Kansas

A new Oklahoma immigration law, which is one of the strictest in the nation, could have far-reaching effects on Kansas.

About 14 percent of Oklahoma’s legal and illegal immigrants have been moving to neighboring states or Mexico as a result of the bill, said Linda Allegro, a political science professor at the University of Tulsa.

With the outflow of migrants, some are concerned Kansas will become a “sanctuary state,” said Brent Metz, Kansas University assistant professor of anthropology”*

*From: http://www2.ljworld.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

“Be very, very cautious before going into this minefield,” Mike Seney, an Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce official, told the Lawrence Journal-World. “There is a reason for a federal pre-emption on this.”

Kansas lawmakers should heed the warnings.

Oklahoma’s crackdown on illegal immigrants — billed as the toughest in the nation — sounded good to many people when it was passed last year. The law makes it a felony to harbor, transport or hire an unauthorized immigrant.”*

*From: http://www.kansas.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Nuestra America in the U.S. will feature acclaimed experts discussing how the shift in the population has affected communities, labor, politics, education and cultural production in the U.S. The event takes place Feb. 8 and 9 in the Kansas Union.

The title of the conference is a reference to poet, writer and leader of the Cuban Independence movement Jose Marti’s concept of “Our America.”"*

*From: http://www.infozine.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

With Congress on the sidelines, lawmakers in Kansas and Missouri say they have no choice but to make illegal immigration a target in 2008.

In both states, legislators are pushing tougher laws. The measures — being considered in neighboring states and already passed in Oklahoma — range from increased authority for law enforcement to tougher rules for employers.

“You’re seeing this now because this issue has hit the heartland,” said Sen. Scott Rupp, a Wentzville, Mo., Republican who said he had seen two instances of illegal immigrant labor in his home district.”*

*From: http://www.kansascity.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

A law enacted last year requiring people to prove they’re in Kansas legally before getting a driver’s license is expected to reduce the number of licenses issued to illegal immigrants, a Senate committee was told Thursday.

“Over the next six years, we might see 50,000 licenses not renewed because they can’t prove lawful residence,” Secretary of Revenue Joan Wagnon told the Federal and State Affairs Committee.

Kansas once had a reputation as a place where it was easy for an illegal immigrant to get a driver’s license, but that has changed, senators were told.”*

*From: http://www.forbes.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Anxious not to sit out one of the year’s bigger issues, Kansas House Democrats unveiled their own immigration reform plan yesterday. It counters more aggressive legislation that’s been floated by Republicans.

Here are the components of the plan, which has not yet been introduced as a bill.”*

*From: http://primebuzz.kcstar.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Kansas lawmakers eager to pass new laws cracking down on illegal immigration should look before they leap. By rushing through bills based more on rhetoric and fear than hard data, lawmakers risk imposing a cure that’s worse than the illness.

Yes, many Kansans are rightly fed up with our nation’s broken borders. They want action. But local activist group Sunflower Community Action is right in arguing that lawmakers have an obligation to weigh, with analysis and studies, the real impact of illegal workers and laws aimed at driving them out.”*

*From: http://www.kansas.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

So did you know this? If you didn’t, perhaps you could send it to someone you know to help spread the knowledge and please tell them about HispanicTips.

View more “Did You Know?” facts in our “Did You Know?” section

From: http://www.kansas.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kan., says Congress needs to find a way to help employers identify illegal immigrants through a “practical employer verification program.”

“Then you can move forward and talk about what else we’re going to do to make policies that are going to work for the long term, but without a way to enforce it, you can’t really have a meaningful policy,” she said.”*

*From: http://www2.ljworld.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

As a Mexican citizen living legally in Lawrence, I am extremely interested in the debate about illegal immigration (mainly from Mexico). I am a law-abiding citizen both here and in my own country and therefore I cannot but agree that wholesale breaking of American laws is unacceptable and something must be done to solve the problem of illegal migration and border security. (Mexico has a taste of the same problems with Central American immigrants.)

However, I do believe that Americans are now concentrating almost single-mindedly on measures that address the symptoms, rather than the causes, of the immigration situation. The symptom is a very marked increase, beginning about 10 years ago, in the number of Mexicans coming to work in the United States. The cause is the economic inequality both between the countries and within Mexico.”*

Immigrants concerned about recent arrests gathered for a vigil across southwest Kansas to protest anti-immigration legislation.

The vigils were held yesterday in Dodge City, Garden City, Liberal, Great Bend, Ulysses and in Guymon, Oklahoma.”*

Ignacio Ayala, a Wichita firefighter, said he’s honored to participate in a new effort to promote Hispanic fathers getting more involved in their children’s education.

“All men, in general, need to come together to be a part of their children’s lives,” said Ayala, who also is pursuing a master’s degree in social work from Wichita State University.

“We need to be there, not only to be that father, but we need to be that parent that goes through all of the different challenges that our children go through, especially as they become adolescents.”"*

Though the number is impossible to pinpoint, an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 Low German Mennonites, distinct for their language and religion, have started settlements in southwest Kansas, said Cyndi Treaster, director of the Farmworker, Immigrant and Refugee Health Section in the Office of Local and Rural Health at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

“The last time Low German Mennonites settled in Kansas was in the 1800s,” said William Keel, a professor of German at The University of Kansas, referring to a group that settled on farms in central Kansas. “This is like the 19th century all over again.”"*

Guadian, 88, of Garden City, is one of 28 Hispanic veterans from Kansas who are featured in the new documentary film “Kansas Hispanic Veterans Remembered.”

The one-hour-and-15 minute documentary is scheduled to air at 10 p.m. Nov. 18 on KPTS-PBS television in Wichita. Ford and Sumaya, both of Topeka but originally from Garden City, produced the film.”*

“Officials at St. Anne Catholic School here have gotten mixed reactions to their requirement that students speak only in English while at school.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita says the school enacted the policy to deal with Spanish-speaking students who were using their native language to bully other children or insult teachers and administrators without their knowledge.

But some parents have complained about the policy, saying St. Anne is discriminating against Spanish speakers.”*

“The Office of Multicultural Affairs at the University of Kansas will host the second Latino Leadership Summit on Wednesday, Oct. 31, at the Kansas Union.

The goal of the summit is to provide information in Spanish and English on college preparation to the growing Latino high school student population in Kansas. The program will address social adjustment, admissions processes and leadership development to help students explore their college options. Motivational speaker Carlos Ojeda Jr. will give the keynote address.”*

“The crowd, packed in tight on the southeast corner of the Depot Theater and the Central Station Parking lot, gathered Saturday morning to celebrate the dedication of a sign recognizing the Mexican Village of Dodge City.

Some who were born and raised in the village attended the event, while the descendants of others acted as proxies for their loved ones.

Off to the side of the stage, a mariachi band’s songs echoed across the parking lot.”*

“Spanish energy company Abengoa (ABG.MC: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Monday it had signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy worth $38 million to develop a biomass ethanol plant in Hugoton, Kansas.

In a statement to the Spanish stock exchange regulator, Abengoa said the plant would eventually process 700 tonnes of biomass a day, producing 44 million litres of ethanol a year.”*

“The playgrounds of the Dodge City elementary schools are filled with the chatter of children as they take turns on the swings and chase each other around the yards. The children converse freely with one another, alternating with ease between English and Spanish depending on who they’re speaking with.

This is not an unusual snapshot of the schools in Dodge City, where the elementary schools have an Hispanic population of around 80 percent. While other schools in the Midwest may be dominated by blond-headed children, they become the minority here. The middle and high schools aren’t far behind, where approximately 60 percent of the students come from Latino ancestry.”*

“The area’s only live, local Spanish-language television show celebrated its first anniversary Tuesday.

“Al Dia Con Sabor Latino,” or “Day to Day with Latino Flavor,” airs from 5 to 5:30 p.m. weekdays on Cox Communications digital cable channel 312 or on Channel 51 by antenna and Direct TV satellite.

Azteca Wichita Channel 51’s crew has kept busy in its first year covering a variety of news and entertainment events — from immigration marches to the defeat of the city’s first popularly elected Hispanic mayor, Carlos Mayans, and live musical performances.”*

“A decade ago, when the Crossroads Arts District set about establishing its identity, one of the first projects completed was a commission for three sculptures by area artists in the parking lot of Lidia’s restaurant.

Recently the West Side engaged a prominent Latino artist to proclaim its identity ”” and its distinctness from the neighboring Crossroads.

In early September a billboard, designed by Kansas City artist Adolfo Martinez, went up at 17th and Jefferson streets in the historically Latino neighborhood.”

“Members of the city’s Hispanic women’s organization, Mana de Wichita, are recognizing seven “quiet warriors” whose determination and passion make a difference in their community and beyond.

“We want to recognize the Latina leaders we do have in Wichita and sort of showcase them to the rest of the city,” said state Rep. Delia Garcia, former Mana president.”

“The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City celebrates its 30 year anniversary with its Annual Noche de Gala Awards Celebration on Friday, November 16, 2007. The celebration will be held at the Bartle Hall Grand Ballroom, Kansas City, Missouri, and is presented by Anheuser-Busch. “The Gala is our Chamber’s premier business event in the Hispanic community. The Gala awards recognize business leaders and corporations that have provided exemplary support to the Hispanic business community in the Kansas City metropolitan area,” said Carlos Gomez, President and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The Gala evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a Chairman’s reception, followed by the awards dinner at 7:30 p.m. The awards program will honor the achievements of those Hispanic individuals who have made a positive impact on the Kansas City business community. The Gala attracts more than 900 attendees, including local and state elected officials, corporate business leaders, and influential individuals from the Hispanic community.

For more information, please contact Gabriel Munoz with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City at 816-472-6767.

###

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City is proud to honor the following award winners:

Reyes Media -Jesse Flores Hispanic Business of the Year Award - This award is presented to the company who most exemplifies excellence in the Hispanic entrepreneurial activities, success in business, and positive representation of the Hispanic culture.

Cristo Rey –Hector Barretto Sr. New Small Business of the Year - This award is presented to a new organization that has been in business less than two years, has shown significant growth in business, and has demonstrated commitment to the community.

Bank of America –El Dorado Corporation of the Year - This award is presented to the corporation who has demonstrated and implemented initiatives that has made a positive difference in the growth of the Hispanic Business.

Rudy Padilla -Carlos F. Cortes Humanitarian of the Year - This award is given to the individual who best exemplifies the traits of volunteering, community service, and the tireless dedication to the well being of the Hispanic community.

A Chairman’s Award will also be presented to the Chamber member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce during the year through service and commitment to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City.

About the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to the creation, advancement, promotion and development of economic opportunities within the Hispanic market and business community in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. The Hispanic Chamber was founded in 1977; since its inception, the chamber has worked towards the development of its members businesses and the community they serve.

Contact: Gabriel Munoz
816.472.6767
Website Link:

“U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) today announced three grants totaling $1,709,000 to Garden City Community College, Dodge City Community College and Donnelly College in Kansas City for the Hispanic Serving Institutions Program. These grants will help expand educational opportunities and improve academic achievement for Hispanic students.

Ӣ $574,000 for Garden City Community College to increase student access to high-demand Nursing and Allied Health programs.

Ӣ $572,000 for Dodge City Community College to fund a new English as a Second Language (ESL) Lab that will provide for assessment, placement, and advising.

Ӣ $561,000 for Donnelly College in Kansas City, KS to develop and pilot two new programs: Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

The funds will be used to enhance the academic offerings, program quality and the institutional stability of each college. Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.”

“My name is Martha Sanchez, mother of Maria Guzman. I would like to get some help from you to try and catch the two men who murdered my daughter.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005 in Kansas City, Kan. Maria Guzman was riding in a car with three friends when she was shot and killed when the car she was in exchanged gunfire. This stemmed from an earlier incident, where a girl lost a fight with another girl and was seeking revenge.

My daughter was shot first. The car had 25 gunshot holes. Maria died instantly. Three of her friends were also shot. Maria’s friend Michael, who was also shot, is now going to be a quadriplegic. Joshua, another friend, was shot five times (once in the face). He is doing OK but he will need some surgery to repair his face. Jodie, 17, was also shot five times in the chest. He was very lucky to survive. One of the four girls in the Explorer (all of whom were shot) also died.”