HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 10051993 - S.6 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, Contra
FROM: Supervisor Jeff Smith `
Costa
r.•.4
October S, 1993 `«' Count
GATE:
j�*i�rF
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION OPPOSING ANTI_IMMIdRATION PROPOSALS AND SUPPORTING
THE INCLUSIVE PROCESS
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)A BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
To adopt attached resolution opposing anti-immigration proposals and
supporting inclusive process .
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION AND BACKGROUND:
During this past year the Governor and some legislators have proposed
severe restrictions on immigration suggesting that we cannot afford
to sustain the same level of immigration that we currently have.
All the evidence shows , However , that immigrants in our society are
more of an asset than a liability . !
I
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF SOAR COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(SI• -
ACTION OF BOARD ON October 5 1993 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER X
The Board ADOPTED an amended resolution, No. 93/651, in opposition to Anti-Immigrant Proposals,
and ESTABLISHING a Newcomer Task Force to study the need and contributions of immigrants, the
effects of immigration on Contra Costa County and to recommend positive policies for the greater
health, safety, and welfare of all residents of Contra Costa County; and REFERRED the issue to
the Internal Operations Committee for further amplification of the Board's position and to define
the duties and charges for the Task Force, and to coordinate with the Center for New Americans.
(Greg Kepferle, Catholic Charities of the East Bay; Sr. Elizabeth Lane, Catholic Charities;
Paul Katz, Local 1; David M. Chavez, Coalition for Human Rights, S.F. ; Andres Soto, Richmond;
State Assemblyman Bob Campbell, Martinez; and Maria L. Alegria, Coalition for Human Rights,
spoke in favor of the Board adopting the proposed resolution.)
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS(ABSENT - AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: ITT, TV and V NOES: IT AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: I ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
CC: Supv. Jeff Smith: attn Nancy ATTESTED OrtnhPr 5, 199'
Maria Alegria and Gregory Kepferle PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
via Supv. Smith s office SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Administration
Q -,DEPUTY
BY
S . 6
THE BOARD OF SUPERV= SORB
OF
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY , CAL=FORMA
RESOLUTION NO. 93/651
IN OPPOSITION TO
ANTI-IMMIGRANT PROPOSALS
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County has always been an ethnically diverse
county, including the contributions of a rich mosaic of immigrant
communities; and
WHEREAS, during these difficult economic times immigrants, ethnic
minorities and poor families and children have become scapegoats
for the State's financial problems; and
WHEREAS, the cultural diversity of Contra Costa County and the
State of California have contributed greatly to the strength of our
society;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF
CONTRA COSTA RESOLVED, that the Board abhors and rejects immigrant
bashing, racism, and scapegoating which are targeted at immigrants
and ethnic minorities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Contra Costa County Board of
Supervisors hereby establishes a Newcomer Task Force to study the
need and contributions of immigrants, the effects of immigration on
Contra Costa County, and to recommend positive policies for the
greater health, safety, and welfare of all residents of Contra
Costa County.
Witness my hand and the Seal of
the Board of Supervisors
affixed this 5th day of
October, 1993 .
PHIL BATCHELOR, Clerk of the
Board of Supervisors and County
Administrator
By
Depuyl C rk
RESOLUTION NO. 93/651
- ' •� � ` . � � `. \, •_ ' RECEIVED •
\ \
ERK BdARD C�?VIS
oF'SU ORS
CLf
IN- CELEBRATION OF �-�1.1"E�T�tiNIC AND FIACIAL
Board of Directors D I'V ESR S I T Y
Jose Lopez r /
Chairman
`A RESOLUTION. . ,,OF.: UNITED COUNCIL OF== SPANIS_Hs.=
. DrindaBrennan. SPEAKING ORGANIZATIONS, ZINC.
Vice Chairman.
_ I C . is
Ruben Rosalez :.
Treasurer
•WHEREAS,:-'the. .Unitbd States of_ America was .`founded`: as an,
immigrant nation and has' a .long `standing ideal and tradition; of
Alicia Reardon : welcoA.
ming 'peoplefrom . other nations; -and
Alfonso:'Vega%. i.. .
J .
Julio-Martinez I. .;' :` ,
Lucinda-Morales "WHEREAS; the 'initiative and, drive . of. . the..' immigrant seeking. a ` . '.
'Luciano T.Tekz
Nlartha.Sancedo better' way : of life helps build , -our cgmmunities .and.._.contr.ibutes
Richard
''J:..Martinez=- _ . . •
to the—common good;_
and; ,
Stephanie Bell' �.
_Skip,Solorzano
Richard S.L'ujan
WHEREAS,.-. during Cth,ese,..'•difficult . economic °times;. .refugees;
Executive President Immigrants; ethnic',. minorities and, poor ` families have become
IV
scapegoats "for:- the nation's; -financial problems.; and. ,
V
:WHEREAS,. `,. e.xtens]v'e- state and: national research
demonstrates' `that, immigrants _are a , powerful benefit ,to the
;: economy,; as well as._ contributing, more' 'in :taxes. ,than ` using; in;
.; public . 'services, : and-" that, while .' undocumented immigrants, ;: r`
;cannot 'receive ,w_elfare., benefits, social security; supplemental
social , security. income .\or unemployment compensation,-' they: do
federal ` income, tax state:. income tax, and ;taxes i"nto the .
.pay,
social. security ,and, unemployment ,funds; and
:WHEREAS, ; ,'the. rights _of migrants and "refugees , is the central
0, ,,' message in UCSSO%s mission statement;:: the individual: person ..
% and -the .promotion-. and,. protection of 'human .dignity; ;the .state,
' -
(.-.as a` human ..institution,, must ;serve `,the _J!um.an:' person'; not vice
versa; and
'.WHEREAS, political , .and economic nights'., `are' seen.. as a) '
singular`,• expression : 'of the' ;:ful.fiIImen:t of . huma'n`s :dignity;
consequently,.; --there 'is. no simple distinction' between,)political' ,
Y : and. economic refugees; .and,
1�.
. ' I , .. ' 1, '. _ \. .../• f /i .. .. , l .. � ,
:Administrative Offices
837 Arnold-Dr..' IVlartinez California 194553
:.' _
' 510 229:22 T 0 * FAX 510) 229- 309 «'ay Ae„c
RECEf!/E®
5'.199
CLERK.BOARD OF SUPERVISORS �.
CONTRA COSTA CO. I'
" WHEREAS,. UCSSO, `,Inc.. has been in the forefrod'-:of ,'advocating
Board of Directors
Jose Lopez' for -and: providing, ,the - means' necessary, : for a. truly, human, ..life;
,Chairman ' -
;.::includ ng adequate � food; she'lter,' education-.' and .health ;care; and
Drinda Brennanc
` Vice'Chairman'. . : W H E R E Aput,' J.
S. _.8 put ' of, 10 immigrants. .who enter the ; ,-United
Ruben Rosalez., �. i .
Treasurer States ;each'. .year enter, legally; :.of : which 75 percent are4
- admitted to.,-,be :reunited: wi`th` 'clo:se. family members, a policy of `.
Alex Ozuna,
Alicia Real `;fAmily'.-integrity which. UCSSQ,. Iric: 'isupports,;,.:and
( -Alfonso Vega
Julio:Martinez
Morales` '' WHEREAS, ; of„ ttie .°17 ; ,rnilllion, .political-
Lucinda' refugees , worldw`id:e
Luciano,T. Perez
Suffer..ing ' the.. throes 'of dislocation and-,--political '.persecution,
Martha Saucedo ,
�Richaid.J:Martinez less- than :1` -percent . are admitt.e' to. the, ..United : States 'and ;that
Stephanie Bell.,\.
"Skip Solorzano UCSS0,•. Inc!• supports. 'the-", right of. the.' `le:gitimately! persecuted
to, seek a. safe. .haven. in our, country;
-Richard S.Lujan; _
Executive President
/
THEREFORE; : BE• IT RESOLVED that-,'the members of.: UCSSO
..
Inc. : do` 'hereby` reject imprudent; ',discr.iminatory; and,,, punitive
policies and proposals .that deny basic: human•.-rights and!,. human,_ :.
` dignity; ,that :prohibit citizenship to .`'children born, `in `thie ,:;United
- .Sfates; :that ;restr.ict thea: right "of, asylum' appeal; That ;requireja ,. -�
I ,
national . id'entity card; and that .prohibit.,.access to , ,necessary
health care ;:and;`` education ' .currently, .required,, by .:law. .'for the
common 'good; and
BE IT .;FURTHER RESOLVED; that the :member' of., UCSSO, Inc...
�. I A, ,-
reaffirrn,,.. the rights,.-of families '.and individuals �to . migrate for
:Al � �,. i _ , �... ,..,
better :e:conomic,. political'; and.. social conditions; the.. right' to
--political. ` asylum the';' right ,to :family` 'reunification;: the' .right' to
safe',.and,. jest .working.,%conditions; ,.the right ,;:to public. ed•uc_ation;
-
for- children;: and, the..right to _access to." h'ealth` care. for all.;
BE-1T FURTHER RESOLVED; that' 'UCSSO;: 'I.nc. ,recog n izes. .'that
the:._only; long=term,' viable :solution to the " ,international refugee
crisis: iarrd :to. illegal .immigrat'ion is to. -promote . genuine
•
i ;authen;tic. democracy and developmenf in ;` the., world's countries
and. to eliminate , conditions. driving these immigrants:..out;. of
their homelands;; acid -
--
Ad min istrative Offices''
837 Arnold Dr.'` Martiiiez, California,94553.:
�i A tinned
(5 10):229-2210 • FAX (510)_229;0309.` , '' Way Ageney '
' RECEIVED
OCT
CLERK BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
CONTRA COSTA CO.
A-6 A9ondav, 17, 1995 it �,A N N
EA,%ffperts say statc^ shuuld
0 0 ot winmo , ants
inve.st in i s inamft,04ig"*%
become more competitive in a their predecessors, and many hold
Rather than fighting global economy — and the educe- several part-time jobs to make
tion of immigrants should be a con- ends meet.
multiculturalism, scious part of that so they can Julia Koppich, deputy director
prepare to move into higher-pay- of Policy Analysis for California
society could be ing, higher-tech jobs,for their own Education, a UC-Berkeley and
sakes as well as for the rest of Stanford project, says California
using newcomers society,experts say. has trouble viewing newcomers as
to mutual benefit a resource.
'Immigrants aren't going to leave'
By Susan Ferriss Abel Valenzuela, a Massachu- 'Enraged debates'
OF THE EXAMINER STAFF setts Institute of Technology- "Imagine if we took folks who
trained urban planner, says: "Im- were native Spanish speakers and
The most comprehensive U.S. migrants aren't going to leave. We put them in support positions in
Census study ever on America's can attempt to lessen the flow.But language classes (for American-
immigrants confirms conventional what are we going to do with the born students),"she says."Instead,
wisdom:Most immigrants who ar- immigrants here? If we don't start we have these enraged debates over
rived during the 1980s were Latin training them and investing in whether kids should speak more
Americans, poorly educated with them,what's it going to mean 10 to than one language."
limited English,yet willing to work 15 years from now when people like In Denmark, she says, students
hard in undesirable jobs. you and me will retire and need must speak another language to
California, home to 23 percent Social Security?" even get into college.
of the nation's immigrants, should ' Turn-of-the-century European If California were more serious
use the census as a guide to shape immigrants, many of them illiter- about having its students learn sec-
immigrant-friendly policies that ate or unskilled,were funneled into and languages, Koppich suggests,
will prepare the state for the 21st the type of manufacturing jobs immigrants could serve as tutors.
–_.,century,social analysts say. that no longer exist in the United Koppich says it isn't helpful to
The state needs to upgrade the States, Valenzuela said. Today's be "Pollyannaish" about immi-
skills of its entire work force to- - immigrants are paid even less than grants and deny the challenges-
r
I
I
F\ANIINIuh
i � 1
The number of recent u;uniamnls to the Unitad States,compared with the number of immicumits of longer residence
Immigrants Immigrants
Total No.of between Total No.of between
Birthplace immigrants 1987-90 Pct. Birthplace immigrants 1987-90 Pct.
i
Japan 290,128 102.754 35.4 Mexico 4,298,014 803,730 18.7
Nicaragua 168.659 55,412 32.8 France 119,233 18,583 15.6
Soviet Union 333,725 93.156 27.9 Vietnam 543,262 84,676 15.6
Guatemala 225,739 54,934 24.3 Philippines 912,674 141,806 15.5
EI Salvador 465,433 98,497 21.2 Colombia 286,124 43,014 15.0
China 529,837 110,123 20.8 Cambodia 118,833 11,843 10.0
Africa 363,819 74,701 20.5 U.K. 640,175 61,045 9.5
Laos 171,577 34,978 20.4 Ireland 169,827 16,023 9.4
India 450,406 88,179 19.6 Germany 711,929 38,958 5.5
Korea 568,397 109,607 19.3 All 19,767,316 3,136,930 15.9
I
SOURCE:1990 U.S.Census �
i
I �
teachers face instructing the child- cuts.More than 25,000 adults take immediate family members to le-
ren of poor Latin Americans and these classes in San Francisco. gally join relatives who had re-
Southeast Asians, "The investment we make is ceived amnesty in 1987.
Nonetheless, she says,the state paid for in the students being able "This is not the undocumented
is not doing enough to prepare im. to open their own businesses,"said we're talking about here," Walker
migrants for the future. Nina Gibson, chairwoman of the said. "California is a multiculture.
college's ESL Department. ,, Until we learn how to realize i
Turned away from English classes "They're paying taxes now, but at the potential of this strength,it will
At San Francisco City College, low-paying jobs." be regarded as a problem."
for example, an average of 6,000 Between 1987 and 1990, more
people per semester are turned than 800,000 Mexicans entered the
away from English as a Second United States - the largest num-
Language classes because of budget be of any immigrant group. The Biological survey
migration followed more than 1.3
' - office to be set up
million Mexicans who immigrated
between 1980 and 1987, according
to a Census Bureau study on for- DALLAS MORNINQNEWS
eign-barn population released last DALLAS - The federal gov-
week. ernment is about to set up an office
According to the census, only to detect environmental problems
about.26 percent of Mexican immi before they become massive policy
grants who entered during the late headaches.
RECEI�E�GOv�� 1980s had a high school education
VED or more. About 84 percent said The National Biological Survey,
they could not speak English well. as the office will be called,will hire
OCT 51993 'Their average age was 21. scientists to research diversity and
Professor Wendy Walker, of ecosystems and to identify species
UC-Berkeley's School of Social before they are endangered.In t.he-
CLERK BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Welfare, says the influx of Mexi- ory, it. will be modeled after the
CONTRA COSTA CO. cans between 1987 to 1990 was U.S. geological Survey, one of
I>robably a result of the family-uni- eight hureaiis under tim Depart:
ficatitm program, which allowed ment of the Interior.
SG
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
.......... °- Contra
FROM: Supervisor Jeff Smith
�'�
Costa<
County
DATE:
October 5 , 1993
'�•coi•Ft'
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION OPPOSING ANTI-IMMIGRATION PROPOSALS AND SUPPORTING
THE INCLUSIVE PROCESS
SPECIFIC REOUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
To adopt attached resolution opposing anti-immigration proposals and
supporting inclusive process .
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION AND BACKGROUND:
During this past year the Governor and some legislators have proposed
severe restrictions on immigration suggesting that we cannot afford
to sustain the same level of immigration that we currently have.
All the evidence shows , however , that immigrants in our society are
more of an asset than a liability . '
/m CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOAR COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS(ABSENT AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
CC: Supv. Jeff Smith: attn Nancy ATTESTED
Maria Alegria and Gregory Kepferle PHIL BATCHELOR.CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
via Supv. Smith' s office SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Administration
BY DEPUTY
M3R7 iin/RAI
wss. i
let%& 91" 0/ wa#vm4z
IN , RECOGNITION OF OPPOSING ] RESOLUTION NUMBER
ANTI-IMMIGRANT PROPOSALS/ ]
SUPPORTING INCLUSIVE PROCESSES]
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County has always been an ethnically diverse
county, including the contributions of a rich mosaic of Immigrant
communities; and
WHEREAS, during these difficult economic times , immigrants, ethnic
minorities and poor families and children have become scapegoats
for the state ' s financial problems; and
WHEREAS, extensive state and national research demonstrate that
immigrants are a powerful benefit to the economy, as well as
contributing more in taxes than using in public services; and
WHEREAS, border control and immigration enforcement are being used
at times against documented and undocumented entrants in an unjust
manner, while denying the right to appeal asylum violates the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and
WHEREAS, denying children of undocumented immigrants citizenship,
health care, education, and social service violates fundamental
Constitutional and civil laws and principles, and would create
greater health and safety burdens for residents of Contra Costa
County; and
WHEREAS, requiring a national identification card will encourage
discrimination against residents on the basis of name, language,
ethnicity, and color, creating a permanent underclass; and
WHEREAS, effective immigration policies must address the issue of
economic development of countries; of origin as well as effective
enforcement of labor laws in the � nited States;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Contra Costa County Board
of Supervisors does hereby rejec punitive policies and proposals
that prohibit citizenship to chN:dren born in the United States;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Contra Costa County Board of
Supervisors rejects imprudent policies and proposals to prohibit
access to necessary health care and education currently required by
law for the public health and welfare of residents of Contra Costa
County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Contra Costa County Board of
Supervisors rejects the proposed national identity card as
discriminatory and placing an undue burden on county staff to
operate as de facto agents of the Immigration and Naturalization
Service; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Contra Costa County Board of
Supervisors rejects proposals restricting the right of asylum
appeal; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Contra Costa County Board of
Supervisors opposes the pending bills in the California Legislature
that would further restrict the rights of immigrants and refugees
residing in California, and directs its State Lobbyist to actively
oppose these proposals; and
u
i r f
11R, MR
{
The numDtLe-,,f recer,;,;ua; rang the Uniled States.co(N),11 d wi;rt the number of imm,rants of lonciyr
Immigrants Immigrants
Total No.of between Total No.of between
Birthplace Immigrants 1987-90 Pct. Birthplace immigrants 1987-90 Pct.
J,-.pan 290,,'.28 102,754 35.4 Mexico 4,295.014 803,730 18.7
Ncaragua 165.659 55,412 32.8 France 119,233 18,553 15.6
Soviet Union 333.725 93.156 27.9 Vietnam 53.262 8.1,676 15.6
- - i
Guatemala 225,739 54.934 243 Philippines 912,674 141,806 15.5 j
l El Salvador 465.33 98,497 21.2 Colombia 286,124 43,014 15.0
China 529,837 110,123 20-8 Cambodia 118,833 11,843 10.0
Africa 363,819 74,701 20.5 U.K. 640,175 61,045 9.5
Laos 171,577 34,978 20.4 ire"and 169,827 16,023 9.4
l
India 450,406 88,179 19.6 Germany 711,929 38.958 5.5
Korea 568,397 109,607 19.3 All 19,767,316 3,136,930 15.9
SOURCF 19'3.1 urs.Census
teachers face instructing the child- cuts. More than 25,000 adults take immediate family members to le-
ren of poor Latin Americans-and. these classes in San Francisco. gally join relatives who had re-
Southeast Asians. "The investment we make is ceived amnesty in 1987.
Nonetheless,she says,the state paid for in the students being able "This is not the undocumented
is not,doing enough to prepare im- to open their own businesses,"said we're talking about here," Walker
migrants for the future, Nina Gibson. chairwoman of the said. "California is a multiculture.
college's S"I Department. ,, Until we learn how to realize
Turned away from English classes "They're paying taxes now, but at the potential of this strength,it will
At. San Francisco City College, low-paying jobs." be regarded as a problem."
for example, an average of 6,000 Between 1937 and 1990, more
people per semester are turned than 800,000 Mexicans entered the
away from English as a S;,cond United States - the largest num-
Language classes because of budget ber of any immigrant group. The ����� � � survey
followed more than 1.3
'�- million Mexicans who immigrated office t® be Set up
between 1980 and 1.9187, according
to a Census Bureau study on for- DALLAS MORN o NEWS
eign-born population released last DALLAS - The federal gov-
week. ernment is about to set up an office
According to the census, only to detect environmental problems
about.26 percent of Mexican immi- before they become massive policy
grants who entered during the late headaches.
1980s had a high school education
or more. About 84 percent said The National Etiological Survey,
they could not speak English well, as t.lre office will I)c called,will Dire
Their average age was 21. scientimts to research diversity and
Professor Wendy Walker, of ecosystems and to identify species
UC-Berkeley's School of Social before they are endangered.In tlre-
Welfare, sa}'s the influx of Mexi- ors, it. will be modeled after the
cans between 1987 to 1990 was U.S. Geological Survey, one of
probably a result of the furnily-uni- 6,01t burem"k i I(er Ow Depart:
ficat.ion program, which allowed anent of the Interior.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Contra Costa County Board of
Supervisors does establish a Newcomer Task Force to study the need
and contributions of immigrants, I; the effects of immigration on
Contra Costa County, and to reco�mend positive policies for the
greater health, safety, and welfare of all residents of Contra
Costa County.
INTRODUCED BY:
JEFF SMITH
Supervisor, District II
Witness my hand and the seal of
the Board of Supervisors affixed
this 5th day of October, 1993.
Phil Batchelor, Clerk of the
Board of Supervisors and
County Administrator.
By
Deputy Clerk
1\eNv Call f of Illa Co . 1t 1011
NCC New Immigrant Fact Sheet I i
Contrary to the popular opinion that new immigrants have a negative
impact on the economy, here are some facts about the contributions that
new immigrants make to their new home:
Los Angeles' immigrants pay Substantial federal, state, and local taxes - a total of
$4.2 billion in 1992. (Source: "L.A.'s immigrants: Today's 'problem,' tomorrow's answer" by Richard
Rothstein, Economic Policy Institute)
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (1985), immigrants come here to
work, not to go on welfare, and use SUBSTANTIALLY LESS services than people
born in the U.S..
® Immigrants make up 22 percent of California's population but are only 12% of the
population receiving AFDC. (Source: California State Department of Finance 1991-92)
Immigrants, over their lifetime, pay $15,000 to $20,000 more in taxes than they
receive in government benefits. (Source: Julian Simon, The Economic Consequences of
Immigration, University of Maryland, 1989.) ..
Approximately 11 million immigrants are working, earning $240 billion a year, and
pay more than $90 billion in taxes...outweighing by far the $5 billion that
immigrants receive in welfare. (Source: Business Week, July 13, 1992)
Many of the United States' new businesses are started by new immigrants.
Between 1982 and 1987, Hispanic busim3 ces grew 81% and Asian American
businesses grew 89%. In 1987, Californi-{'s Vietnamese Americans operated
11,855 firms and produced $665 million in revenue.
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau)
® Latino males are more likely to have jobs or to seek work than other Americans, yet
employed Latinos are more likely to be among the nation's working poor.
(Source: "State of Hispanic America", National Council of La Raza)
® Although undocumented immigrants are ineligible for almost all public benefits,
including unemployment and social security, they are required to pay into these
programs through taxes and payroll deductions.
® John D. Kasarda, a sociologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
states: "there is substantial evidence that immigrants are a powerful benefit to the
economy, and very little e:Vidence that they are negative." (Source: Business Week, July
13, 1992)
Business Week (July 13, 1992) reports: "They [immigrants] are invigorating the
cities and older suburbs by setting up businesses, buying homes, paying taxes,
and shopping at the corner grocery store."
l
According to the U.S. Council of E-conomic Advisors, in the 1990 report to the
President, numerous studies suggest that the long run benefits of immigration
greatly exceed any short run cots. The unskilled jobs taken by immigrants
compliment the skilled jobs filled by U.S. born workers, which increases
employment and income for the population as a whole.
(Source: Alexis De Toqueville Institution, Stanford, CA, 1990)
Recently, many anti-immigrant groups have cited the Rea & Parker report
on immigration to discount the benefits of California's new immigrants.
However, there are serious flaws in the report that deserve to be noted:
Wayne Cornelius, the director of UC San Diego's U.S.-Mexican Studies Center
and who has studied the effects of Mexican immigration for the past 12 years
criticized the report for using inaccurate Border Patrol and INS estimates as the
basis of the report. Cornelius states that the use of these statistics as a basis
can easily skew the report from the start.
Even the State Department of Finance's estimate of 49,000 undocumented
aliens living in San Diego undermines the validity of the report's exaggerated
estimate of 200,000 resident undocumented aliens.
The report fails to include the beneficial economic impact of immigrant
populations through the multiplier effect. - — - -
Anti-immigrant organizations have erroneously implied that the report, which
was limited solely to San Diego, applies statewide.
Conclusions:
The findings in the Rea & Parker report, based on limited sources. and
unverifiable data, is contradicted by numerous sources ranging from the State
Department of Finance to Business Week magazine.
Any effort to blame immigrants for the State's budget problems diverts valuable
time and efforts away from addressing the true causes of California's economic
problems.
Any legislation that attacks the immigrant population undercuts federal
jurisdiction and needlessly jeopardizes the rights and safety of visible ethnic
minorities by encouraging crimes of hate against ethnic minority communities.
Overall, immigrants (docurnented and undocumented) contribute<far
more to the economy than they take out.
A-6 Nlmid.,�. 27, 1995 A N 1 1,A N
LXperts say z&,;taFhte s4hould
invest in nits immigrants
become more competitive in a their predecessors, and many hold
Father than fighting global economy — and the educa- several part-time jobs to make
tion of immigrants should be a con- ends meet.
multiculturalism, scious part of that so they can Julia Koppich, deputy director
prepare to move into higher-pay- of Policy Analysis for California
society could be ing, higher-tech jobs,for their 0,Am Education, a UC-Berkeley and
sakes as well as for the rest of Stanford project, says California
using newcomers society,experts say. has trouble viewing newcomers as
to mutual benefit a resource.
'immigrants aren't going to leave'
By Susan Ferrigs Abel Valenzuela, a Massachu- 'Enraged debates'
OF THE EXAMINER STAFF setts Institute of Technology- "Imagine if we took folks who
trained urban planner, says: "Im- were native Spanish speakers and
The most comprehensive U.S. migrants aren't going to leave. We put them in support positions in
Census-stud y ever on...A-m.er.i..c-a's can-attempt to lessen the flow.But-_ language classes (for American-
immigrants confirms conventional what are we going to do with the born students),"she says."Instead,
wisdom:Most immigrants who ar- immigrants here? If we don't start we have these enraged debates over
rived during the 1980s were Latin training them and investing in whether kids should speak more
Americans, poorly educated with them,what's it going to mean 10 to than one language."
limited English,yet willing to work 15 years from now when people like In Denmark, she says, students
hard in undesirable jobs. you and me will retire and need must speak another language to
California, home to 23 percent Social Security?" even get into college.
of the nation's immigrants, should ' Turn-of-the-century European If California were more serious
use the census as a guide to shape immigrants, many of them illiter- about having its students learn sec-
immigrant-friendly
ec-
immigrant-friendly policies that ate or unskilled,were funneled into and languages, Koppich suggests,
will prepare the state for the 21st the type of manufacturing jobs immigrants could serve as tutors.
century,social analysts Bay. that. no longer exist in the United Koppich says it isn't helpful to
The state needs to upgrade the States, Valenzuela said. Today's be "Pollyannal;sh" about immi-
skills of its entire work force to - immigrants are paid even less than grants and deny the challenges--I