Richard Sambrano richardnoesambrano@yahoo.com cell 214-601-8681 home 972-481-1443 [REDLatinaDFW] statistics about citizenship needs in DFW - Latinos vs.

other immigrants
Feb. 8 "A Pew Hispanic Center study this week said that of 5.4 million immigrants from Mexico who are eligible to become U.S. citizens, only 36 percent had taken the step. Across all immigrant groups, 61 percent of those eligible have achieved citizenship. The study cited various factors, including people who said they dont know English, a requirement for citizenship, and the cost of filing a citizenship request, which is $680. As for why Mexicans were less likely than other groups to pursue citizenship, the study said that Mexicans are more likely than others to maintain close ties with their home country because of its close proximity to the U.S." (Washington Post, read HERE) Here in Dallas we've found that it is the shortage of citizenship classes that is responsible for the low rate of applications for naturalization among green card holders. Not only are few classes (Catholic Charities, LULAC education center, Richardson library) but they all requires English competence for participation. Most Asian and African immigrants have studied English before reaching the US and have continued their higher education classes in this country. Not only do they benefit from higher education levels, but they can attend a Naturalization Workshop, and then study the materials on their own. NALEO is organizing workshops to serve Latinos and the City of Plano offers quarterly workshops for their primarily Asian residents. THESE WORKSHOPS DO NOT MEET THE NEED OF LATINO GREEN CARD HOLDERS whose English skills are limited. During the past 10 months, DFW International Community Alliance has become the primary provider of citizenship education, training 900 people to pass the naturalization exam. Each class has served 150 adults, who are informally grouped according to their English skills. We find that across the metroplex

Latino green card holders who don't speak English well are fearful of investing $680 to apply because after the second attempt, they have to pay again. About 7% of our adult green card holders have NEVER been to school. They cannot read or write even in Spanish. Another 30% of Latino green card holders don't know any English and cannot answer a simple question such as 'How many children do you have?' or 'Where do you live?' Another 45% have weak English skills and could not study for the test on their own

Our DFW green card holders need the training offered in a series of bilingual classes designed especially for them. We're proud to have served 900 of our neighbors during the past 10 months. Sincerely,

"Realizing the American dream....." www.dfwinternational.org

We are a network of over 1,600 internationally-focused civic, community and educational organizations in the Dallas / Fort Worth metroplex that embodies the cultural and economic vibrancy of the global community. Our Mission is to build mutual understanding and respect by linking diverse international cultural communities in North Texas.

__._,_.___
Reply via web post
RECENT ACTIVITY: Visit Your Group

Reply to sender

Reply to group

Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

1. Please send your messages to: REDLatinaDFW@yahoogroups.com. 2. Remove your email by writing to REDLatinaDFW-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com. 3. Add your email by writing to: REDlatinaDFW-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. 4. The messages posted on this board are moderated to protect you from SPAM. PLEASE POST CULTURAL EVENTS on our calendar at www.dfwinternational.org rather than on the RED. Only very special programs will be approved for distribution through the RED. 5. You can view the archive of all past messages at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/REDLatinaDFW 6. Our website: www.dfwinternational.org 7. Mission of the REDLatina: To create a communications network that will coordinate among all the members of our many Hispanic communities the exchange of information, while promoting cooperation in a timely and ethical manner.
Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest Unsubscribe Terms of Use Send us Feedback
.

__,_._,___