I just saw a DVD/movie called "The Visitor" that addresses the issue of ignoring paperwork in a compelling way.

Linda Taylor, Director of Assessment  Development, CASAS
858-292-2900, ext. 186
ltaylor at casas.org


From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Wrigley, Heide
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 2:30 PM
To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List
Cc: Janet Isserlis
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 4266] Re: Adult Ed students deported at White House visit

Hello all

This has heavy-handed indeed. I think that now all outstanding deport orders are classified as felonies so people are on a watch list. So these students are not simply undocumented students anymore.

I think it is absolutely essential that as teachers we tell our students about the importance of NOT EVER ignoring any paperwork from the government - things get worse exponentially. It is of course also hugely important for programs to advocate for more free legal aid for families so they can get their questions answered and know what their rights are when they face legal difficulties.

I wonder if anyone addresses these issues in their PD so that teachers know what to tell students and know what local resources are available to answer students questions (no legal questions should ever be answered by teachers, by the way). Does anyone have a strong piece in the EL Civics component of their adult ESL classes that speaks to dealing with paperwork from the government (immigration, taxes)  - not just the importance of keeping documents but what to be prepared for if you are a non-citizen (authorized or not) -Airport checks and road checks asking for legal documentation are frequent in areas along the US-Mexico border  and visitors from other states often don't carry their Green cards or visas with them and face long delays just travelling from one town to another, miles from the border

I would love to hear of training or learner materials that address the paperwork issues head on

Best

Heide Spruck Wrigley
Literacywork International
Non-resident fellow
Migration Policy Institute/Center for Immigrant Integration Policy



From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Pichard, Mercedes Dr.
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 10:17 AM
To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 4264] Re: Adult Ed students deported for visitingWhite House

Although I was also appalled at the RESULT, it seems to me that the Adult Ed classroom instructor should have warned his whole class - without targeting anyone in particular --- that there was going to be a stringent security check at the gate of the White House.   Some kind of  "word to the wise" warning would probably have prevented the undocumented folks from joining that particular field-trip.

Mercedes Pichard

Fort Myers, FL


________________________________
From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Eugenia Fitzgerald
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 11:52 AM
To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 4262] Re: Adult Ed students deported for visitingWhite House

I saw this and was appalled.  Talk about heavy-handed!  I think they need to rethink their "protocol."
On Thu, May 14, 2009 at 7:25 PM, Lynne Weintraub <lynneweintraub at hotmail.com<mailto:lynneweintraub at hotmail.com>> wrote:
Thinking about taking a class to visit the White House? Read this first:


WASHINGTON - Two people facing deportation from the United States have been taken into custody at the White House<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/14/two-students-taking-tour-_n_203723.html> gate. They had arrived for a tour of the executive mansion.

The pair was part of an adult education program, and a routine background check showed they had an outstanding immigration order against them.

White House spokesman<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/14/two-students-taking-tour-_n_203723.html> Nick Shapiro says they were taken into custody Thursday morning before they entered the compound.

All White House visitors are required to undergo a U.S. Secret Service background check. Shapiro says agents discovered the problems and informed immigration officials, according to protocol.



Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/14/two-students-taking-tour-_n_203723.html


Lynne Weintraub
Amherst MA

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