Blogs

A report by the Center for American Progress argues that the economic benefits for comprehensive immigration reform could amount to well over $1.5 Trillion in economic growth for the country. Read the report here.

I completely agree with the analysis and perspective of this report. While I may not know if the actual economic boost of legalizing 12 million immigrants to be $1.5 or $1.3 or .9 trillion, what I do know is that immigration reform would unleash the economic potential of millions of people -- instantly. Think about it. Immigrant families who are now shout off from participating fully and openly, who now live in constant fear and in the shadows of society, would be able to dream, work, produce, save, and invest in America right away. This could come to pass with an immigration reform bill that sets a clear path to legalization for the currently undocumented immigrant families; families who are ready, willing, and able to remake America once again.

The New York Times ran a story highlighting how families are turning to the Food Stamp Program in their time of need. But no matter what the need may be, for immigrant families who have been here for less than five years, this program is not for them.

THE SAFETY NET
Living on Nothing but Food Stamps
By JASON DEPARLE and ROBERT M. GEBELOFF
Published: January 3, 2010
The number of Americans reporting food stamps as their only income soared 50 percent over the past two years.

Greetings! My name is Lorena Melgarejo and I am the new Community Engagement Program Director. This is my first full week at Mission Asset Fund | Fondo Popular de la Misión, and in such short time, I have already experienced a taste of MAF's vibrant work in our community. It is truly an honor to join this incredible team.

As a way of introduction, I would like to share a bit about my background with you. I am an immigrant from Paraguay, and I came to the US fifteen years ago in my late teens. I’ve spent the past 10 years as a community organizer in the Bay Area, organizing with workers through labor unions and later, organizing with the faith-based community in San Francisco. Since 2005, I worked hard to develop immigrant leaders and efficient organizing committees in the Mission, and throughout San Francisco. An important lesson I learned from these experiences is that the most effective advocates are everyday people empowered to speak with their own voice to share their experiences, define problems, set their own priorities and work strategically to win solutions.

I am eager to work with MAF because I see that we are doing innovative work to dissipate the most deeply ingrained and destructive myths about our immigrant communities, which say that immigrants drain the US economy, don’t pay taxes and just come here to use welfare sending all their money back to their home countries. MAF's work shines a light on the true nature of the immigrant community. Every MAF participant who makes the effort to save money in an IDA or a Cesta Popular and finds the time to educate themselves through our programs is living proof to the resiliency of our immigrant communities that ultimately enrich our nation.

I am ready to put my "granito de arena" to move this important work forward!