The St. Louis region’s lack of immigrants has hurt its economy and its growth – and its civic leaders are out to change the trend.
Read Jo Mannies’ report at the St. Louis Beacon.
Reaction To Obama’s Speech Once Again Divided Along Party Lines
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Missouri and Illinois lawmakers generally split along party lines when reacting to President Barack Obama’s first State of the Union speech since winning re-election last November. Read Jason Rosenbaum’s report in the St. Louis Beacon.
Local Leaders Are Optimistic About Immigration Reform
St. Louis, immigration advocates, lawyers and professors are optimistic that immigration reform may actually be able to be achieved. Read Kristin Hare’s report in the St. Louis Beacon.
Posted in Immigration, Issues
Durbin: ‘Very Good’ Chance For Immigration Revamp Including DREAM Provisions
Joining a bipartisan group of senators who outlined an ambitious immigration overhaul plan, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said Monday that prospects were good this year for the first major reform of the nation’s immigration laws in decades. Read Rob Koenig’s report in the St. Louis Beacon.
Posted in Immigration, Issues
Ill. Lawmakers Considering Driver’s Licenses For People In U.S. Illegally
A proposal that could make Illinois the next state to allow people who are in the U.S. illegally to get driver’s licenses has been passed by a House committee. Gov. Pat Quinn says he will sign it if it reaches his desk. Read the report at St. Louis Public Radio.
Posted in Immigration, Issues
Panel Asked To Make Missouri A Welcoming Place For Immigrants
The Missouri state Senate’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Immigration on Thursday launched hearings on the benefits and challenges of becoming a welcoming place for immigrants. Members got an earful from stakeholders like Giovanni Madriz (left), pastoral associate at St. Cecilia Catholic Church.
Read the report from Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum in the St. Louis Beacon.
Posted in Immigration, Issues
Missouri Senate Panel Will Focus On Attracting New Immigrants
The Missouri state Senate’s “Blue Ribbon Panel on Immigration” today launched hearings as part of an effort to underscore that the GOP-controlled chamber isn’t anti-immigration. John Lamping, R-Ladue, is chairing the panel. Read Jo Mannies report in the St. Louis Beacon.
Posted in Immigration, Issues
Thousands of immigrants come here, but do they vote?
Last year, more than 4,000 people became U.S. citizens in Missouri. But newly naturalized citizens register to vote at a lower rate than native-born citizens, and actually voting can be a problem due to poor English, lack of education and trouble getting to the polls on election day because of jobs or transportation. Read Kristen Hare’s report in the St. Louis Beacon.
Posted in Immigration, Issues
Homeland: Immigration in America series produced here; playing nationwide on PBS
The Nine Network of Public Media played a central role in producing the documentary series Homeland: Immigration in America. The series is underway. Details here.
Posted in Immigration
