Immigration

Terms:

UIY--unaccompanied immigrant youth (youth who have to leave their parents at the border)

CMF--children of migrant families (children who are part of a family who migrated)

MSF--Mixed Status Families (families where some are documented and others are undocumented)

ICE--US Immigration and Customs Enforcements

“You don’t leave your home unless it is the mouth of a shark” Immigrants have to leave their homes because of terrible situations

Examples: climate issues, violence, etc.

Barriers: not knowing the language, not knowing how things work in the other country, no networks of support, etc.

Getting a visa: not allowed to be an employee, so not able to make enough money to live,

• lots of immigration lawyers, but usually all full

• No computer to print

• No money

• So many paperworks, in a different language

Newcomer Navigation Center (NNC):

• Founded through Eden United Church of Christ

• Connect immigrants to mental health and healthcare support

• Help with paperwork, appointments, and getting food, and rides to appointments

People during covid have had to stay at home, being scared of being exposed. Undocumented immigrants have a similar fear of leaving their homes because they could be at risk of getting caught by ICE.

Example Situation

Description: Mixed-status family of 6 living doubled up in Cherryland awaiting asylum. Parent was having housing challenges and lacked basic needs

First Week: NNC helps with food, rental assistance, transportation, legal accompaniment, navigation services

First Month: NNC helps with clothing, medical, and dental care, rental assistance

By Dec. 2020: family is living in long term shelter, with connection to benefits, and continued weekly check-ins and support

Immigration Reform:

• The system works against families, so there is always a need for volunteers and immediate work

• In the long term, we need to find the roots of immigration and have policy change to support immigrants