Understanding Legal Issues of New Populations

1. Understanding Legal Issues of New Populations Introduction Harriett A. Paul Florida A&M University

2. Module 5 Module 5 is designed for the Extension Educator working in communities with new immigrant populations.

3. Introduction The Introduction provides demographics on new immigrant groups in the U.S.: • Their Countries of Origin; • Their Socio-economic History; and • Where They Are Settling in the U.S.

4. MAJOR IMMIGRANT GROUPS BY REGION OF ORIGIN 1820-2002 • Europe 38,816,282 • The Americas 18,506,482 • Asia 9,479,289 • Africa 795,428 • Oceania 274,256

5. Immigration Levels in the 20th Century

6. Immigration Trends of the Past 80 Years

7. Mexico India China Philippines Vietnam El Salvador Cuba Bosnia-Herzegovina Dominican Republic Ukraine TOP TEN IMMIGRANT GROUPS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN2002

10. Selected Demographic Characteristics FY 2002 Admissions • Total Admissions 2002 - 1,063,732 • Gender: • Male - 485,596 • Female - 577,868 • Unknown - 268

11. Selected Demographics2002 • Age: • Under 16 Years 186,328 • 16-20 Years 102,479 • 21 Years and Over 774,716 • Unknown 209

12. Selected Demographics2002 • Marital Status: • Single 375,451 • Married 644,892 • Widowed 23,751 • Divorced/Separated 16,091 • Unknown 3,547

13. Selected Demographics2002 • Occupation: • Executive & Managerial 29,277 • Professional & Technical 79,370 • Sales 14,869 • Administrative Support 12,838 • Farming, Forestry, Fisheries 9,028 • Laborers, Fabricators 35,638 • Precision Prod, Craft, Repair 13,206 • Service 33,948

14. Selected Demographics2002 • Occupation (continued): • No Occupation/not working • Outside home 414,593 • Homemakers 113,725 • Students or Children 254,821 • Retirees 3,585 • Unemployed 42,462 • Unknown 420,965

15. Where Are the New Populations Settling In the U.S.? The Following Data Provides the Top Ten States and Metropolitan Areas Selected By Immigrants As Their Preferred Place of Residence from 2000-02.

18. What Is the Potential Social Service Impact on these Communities? • Health Issues and Costs • Educational Services • Training Needs – Employees & Employers; Life-skills • Language Barriers • The Need for & Access To Public Assistance • Obtaining Licenses/Operating a Motor Vehicle, etc.

19. How Organized & Knowledgeable Is Your Community? • Are There Community Support Groups Actively Working with New Immigrants In Your Community? • Do They Work In Rural Areas? • What Services Do They Provide?

20. Support From Public Policy & Elected Officials • Does Your Local Public Policy Promote Multiculturalism & Community Unity? • Are Your Public Officials Involved In Issues Affecting All Groups In the Community?

21. Support From Public Policy & Elected Officials Does Your Community Sponsor Events with Multicultural Themes, e.g., Parades, Picnics, Fundraisers for Special Projects, Health Seminars In A Second Language, etc.?

22. How Prepared Is Your Business Community? Are Potential Employers Aware of the Work Habits and Customs that May Affect the Work Performance of the New Immigrants?

23. How Can the Extension Educator May A Difference? Improve Your Knowledge & Understanding of the New Population, e.g., • Culture-Customs • Work Habits-Ethics • Major Health Issues Common to the Group • Socio-economic History, Need for Life-skills Training & Public Benefits.

24. The Extension Educator Can Be An Effective Agent Of Change • Be Proactive: Meet With Business & Public Service Groups to Begin to Match Needs With Services. • Talk With Business Groups and Potential Employers About Technical, Vocational, Agricultural and Other Skills that May Exist In the Community of New Immigrants. • Organize Short Employer Training Activities to Assist the Employer In Creating A Positive Work Environment.