Today's Rhode Island Immigrants
An in-depth look into Immigration in the Ocean State
WRNI (Series: April 21-25, 2008)
The role of immigrants in Rhode Island's history is well established.
All this week, WRNI explores the challenges faced by current immigrants
and state agencies and lawmakers.
Stories from Morning Edition:
Illegal Immigration
The issue of illegal immigration has recently moved into the forefront.
But, even before governor Carcieri issued his executive order designed
to crack down on illegal residents, a flood of bills with the same intent
had been filed on smith hill.
After years of passive acceptance of a broken federal immigration system,
some Rhode Islanders are saying 'enough is enough'. Advocates, however,
say they're being made scapegoats for years of overspending and corruption.
WRNI's Flo Jonic begins our series with an overview.
RIte Care Cuts
Two years before the Governor's executive order to crack down on illegal
immigration, Rhode Island's general assembly voted to stop giving health
care to undocumented and even some legal immigrants. That was through
changes to RIte care - the state sponsored program that provides health
coverage to low income children and families. Now the state is considering
cutting over two thousand immigrant children who were spared from those
cuts. WRNI's health care reporter Megan Hall has more.
Immigrants and Schools
Education week magazine recently ranked the state's schools among the
most expensive and lowest performing in the country. Educators say the
disconnect is due in part to the large number of non-English speaking
students.
There's no question that many English language learners are performing
below grade level and dropping out of high school. But, WRNI's Flo Jonic
reports that improving academic achievement is complex and costly.
Caring for Refugees
As Rhode Island engages in a debate about how to care for immigrants who
came here illegally, there's little talk about those newcomers who came
here legally, but would go back home if they could. Over the past five
years, Rhode Island has welcomed more than a thousand refugees from war
torn countries around the world. Many come from parts of Africa like Liberia
and Burundi where medical care is nothing like the American health system.
A new program through the international institute and the department of
health aims to make that transition a little easier. WRNI's health care
reporter Megan Hall has more.
Summer Workers
The congressional stalemate over immigration has left many employers scrambling
to find summer workers. In Newport, hotels are hoping to solve the shortage
before the tourism season gets into full swing. WRNI's Elizabeth Smick
reports.
Reporter Roundtable
WRNI's Morning Edition host Bob Seay discusses some of the issues raised in this series with reporters Flo Jonic, Megan Hall and Elizabeth Smick.
Web Extra: on line resources.
International Institute of Rhode Island
Neighborhood Health
Plan of Rhode Island
Rhode Island
Department of Health - Refugee Health Program
Rhode Island
Department of Health - Office of Minority Health
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