assist the North Carolina Highway State Patrol. They run their own license checkpoints and have their own operation."
The state holds 18 counties with more Section 287(g) agreements than any other state in the country, according to CPC.
"A common stereotype is that some people of the Latino community think state troopers had them deported when it was really ICE enforcement," said Sgt. Jorge Brewer, public information officer for the Highway Patrol.
Brewer and other officers from the Highway Patrol conduct local license checkpoints around the state, according to the Highway Patrol.
"Some people have been pulled over for minor traffic violations such as driving without a license or an expired license,” Volkmer said. “Then they’re sent to detention centers and face the risk of being deported or separated from their families.”
Since 1996, The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles required a valid Social Security number or visa to apply for a driver’s license, according to the DMV. This excludes undocumented immigrants.
More than 380,000 illegal aliens faced arrest in 2009, according to DHS.
"State and local law enforcement play a critical role in protecting our homeland because they are often the first to come in contact with criminals and dangerous individuals," said Danielle Bennett, public affairs officer for ICE.
Bennett assists other ICE agents in Section 287 (g) training and participated in ICE raids in Tampa, Fla., Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
"ICE is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes efforts first on those dangerous criminal aliens who present the greatest risk to the security of our communities, not sweeps or raids to target undocumented immigrants indiscriminately," Bennett said.
Although many state and local law enforcement favor the use of the law, many find flaws with its use in society.
"Section 287 (g) is a good program inconsistently and ineffectively applied. Like almost everything the federal attempts, it is handled poorly," said clinical psychologist and former city councilman Carl Mumpower.
In 2008, Mumpower contacted ICE to raid Mills Manufacturing, a company that employed more than 57 undocumented immigrants, according to the Detention Watch Network.
"Would I report others, absolutely, and I do," Mumpower said. "Unfortunately ICE has been further weakened by Obama and their effectiveness is poor at best."
Mumpower is not the only person who agrees with this notion. William Gheen, president of Americans for Legal Immigration also disfavors the work of ICE.
"We try to work with ICE enforcement, but these days ICE is not doing their jobs," Gheen said. "When any American citizen calls ICE enforcement, the chance of response is less than 1 percent of 1 percent."
The DHS Secure Communities program gives ICE agents access to criminal databases of through fingerprint submission from the person arrested, according to the Immigration Policy Center.
"We can learn about warrants or crimes that an illegal alien has committed in other states," Cox said. "Section 287 (g) is good for Henderson county because it’s positive for the community and will make Henderson county a safe place to live."
Although a possible agreement on this issue seems seldom, many people seek possible solutions to better the situation.
"We tried it all, public forums, small groups, letters, protests and marches," Volkmer said. "We have not talked directly with ICE; we haven't reached out to them because we saw Sheriff Davis as welcoming ICE and inviting them to Henderson County."
Sen. Elizabeth Dole encouraged Buncombe and Henderson counties in 2008 to participate in Section 287 (g) she also suggested more federal dollars go to the ICE training program, according to the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
"We hope to teach both documented and undocumented Latinos to know their rights, know what to do when pulled over and take action to stop injustice," Volkmer said. "If in North Carolina everyone had access to a license or ID, there would be identification."
The Effects of Deportation on Adolescents
Precious Barksdale
Public Affairs Journalism
March 22, 2011
Antonio Torres ran across his lawn only to see his grandparents hand-cuffed in front of a police car. Soon after Antonio's mother, Wanna Torres, came out of the house screen door with her hand over her face and crying.
"Were taking them to the detention center," police said.
As the police cars rolled away, Antonio wrapped his arm around his mothers back and walked her into the house.
"My son and I were very surprised and upset when they deported my parents," Torres said. "They only told us that we couldn't call anyone and that they had to take my parents away."
The experience of Antonio and Torres may occur to children of immigrants across the country. Families in this situation could split apart because of deportation and with no knowledge of their relatives return.
"The first thing we tell Latino families during counseling sessions is to tell your children not to say a word," said Norma Brown, Latino outreach program coordinator for ChildrenFirst in Asheville. "It doesn't matter how friendly the police may seem, if children say too much to the police, it may cause deportation to their families."
Brown also spoke with the children of immigrants who participated in this year’s 100 stories project conducted by the Coalition of Organizations for Latin Americans in Asheville.
"The problem for Latino parents is how do you instill fear into the minds of your children," Brown said. "The adolescents especially feel anguish and the fear of not knowing what will happen to their families once they're relatives are deported."
Antonio and his family remained cautious about what they did outside of the house. For the most part they refrained from driving to prevent the risk of being pulled over.
Although Antonio worried about his grandparents in Mexico, he continued his studies at Asheville Middle School and rarely missed days from school.
"When deportation happens it causes the family emotional trauma, especially if there is a financial struggle," Brown said.
In Antonio’s situation his emotional trauma created his fear of losing another family member and the uncertainty of not knowing when and if the event of deportation would occur again.
Long-term or short-term emotional trauma could occur if the breadwinner of the family is deported, said FCD officials.
The primary provider for Antonio’s family is his mother who works and sends her children Antonio and his younger sister to school.
"It's hard, children can't stand something that threatens their family," Brown said. "The adolescents become frustrated, scared and stressed and sometimes take on the care provider role if one or both parents are deported."
Antonio lives in a household where he is taken care of by his mother, but this may not occur for other families.
"Some teens I talk with are old enough to understand that their parents can be deported at any time, even themselves," said counselor at Catholic Charities Social Services in Asheville Betsy Herd.
Many Latino students said they don't feel safe at school due to the convenience of the police to find them and deport them to another country, according to the AFC.
"It's scary for them because many adolescents have lived here all their lives and then all of a sudden they're deported into their birth place, but what seems to them a foreign country," Herd said. "Some teens are deported with or without their parents and when deported out of the U.S. and don't know anyone."
Antonio did not face separation from his family, but from his grandparents. During the deportation he translated the comments of the police to his mother before they left.
Today Antonio faces many other obstacles in his day to day life.
"Also for Latino adolescents there may be prejudice from their peers in school," Herd said. "Sometimes their told 'you don't belong here' or are told to go home."
Bullying among Latino adolescents on school property dropped to 38 percent within the last two years in the state, according to the AFC.
Although this rate decreased, Herd said she still notices the prevalence in school bullying among Latino adolescents.
"One teen I spoke with said her teacher didn't expect to see her in an advanced learning class," Herd said. "So here we see the lifestyle of this teen that grew up in the U.S. for 16 years may have more or less difficulty to an immigrant teen that recently came to the U.S."
Antonio said he is not bullied at school because of his ethnicity and hopes to graduate from high school one day just as his peers.
His chances of graduating today seems high. The graduation rate for Latino children in the state rose in the last two years from 52 percent to 58 percent, according to the AFC.
"Some students say ‘why should I try to graduate from high school when I probably wouldn't be able to get into college,’ Herd said. “Even if they do get into a college then they do not know how they will afford to pay for college.”
Although hope remains for Latino adolescents, the probability of received benefits may diminish in the future due to the rise in deportations, according to Herd.
Public Affairs Journalism
March 22, 2011
Antonio Torres ran across his lawn only to see his grandparents hand-cuffed in front of a police car. Soon after Antonio's mother, Wanna Torres, came out of the house screen door with her hand over her face and crying.
"Were taking them to the detention center," police said.
As the police cars rolled away, Antonio wrapped his arm around his mothers back and walked her into the house.
"My son and I were very surprised and upset when they deported my parents," Torres said. "They only told us that we couldn't call anyone and that they had to take my parents away."
The experience of Antonio and Torres may occur to children of immigrants across the country. Families in this situation could split apart because of deportation and with no knowledge of their relatives return.
"The first thing we tell Latino families during counseling sessions is to tell your children not to say a word," said Norma Brown, Latino outreach program coordinator for ChildrenFirst in Asheville. "It doesn't matter how friendly the police may seem, if children say too much to the police, it may cause deportation to their families."
Brown also spoke with the children of immigrants who participated in this year’s 100 stories project conducted by the Coalition of Organizations for Latin Americans in Asheville.
"The problem for Latino parents is how do you instill fear into the minds of your children," Brown said. "The adolescents especially feel anguish and the fear of not knowing what will happen to their families once they're relatives are deported."
Antonio and his family remained cautious about what they did outside of the house. For the most part they refrained from driving to prevent the risk of being pulled over.
Although Antonio worried about his grandparents in Mexico, he continued his studies at Asheville Middle School and rarely missed days from school.
"When deportation happens it causes the family emotional trauma, especially if there is a financial struggle," Brown said.
In Antonio’s situation his emotional trauma created his fear of losing another family member and the uncertainty of not knowing when and if the event of deportation would occur again.
Long-term or short-term emotional trauma could occur if the breadwinner of the family is deported, said FCD officials.
The primary provider for Antonio’s family is his mother who works and sends her children Antonio and his younger sister to school.
"It's hard, children can't stand something that threatens their family," Brown said. "The adolescents become frustrated, scared and stressed and sometimes take on the care provider role if one or both parents are deported."
Antonio lives in a household where he is taken care of by his mother, but this may not occur for other families.
"Some teens I talk with are old enough to understand that their parents can be deported at any time, even themselves," said counselor at Catholic Charities Social Services in Asheville Betsy Herd.
Many Latino students said they don't feel safe at school due to the convenience of the police to find them and deport them to another country, according to the AFC.
"It's scary for them because many adolescents have lived here all their lives and then all of a sudden they're deported into their birth place, but what seems to them a foreign country," Herd said. "Some teens are deported with or without their parents and when deported out of the U.S. and don't know anyone."
Antonio did not face separation from his family, but from his grandparents. During the deportation he translated the comments of the police to his mother before they left.
Today Antonio faces many other obstacles in his day to day life.
"Also for Latino adolescents there may be prejudice from their peers in school," Herd said. "Sometimes their told 'you don't belong here' or are told to go home."
Bullying among Latino adolescents on school property dropped to 38 percent within the last two years in the state, according to the AFC.
Although this rate decreased, Herd said she still notices the prevalence in school bullying among Latino adolescents.
"One teen I spoke with said her teacher didn't expect to see her in an advanced learning class," Herd said. "So here we see the lifestyle of this teen that grew up in the U.S. for 16 years may have more or less difficulty to an immigrant teen that recently came to the U.S."
Antonio said he is not bullied at school because of his ethnicity and hopes to graduate from high school one day just as his peers.
His chances of graduating today seems high. The graduation rate for Latino children in the state rose in the last two years from 52 percent to 58 percent, according to the AFC.
"Some students say ‘why should I try to graduate from high school when I probably wouldn't be able to get into college,’ Herd said. “Even if they do get into a college then they do not know how they will afford to pay for college.”
Although hope remains for Latino adolescents, the probability of received benefits may diminish in the future due to the rise in deportations, according to Herd.
Justice for Farm Workers
Precious Barksdale
Public Affairs Journalism
April 7, 2011
Nadeen Bir picked up a sweet potato from the market shelf and examined it closely. Placing it in her cart, she hoped the farm workers who picked it did not work under horrible conditions.
"Many people think farm workers are poor and do nothing for the community, but this is a false awareness because farm workers in North Carolina feed many households," Bir said.
Bir is the advocacy and organizing director for the Student Action for Farm Workers organization in Durham. She and other officials from the organization advise students to participate in advocacy, leadership, research and documentary work in support of farm workers.
"We try to connect students to farm workers so that they will understand farm worker issues," Bir said. "Farm work is the third most dangerous job in the United States."
High rates of illnesses occur to farm workers on the job such as heat stress, dermatitis and other illnesses related to pesticide exposure, said Farm worker Institute officials.
"There are no bathrooms in the fields, so many workers find themselves with urinary tract infections and contagious diseases like tuberculosis when living in close quarters," Bir said.
Carol Brooke finds great injustice in farm worker illnesses. A migrant worker attorney for the North Carolina Justice Center, she represents migrant farm workers victimized by their employers.
"I work with migrant workers who are hurt in the fields and speak on their behalf in court," Brooke said. "Usually it’s to negotiate with the crew leaders on how to provide better wages and or worker's compensation after being hurt on the job."
Farm worker employers include farmers, growers and crew leaders, according to the Census Bureau. Crew leaders often provide housing, transportation and wages for farm workers.
"There is a diverse range of farm-workers from Latino, Asian, African American and white," Bir said. "On a nationwide scale, farm workers are mostly immigrants from Mexico and Central America."
About 53 percent of farm workers do not hold citizenship in this country, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
"Undocumented workers from Mexico may come to the states with the H-2B visa program to become a seasonal worker," Brooke said.
The state offers the H-2B visa program for temporary non-agricultural farm workers and the H-2A visa program for temporary agricultural workers, said Department of Labor officials.
Brooke remembers representing a particular client in court who suffered from green tobacco sickness when the summer heat allowed nicotine to penetrate into his skin.
"The conditions that these farm workers work in are horrible," Brooke said. "For people who provide food and other crops to the public they should be treated better."
The Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act would provide an earned legalization program for undocumented farm workers and the revision of the existing H-2A and H-2B visa programs, according to the officials.
"When AgJobs was proposed in 2005 it seemed to protect farm workers, especially to the media, but we later found out that this program only added further farm worker abuses," said Alexandria Jones, community organizer from the National Farm Worker Ministry.
These abuses include a greater fear among undocumented workers to report certain abuses or to ask for a higher wage due the risk of deportation by growers, farmers or crew leaders, according to the Farm Worker Ministry.
“To our ministry, farm workers deserve the same rights as other workers,” Jones said. “Corporations should be held responsible for the injustices done to farm workers because they employ the people who abuse them.”
The ministry supports the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Campaign of 2007, which involved an attempt to speak with state tobacco companies, said Farm Labor Organizing Committee officials.
RJ R officials refused to speak with committee officials and the media at the campaign, based on reports from their company.
Briana Connors, union member of FLOC, recalls her participation in the campaign and remembers the boycott in front of RJR headquarters in Winston-Salem.
“They just said it wasn’t their responsibility and did not say anything else about it, even current efforts to speak with them have failed,” Connors said.
Attempts were made to contact RJR officials, but they declined to comment.
"There are a wide range of problems occur at migrant camps and most of them are related to poverty," Brooke said. “It’s a shame that very few laws protect farm workers.”
About five out of 10 North Carolina farm workers cannot afford enough food for themselves and their families, said Farm worker Institute officials.
Brooke often wonders why the AgJobs Act did not pass by the nation’s legislation, but remains stead-fast in supporting migrant farm workers who need legal aid.
“At some point, there needs to be laws in the future that protect farm workers, especially if growers and farmers expect them to stick around,” Brooke said.
Public Affairs Journalism
April 7, 2011
Nadeen Bir picked up a sweet potato from the market shelf and examined it closely. Placing it in her cart, she hoped the farm workers who picked it did not work under horrible conditions.
"Many people think farm workers are poor and do nothing for the community, but this is a false awareness because farm workers in North Carolina feed many households," Bir said.
Bir is the advocacy and organizing director for the Student Action for Farm Workers organization in Durham. She and other officials from the organization advise students to participate in advocacy, leadership, research and documentary work in support of farm workers.
"We try to connect students to farm workers so that they will understand farm worker issues," Bir said. "Farm work is the third most dangerous job in the United States."
High rates of illnesses occur to farm workers on the job such as heat stress, dermatitis and other illnesses related to pesticide exposure, said Farm worker Institute officials.
"There are no bathrooms in the fields, so many workers find themselves with urinary tract infections and contagious diseases like tuberculosis when living in close quarters," Bir said.
Carol Brooke finds great injustice in farm worker illnesses. A migrant worker attorney for the North Carolina Justice Center, she represents migrant farm workers victimized by their employers.
"I work with migrant workers who are hurt in the fields and speak on their behalf in court," Brooke said. "Usually it’s to negotiate with the crew leaders on how to provide better wages and or worker's compensation after being hurt on the job."
Farm worker employers include farmers, growers and crew leaders, according to the Census Bureau. Crew leaders often provide housing, transportation and wages for farm workers.
"There is a diverse range of farm-workers from Latino, Asian, African American and white," Bir said. "On a nationwide scale, farm workers are mostly immigrants from Mexico and Central America."
About 53 percent of farm workers do not hold citizenship in this country, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
"Undocumented workers from Mexico may come to the states with the H-2B visa program to become a seasonal worker," Brooke said.
The state offers the H-2B visa program for temporary non-agricultural farm workers and the H-2A visa program for temporary agricultural workers, said Department of Labor officials.
Brooke remembers representing a particular client in court who suffered from green tobacco sickness when the summer heat allowed nicotine to penetrate into his skin.
"The conditions that these farm workers work in are horrible," Brooke said. "For people who provide food and other crops to the public they should be treated better."
The Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act would provide an earned legalization program for undocumented farm workers and the revision of the existing H-2A and H-2B visa programs, according to the officials.
"When AgJobs was proposed in 2005 it seemed to protect farm workers, especially to the media, but we later found out that this program only added further farm worker abuses," said Alexandria Jones, community organizer from the National Farm Worker Ministry.
These abuses include a greater fear among undocumented workers to report certain abuses or to ask for a higher wage due the risk of deportation by growers, farmers or crew leaders, according to the Farm Worker Ministry.
“To our ministry, farm workers deserve the same rights as other workers,” Jones said. “Corporations should be held responsible for the injustices done to farm workers because they employ the people who abuse them.”
The ministry supports the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Campaign of 2007, which involved an attempt to speak with state tobacco companies, said Farm Labor Organizing Committee officials.
RJ R officials refused to speak with committee officials and the media at the campaign, based on reports from their company.
Briana Connors, union member of FLOC, recalls her participation in the campaign and remembers the boycott in front of RJR headquarters in Winston-Salem.
“They just said it wasn’t their responsibility and did not say anything else about it, even current efforts to speak with them have failed,” Connors said.
Attempts were made to contact RJR officials, but they declined to comment.
"There are a wide range of problems occur at migrant camps and most of them are related to poverty," Brooke said. “It’s a shame that very few laws protect farm workers.”
About five out of 10 North Carolina farm workers cannot afford enough food for themselves and their families, said Farm worker Institute officials.
Brooke often wonders why the AgJobs Act did not pass by the nation’s legislation, but remains stead-fast in supporting migrant farm workers who need legal aid.
“At some point, there needs to be laws in the future that protect farm workers, especially if growers and farmers expect them to stick around,” Brooke said.
Healthcare for Latino Women
Precious Barksdale
Public Affairs Journalism
April 19, 2011
After experiencing a time of suffering, Viola now hopes for a better future for her family.
Cynthia Yancey met Viola while visiting Honduras last weekend in an effort to provide international health care to immigrant women.
“She is a14-year-old girl from a small village in Honduras; she told me about her mother who left her at 2 years old to work in the United States,” said Dr. Cynthia Yancey, from the Buncombe County Health Department. “She also told me she suffered from a serious house fire and became pregnant when she was raped at an early age.”
Of Honduran adolescents, 4 percent become pregnant with their first child between the ages of 15 to 19 years old, according to the World Health Organization.
Yancey’s eyes watered as she stared blankly into her pale white office wall.
“People just don’t realize the complexities that occur in some immigrant families,” Yancey said. “These women go through a lot of emotional pain when leaving their loved ones behind and pregnancy only complicates that matter.”
Among Hispanic women in America, 52 percent of teens risk pregnancy at least once before the age of 20, according to a recent study by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
“Things change when Hispanic women come to the United States,” Yancey said. “They leave their children behind to work, which seems good for the family, but neglect of the children occurs because of it.”
Poverty and citizenship often prevents access to adequate health care options, especially during pregnancy, said officials from the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
“Often with or without documentation there are a lot of barriers to health care for Latino women," said Daniel Hawkes, policy analyst for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. "The waiting period for lawful permanent residents is five years before they can receive insurance for reproductive health care unless their already privately insured.”
Hispanic women hold the highest uninsured rate than any other racial or ethnic group in the country. Over 20 percent of uninsured women live in poverty, according to National Latina Institute officials.
“A lot of politicians now are trying to cut Title X Family Planning programs which provide free and affordable health care options to Latino women,” Hawkes said.
The Title X programs of the Public Health Service Act promotes abstinence to low-income women, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“Cutting programs like Planned Parenthood makes it harder for Latino women who want and need reproductive health care,” Hawkes said.
Hispanic women also hold the highest rate of teen pregnancy than any other ethnic minority in the country, said National Campaign officials.
“Some states provide Medicaid for things like abortions and other reproductive health care, but most states do not,” Hawkes said.
North Carolina offers Medicaid to lawful residence which also includes reproductive health care for Hispanic women, according to the North Carolina Justice Center.
“Women without documentation who are not lawful residences do not receive health insurance at all because they aren’t eligible,” Hawkes said. “They have to wait until there is an emergency before they can be treated for free at the hospital.”
A medical study conducted by the U.S. National Library of Medicine from the National Institute of Health finds 40 percent of undocumented women less likely to visit the hospital for reproductive health care, according to NIH officials.
“If Latino women who are undocumented and don’t have insurance they can pay out of pocket,” said Dr. Lorraine Cummings from the Femcare Abortion Clinic. “Their citizenship doesn’t matter to us.”
The National Abortion Federation allows funding for abortions to Hispanic women without documentation, according to the NAF.
“NAF funding often cuts the price of abortions by 30 percent,” Cummings said. “Being undocumented doesn’t make a difference; we make sure women know their options before going through with the abortion procedure.”
Cummings works closely with Debra Wood, the CEO of the Asheville Pregnancy Support Services, in providing useful advice to women in need.
“Lorraine refers women to our services because she knows we are truthful and honest with our patients,” Wood said.
The Asheville Pregnancy Support Services provide free and confidential pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and maternity supplies for all women.
“Although we are a pro-life organization, we do not try to force our beliefs onto anyone,” Wood said. “We want women to know all the truth before making a decision, their citizenship is irrelevant.”
Cummings referenced Hispanic men to play a vital role in the choice of Hispanic women who choose what to do about an unplanned pregnancy.
“In my experience with Hispanic women, a lot of them fall through the cracks when using contraceptives,” Cummings said. “When I talk to some of these women they say their husbands will not allow them to use contraceptives because they are against their religion.”
Cummings suggests Planned Parenthood to her patients for free ultra sounds, pap smears and breast examinations. She also feels government funding for Title X Family Planning could diminish in the future.
“We do all we can, but the system just does not work in favor of Latino women who are undocumented,” Cummings said.
Public Affairs Journalism
April 19, 2011
After experiencing a time of suffering, Viola now hopes for a better future for her family.
Cynthia Yancey met Viola while visiting Honduras last weekend in an effort to provide international health care to immigrant women.
“She is a14-year-old girl from a small village in Honduras; she told me about her mother who left her at 2 years old to work in the United States,” said Dr. Cynthia Yancey, from the Buncombe County Health Department. “She also told me she suffered from a serious house fire and became pregnant when she was raped at an early age.”
Of Honduran adolescents, 4 percent become pregnant with their first child between the ages of 15 to 19 years old, according to the World Health Organization.
Yancey’s eyes watered as she stared blankly into her pale white office wall.
“People just don’t realize the complexities that occur in some immigrant families,” Yancey said. “These women go through a lot of emotional pain when leaving their loved ones behind and pregnancy only complicates that matter.”
Among Hispanic women in America, 52 percent of teens risk pregnancy at least once before the age of 20, according to a recent study by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
“Things change when Hispanic women come to the United States,” Yancey said. “They leave their children behind to work, which seems good for the family, but neglect of the children occurs because of it.”
Poverty and citizenship often prevents access to adequate health care options, especially during pregnancy, said officials from the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
“Often with or without documentation there are a lot of barriers to health care for Latino women," said Daniel Hawkes, policy analyst for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. "The waiting period for lawful permanent residents is five years before they can receive insurance for reproductive health care unless their already privately insured.”
Hispanic women hold the highest uninsured rate than any other racial or ethnic group in the country. Over 20 percent of uninsured women live in poverty, according to National Latina Institute officials.
“A lot of politicians now are trying to cut Title X Family Planning programs which provide free and affordable health care options to Latino women,” Hawkes said.
The Title X programs of the Public Health Service Act promotes abstinence to low-income women, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“Cutting programs like Planned Parenthood makes it harder for Latino women who want and need reproductive health care,” Hawkes said.
Hispanic women also hold the highest rate of teen pregnancy than any other ethnic minority in the country, said National Campaign officials.
“Some states provide Medicaid for things like abortions and other reproductive health care, but most states do not,” Hawkes said.
North Carolina offers Medicaid to lawful residence which also includes reproductive health care for Hispanic women, according to the North Carolina Justice Center.
“Women without documentation who are not lawful residences do not receive health insurance at all because they aren’t eligible,” Hawkes said. “They have to wait until there is an emergency before they can be treated for free at the hospital.”
A medical study conducted by the U.S. National Library of Medicine from the National Institute of Health finds 40 percent of undocumented women less likely to visit the hospital for reproductive health care, according to NIH officials.
“If Latino women who are undocumented and don’t have insurance they can pay out of pocket,” said Dr. Lorraine Cummings from the Femcare Abortion Clinic. “Their citizenship doesn’t matter to us.”
The National Abortion Federation allows funding for abortions to Hispanic women without documentation, according to the NAF.
“NAF funding often cuts the price of abortions by 30 percent,” Cummings said. “Being undocumented doesn’t make a difference; we make sure women know their options before going through with the abortion procedure.”
Cummings works closely with Debra Wood, the CEO of the Asheville Pregnancy Support Services, in providing useful advice to women in need.
“Lorraine refers women to our services because she knows we are truthful and honest with our patients,” Wood said.
The Asheville Pregnancy Support Services provide free and confidential pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and maternity supplies for all women.
“Although we are a pro-life organization, we do not try to force our beliefs onto anyone,” Wood said. “We want women to know all the truth before making a decision, their citizenship is irrelevant.”
Cummings referenced Hispanic men to play a vital role in the choice of Hispanic women who choose what to do about an unplanned pregnancy.
“In my experience with Hispanic women, a lot of them fall through the cracks when using contraceptives,” Cummings said. “When I talk to some of these women they say their husbands will not allow them to use contraceptives because they are against their religion.”
Cummings suggests Planned Parenthood to her patients for free ultra sounds, pap smears and breast examinations. She also feels government funding for Title X Family Planning could diminish in the future.
“We do all we can, but the system just does not work in favor of Latino women who are undocumented,” Cummings said.