Center for Citizenship and Immigrant Communities
Facts for Documented and Undocumented Workers Helping to Clean-up and Rebuild the Gulf Coast Region
IMMIGRANT WORKERS’ RIGHTS
All workers, including documented and undocumented immigrant workers, are protected by many U.S. employment and labor laws. Rights that may apply to workers depending upon the circumstances include:
Right to be paid. In most instances, workers have the right to be paid minimum wage ($5.15 an hour) and to receive overtime pay for work over 40 hours a week. If workers do not receive all of the wages for the time they actually worked, they can take action to recover those wages.
Office of Immigration Statistics: Yearbook of Immigration Statistics
Office of Immigration Statistics: Yearbook of Immigration Statistics (External link)
Each year, the Office of Immigration Statistics within the Department of Homeland Security publishes a report on the number of immigrants in the United States.
Click here to read the 2008 report.
Lobbying Rules for Public Charities
March 24, 2008
CLINIC webinar for refugee service providers on lobbying rules for public charities. The training covered the legal definitions of lobbying and advocacy, lobbying limits for 501(c)(3) public charities, and lobbying exceptions. This training is offered through CLINIC’s project, “Technical Assistance to Promote Refugee Citizenship & Civic Participation,” which is funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
Strategies for Naturalizing the Most Vulnerable Applicants
Refugees and immigrants strongly desire U.S. citizenship. Yet, many of them, especially those who are elderly, disabled, low-income, low-literate, and limited English proficient, face serious challenges in the naturalization process. These challenges can impede their integration and their civic participation in U.S. society.
The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants
The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants (External link)
Written by CLINIC and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center under a generous grant from the California Endowment, the manual is a comprehensive guide for legal advocates working with immigrant survivors of domestic abuse and crime.
Immigration Services in Times of Emergency: Lessons Learned from September 11
Immigrant communities have historically been targeted for intense scrutiny during times of crisis. Among the better-known examples are the “Red Scares” of the early 20th century and internment of Japanese immigrants (as well as naturalized citizens) during World War II.2 Each recent emergency – from September 11 to the current program of DHS raids – has had distinctive elements. Certain strands of effective emergency response run through them, however. Persons hoping to respond to today’s emergencies have much to learn from what has worked well for others.
Differing Interpretations: The Prohibition of Transporting Illegal Immigrants
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) prohibits individuals from transporting illegal immigrants in the United States. Under the law, it is an offense for any person who “knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that an alien has come to, entered, or remains in the United States in violation of law, transports, or moves or attempts to transport or move such alien within the United States by means of transportation or otherwise, in furtherance of such violation of law.
Resources for New Immigrants: Welcome to the United States
Resources for New Immigrants: Welcome to the United States (External link)
By USCIS
This publication Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants, offers a comprehensive guide containing practical information to help immigrants settle into everyday life in the United States, as well as basic civics information that introduces new immigrants to the U.S. system of government.
Strengthening America: The Civic and Political Integration of Muslim Americans
Strengthening America: The Civic and Political Integration of Muslim Americans (External link)
Report of the Task Force on Muslim-American civic and political engagement.
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Farooq Kathwari and Lynn M. Martin, Cochairs
Christopher B. Whitney, Project Director
Growing Share of Immigrants Choosing Naturalization
Growing Share of Immigrants Choosing Naturalization (External link)
Executive Summary The proportion of all legal foreign-born residents who have become naturalized U.S. citizens rose to 52% in 2005, the highest level in a quarter of a century and 15 percentage point increase since 1990, according to an analysis by the Pew Hispanic Center. The population of naturalized citizens reached 12.8 million in 2005, a historic high that reflects both a rise in the number of legal migrants and an increased likelihood that those who are eligible apply for citizenship.
