Fact: As of the 1996 Welfare Reform Bill, "Legal immigrants are barred from all federal means-tested public benefits for five years after entering the country and barred from SSI and food stamps until citizenship. They are also barred from all federal means-tested public benefits for five years. Benefits available to immigrants include school lunch and breakfast programs, immunizations, emergency medical services, disaster relief, and others programs that are necessary to protect life and safety as identified by the attorney general, regardless of immigration status. Illegal immigrants are barred from the following federal public benefits: grants, contracts, loans, licenses, retirement, welfare, health, disability, public or assisted housing, post secondary education, food assistance, and unemployment benefits. States are barred from providing state or locally funded benefits to illegal immigrants unless a state law is enacted granting such authority."
I guess welfare can't be used as an excuse to want illegal immigrants out of the United States. It can be used as an excuse to want legal immigrants out, though.
miércoles, 28 de abril de 2010
Do all Americans have Civil Rights?
It seems like everywhere I look immigration and race are the topic of choice; whether I'm turning on the television, checking my Facebook or sitting down to have dinner. The passage of the SB1070 bill in the state of Arizona put the focus on these issues. The problem seems to be the method in which they'll "crackdown" on illegal immigrants. When the bill goes into effect authorities will be allowed to "demand proof of legal entry" to anyone they suspect is in the country illegally. How will they effectively identify such suspects? The answer is pretty obvious: racial profiling.
Imagine the following: Put aside the fact that it is now legal to profile someone based on the color of their skin. Forget that there are legal immigrants and residents in the Unites States that look like illegal immigrants. And for a second lets all believe that illegal immigrants are here to destroy the United States of America. But we forgot something: There are Americans, born and raised, who look like illegal immigrants. And there are plenty of Americans that sound like illegal immigrants. What about them? Is it right that these Americans will now be stopped, questioned and possibly detained because of the color of their skin and the sound of their voices?
This is a civil rights issue as much as it is an immigration issue. As citizens of the United States of America we should be outraged that a state in our country has taken action to take away our liberties. Not even a decade ago we allowed our leaders to use our fear of another terrorist attack to take our rights away. Does the Patriot Act ring a bell? A half century ago Americans were living in segregation. Weren't people of a certain skin color forced to ride in the back of buses? Isn't there a whole month dedicated to remembering this? How is it possible that the country that describes itself as a "Melting Pot," "a country of immigrants," and "a country of hope and opportunity" is presently allowing the passage of a bill that strips its core away? Isn't it our responsibility, as Americans, to make sure this doesn't happen again? I feel like I woke up in another time, another place.
But I am not a pessimist. I know this country is full of educated, informed people that know their history, respect the Constitution and advocate the humane treatment of others. It is time for the educated and informed to come together and change this. Lets use the attention the world has on us now to not just revoke SB1070 but bring to light other issues that need to change. Don't forget you have the power to change things. You take that power everytime you vote and every time you shop.
Imagine the following: Put aside the fact that it is now legal to profile someone based on the color of their skin. Forget that there are legal immigrants and residents in the Unites States that look like illegal immigrants. And for a second lets all believe that illegal immigrants are here to destroy the United States of America. But we forgot something: There are Americans, born and raised, who look like illegal immigrants. And there are plenty of Americans that sound like illegal immigrants. What about them? Is it right that these Americans will now be stopped, questioned and possibly detained because of the color of their skin and the sound of their voices?
This is a civil rights issue as much as it is an immigration issue. As citizens of the United States of America we should be outraged that a state in our country has taken action to take away our liberties. Not even a decade ago we allowed our leaders to use our fear of another terrorist attack to take our rights away. Does the Patriot Act ring a bell? A half century ago Americans were living in segregation. Weren't people of a certain skin color forced to ride in the back of buses? Isn't there a whole month dedicated to remembering this? How is it possible that the country that describes itself as a "Melting Pot," "a country of immigrants," and "a country of hope and opportunity" is presently allowing the passage of a bill that strips its core away? Isn't it our responsibility, as Americans, to make sure this doesn't happen again? I feel like I woke up in another time, another place.
But I am not a pessimist. I know this country is full of educated, informed people that know their history, respect the Constitution and advocate the humane treatment of others. It is time for the educated and informed to come together and change this. Lets use the attention the world has on us now to not just revoke SB1070 but bring to light other issues that need to change. Don't forget you have the power to change things. You take that power everytime you vote and every time you shop.
domingo, 28 de marzo de 2010
Update and Commentary on San Carlos
The media has yet to break news of what's been occurring in San Carlos, Tamaulipas. Many events are never reported for numerous reasons. The last update received was that the mayor's brother had been killed and the mayor's whereabouts remained unknown.
San Carlos is a small, quaint, colonial town. One can walk around its perimeter without breaking a sweat. Its streets are filled with Mexican architecture (from colonial to modern with its touch of vernacular). It's a peaceful, beautiful town with breathtaking, scenic views. The weather is mild and the people are courteous. Economically, it is fueled by its crops and cattle. It is home to some of the largest ranches in the country and is located about 150 kilometers from the capital city of Victoria.
San Carlos is minimally developed. For example, there is only one hospital in the city that is not properly equipped. Moreover, doctors and nurses are rarely available. San Carlos is home to many farmers and ranchers because of its fertile and vast land. Tamaulipas is the largest producer of sorghum in the country. Other crops that are grown in the area are: corn, cotton and wheat. Many of the people living there (specifically in the rural outskirts of the city) are illiterate with minimal basic education. Much of this demographic works in the livestock and agriculture industry.
The area has proven to be a rich economic source; something noticed by others outside of the agriculture and livestock fields. Drug cartels have had their hand in the area for years. The lack of education and information has allowed the land and its people to be exploited. Many allege that the political leaders of the area are involved in illegal activities with these drug cartels; whether it be by partnering with them or just allowing such activities to occur.
To many what is currently happening comes to no surprise and as state and federal media outlets remain silent the people's faith in their system continues to wither. This lack of action has made its people tired, confused, scared; and some apathetic.
San Carlos is a small, quaint, colonial town. One can walk around its perimeter without breaking a sweat. Its streets are filled with Mexican architecture (from colonial to modern with its touch of vernacular). It's a peaceful, beautiful town with breathtaking, scenic views. The weather is mild and the people are courteous. Economically, it is fueled by its crops and cattle. It is home to some of the largest ranches in the country and is located about 150 kilometers from the capital city of Victoria.
San Carlos is minimally developed. For example, there is only one hospital in the city that is not properly equipped. Moreover, doctors and nurses are rarely available. San Carlos is home to many farmers and ranchers because of its fertile and vast land. Tamaulipas is the largest producer of sorghum in the country. Other crops that are grown in the area are: corn, cotton and wheat. Many of the people living there (specifically in the rural outskirts of the city) are illiterate with minimal basic education. Much of this demographic works in the livestock and agriculture industry.
The area has proven to be a rich economic source; something noticed by others outside of the agriculture and livestock fields. Drug cartels have had their hand in the area for years. The lack of education and information has allowed the land and its people to be exploited. Many allege that the political leaders of the area are involved in illegal activities with these drug cartels; whether it be by partnering with them or just allowing such activities to occur.
To many what is currently happening comes to no surprise and as state and federal media outlets remain silent the people's faith in their system continues to wither. This lack of action has made its people tired, confused, scared; and some apathetic.
jueves, 25 de marzo de 2010
San Carlos, Tamaulipas Under Seige
Sources have just informed us that the city of San Carlos, Tamaulipas, as well as it's rural surroundings, are being seized by the Zetas. The sources claim the Zetas have taken control of streets and highways as well as kidnapped the city's Mayor.
There are claims that automobiles are being burnt in the middle of roads and the whereabouts of the city's mayor, Ing. Samuel Rodriguez Urbina, remain unknown.
There are claims that automobiles are being burnt in the middle of roads and the whereabouts of the city's mayor, Ing. Samuel Rodriguez Urbina, remain unknown.
miércoles, 24 de marzo de 2010
The Business of Labor in Mexico
Introduction:
Labor laws in Mexico have taken a back seat to what has become the business of labor. This essay will examine salaries, healthcare and infrastructure in the developing country.
Background:
In the second half of the 20th century Mexico became an attractive site to international investors. They have brought their businesses to Mexico and taken advantage of low minimum wages and an agile workforce. Currently a Mexican, by law, must earn a minimum of $55.00 Mexican pesos (approximately $4.20 USD) a day (constituting 8 hours of labor). This amount might sound alarmingly low to some but in recent years many foreign investors have withdrawn from Mexico because other countries have offered lower wages and less regulation.
The Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social or IMSS (a national, government run healthcare program) went into effect during the end of WWII. Through the years laws have been passed, reforms have been made and the Mexican government has regulated the program. Workers that are covered by this program, through their employer, receive full benefits as a monthly deduction is made to their paycheck. In recent years a program called Seguro Popular (Public Insurance) was created to cover the healthcare needs of individuals who are not covered by the IMSS.
Infrastructure is funded by federal, state, municipal and private grant programs. It is developed in accordance to the economic capacity of each area. Housing is primarily financed by the INFONAVIT credit program (a national fund that gives loans to Mexican workers for the purchase of residential homes) and is supervised by the government. Many areas within the country remain without electricity, public lighting, water supply, sewers and/or paved roads.
Conclusion:
Weakness in these public programs, caused by the continuous devaluation of Mexican currency and the ambience of scandal and corruption many public officials are notoriously in, has left the Mexican people with a sense of disillusion towards their own system. Unemployment is on the rise. Physicians, healthcare workers and the public perceive services provided by the IMSS and Seguro Popular under par due to the government’s poor handling of it. The size of an average Mexican house has continually shrunk (the average property measures 5 meters by 15 meters; homes are under 50 squared meters) because of lacking economic growth. The absence of electricity, water supply and paved roads allows for crime and disease to flourish.
Mexicans have lost trust in their system, losing the sense of community and the well-being of the whole, posing a threat to its future. As this individualist approach rises and concern for the well being of the popular mass diminishes the effects have become apparent: indifference towards the rest and cynicism towards the future.
Labor laws in Mexico have taken a back seat to what has become the business of labor. This essay will examine salaries, healthcare and infrastructure in the developing country.
Background:
In the second half of the 20th century Mexico became an attractive site to international investors. They have brought their businesses to Mexico and taken advantage of low minimum wages and an agile workforce. Currently a Mexican, by law, must earn a minimum of $55.00 Mexican pesos (approximately $4.20 USD) a day (constituting 8 hours of labor). This amount might sound alarmingly low to some but in recent years many foreign investors have withdrawn from Mexico because other countries have offered lower wages and less regulation.
The Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social or IMSS (a national, government run healthcare program) went into effect during the end of WWII. Through the years laws have been passed, reforms have been made and the Mexican government has regulated the program. Workers that are covered by this program, through their employer, receive full benefits as a monthly deduction is made to their paycheck. In recent years a program called Seguro Popular (Public Insurance) was created to cover the healthcare needs of individuals who are not covered by the IMSS.
Infrastructure is funded by federal, state, municipal and private grant programs. It is developed in accordance to the economic capacity of each area. Housing is primarily financed by the INFONAVIT credit program (a national fund that gives loans to Mexican workers for the purchase of residential homes) and is supervised by the government. Many areas within the country remain without electricity, public lighting, water supply, sewers and/or paved roads.
Conclusion:
Weakness in these public programs, caused by the continuous devaluation of Mexican currency and the ambience of scandal and corruption many public officials are notoriously in, has left the Mexican people with a sense of disillusion towards their own system. Unemployment is on the rise. Physicians, healthcare workers and the public perceive services provided by the IMSS and Seguro Popular under par due to the government’s poor handling of it. The size of an average Mexican house has continually shrunk (the average property measures 5 meters by 15 meters; homes are under 50 squared meters) because of lacking economic growth. The absence of electricity, water supply and paved roads allows for crime and disease to flourish.
Mexicans have lost trust in their system, losing the sense of community and the well-being of the whole, posing a threat to its future. As this individualist approach rises and concern for the well being of the popular mass diminishes the effects have become apparent: indifference towards the rest and cynicism towards the future.
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