HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comments - HTH Students Memo
To: Chula Vista City Council
From: Monseratte Vargas, 10th Grade Student, High Tech High Chula Vista
Re: Immigrant Services Accessibility
Date: March 12, 2019
The Context: It is important to integrate immigrants into our society because they are large
contributors to our economy. Immigrants are a significant part of San Diego's population. These
families are consumers and workers that allow SD's economy to run smoothly. Immigrants
represent 28% of our workforce. They are scientist,journalists, and entrepreneurs. It is
hardworking men and women who make up our city, not a tainted image that the media portrays.
The Problem: In order for our city to integrate the immigrant community successfully, they
should have more information regarding services for immigrants. Before, during, and after
traveling to the United States, immigrants face many stressful events that can lead to lasting
trauma. Whether or not they are affected physically or mentally like the 23% of undocumented
adults that have shown signs of a mental health disorder, we-need to provide them with more
details because they need to be able to recuperate from the struggles they faced. They should be
given information that can lead them to doctors and other services.
Key Facts:
• States and local areas differ greatly in their experience, infrastructure, and resources to
serve immigrant communities.
• Many people who eligible for health and human services don't apply or don't finish an
application because of the complexity of applications, language and cultural borders,
transportation and fear/mistrust.
• It is reported that 23% of undocumented adults have shown signs of depression and
society
Recommendations: Chula Vista is the second largest city in San Diego County. We can connect
ahem to immigration lawyers or other fundamental services like medical information. We should
be able to provide information to immigrants.
1. The Chula Vista City Council should take additional actions to provide information to the
public and connect immigrants with services.
Making more resources accessible to the public will greatly help the large immigrant community
we have. When these families and individuals have more knowledge of these services they will
be less afraid to seek help. We can lead them to organizations like Alliance San Diego, who
provide services to immigrants with needs.
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Memo
To: Chula Vista City(Council
From: Sydney Mercado, 10th grade student, High Tech High
Re: Immigrant Re-credentialing and Language Classes
Date: March 12, 2019
The Context:
Immigrants like everyone else want to succeed. Dream seekers come to this country for a better
life. We go to school to learn and all we do is work hard to have a better life. Immigrants make
up for 28% of the workforce and 24.1% of our population in just San Diego. They have a big role
in our community.
The Problem:
It's unfair to spend your life studying to earn a credential but then lose it after you flee your home
because of certain circumstances. Immigrants have to start from the very beginning even though
they already had a life in their home country. It can be overwhelming and frightening to some
people. I think that the language barrier is one of the biggest disadvantages they have from
Americans when applying for jobs. They should be able to continue the life they once had and
we should help them move forward.
Key Facts:
• 23% of immigrants hold a college degree or higher in the United States
o Many of the foreign-born individuals, when they come to the United States, don't speak
the language.
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a law that protects immigrants from being deported
and allows them to work in the US if they come from a country that suffered a natural
disasters, epidemic or war
Recommendations:
We need to help immigrants integrate into our community by allowing them to regain the skills
they previously had at home. We need to provide them money and access to language classes
and programs to recredantiate to help them move forward.
1. The Chula Vista City Council should help immigrants find a job faster through job
placement and also give them upskilling and re-credentialing along with protection of
their rights also providing language classes
If this recommendation does happen then the problem of immigrants not having job and being in
the streets is going to lower and help immigrants move forward while being protected by their
rights as well as helping Chula Vista City Council own up to the name of a "Welcoming City".
Memo
To: Chula Vista City Council
From: Andrea Anders, 10th-Grade Student, High Tech High Chula Vista
Re: Job Credentialing Programs
Date: March 12, 2019
The Context: We should integrate immigrants into our society because we will be able to .
eliminate the terrible stigma of judgment upon others of other races and those that come from
other countries. According to a study, migrants make up 24.1% of San Diego County's
population, as well as 28% of the workforce. Despite making up 24.1% of the overall population,
immigrants represented 32.7% of the entrepreneurs in San Diego in 2016. This represents how
we as a community are full of immigrants that are willing to put in the effort to establish a job
and life here; usually, many people believe immigrants are lazy and only come here to be a
burden to the U.S. In order for us to break the obstacle connecting United States citizens and
migrants, we must decrease the challenges and struggles that immigrants go through by
following them through a process of our country's culture and help them through the barrier of
communication; this will make it easier for all immigrants to have an easier time adjusting to the
United States atmosphere.
The Problem: A specific area of immigrant integration that needs to be improved is the
credentialing of immigrants who are coming to the US, seeking a job. In the US, the Department
of Education and the U.S Network for Education Information (USNEI) do NOT evaluate foreign
degrees or qualifications and allow the non-profits to manage those with unwanted documents.
Credential checks from the Education Department of USNEI or non-profit organizations can
become expensive depending on the difficulty of the evaluations, but assuming they will need
interpreters for the documents. When this happens, immigrants are forced to abandon seeking a
job and ordered to perform more years of school until they qualify.
Key Facts:
• A common credential evaluation used for employment, immigration matter and
university admission is the document by document evaluation, which lists an immigrants
educational institution(s) attended along with their education credential(s) earned in a
foreign country and states their U.S. equivalence (e.g. Bachelor, Master, Doctorate, etc.).
e Immigrants must evaluated before they can apply for an H-1B visa to temporarily work in
the U.S.
• To apply for school immigrants will an F-1 Visa, this visa will allow immigrants to get into
English Language Programs, Elementary, Middle School including High School.
Recommendation: Currently, we only have programs or services that help immigrants through
the process of getting job qualifications; We have a program where we help immigrants receive
their job qualifications we need to change the way we evaluate immigrants that apply for specific
credential checks because we only focus on whether their education or degrees are equivalent to
the U.S. education and degrees. With a faster, more efficient evaluation process immigrants will
be able to start work right away and not have to go to school and collect more money from the
government.
1. Chula Vista City Council should implement a credential and foreign degree evaluation
program for immigrants, to speed up the process for employers to fill the specialized jobs
with the most qualified individual.
When immigrants are seeking jobs, they will be given test certifications such as demonstration of
understanding and performance. Based on these tests immigrants will be ranked on their
capabilities, which can be accessible by employers to choose their best candidate for their
specific job.
Memo Template
To: Governing Body or Organization
From: Your-Name-and Title
Re: Subject of your Memo
Date: Date you send the memo to the governing body or organization
The Context:It is important to integrate immigrants into society because they can help our
country, especially in the workforce. About 17.1 percent now make the U.S. labor force.
Lett�ngnurugrantswork for our society,�they will beFable to help the country's economy:
4-5 sentences explaining why it's important to integrate immigrants into society
It is important to integrate immigrants into society because they can help our country,
especially in the workforce. About 17.1 percent of immigrants now make up the U.S.
workforce. _ -, Fm
L"ettan ice._: .._-,- __.-r.__ _ :___
g grants work for out society, they will b"e'alile to help the countrys economy.
Section la- The Problem:
4-5 sentences explaining the problem in integration that currently exists. The paragraph
should include a claim, evidence, and reasoning
Immigrants are facing a crisis job here in the U.S. According to The Quinn Law Firm, "These
jobs often complement white-collar positions, but employers may take advantage of their
undocumented status in the following ways":
• Forcing workers to labor long hours without paying overtime
• Not paying minimum wage or failing to compensate for work that is done under the
table
• Not offering job training or protective equipment for dangerous jobs
• Failing to let workers know of their legal rights
• Not allowing workers to unionize
• Engaging in racial discrimination or sexual harassment
Key Facts
3 bullet-pointed facts that are relevant and credible facts which give more context to the
situation
• According to U.S. Department of Labor, "The unemployment rate for foreign-born
persons in the United States was 4.1 percent in 2017, down from 4.3 percent in 2016,
the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The jobless rate of native born
e
persons was 4.4 percent in 2017, down from 5.0 percent in 2016"
o "In 2017, men accounted for 57.5 percent of the foreign-born labor force, compared
with 52.2 percent of the native-born labor force."
e "Foreign-born workers made 83.1 percent of the earnings of their native-born
counterparts in 2016"
Recommendations
2-3 sentences introducing your recommendation and why it solves the problem.
Creating a program for bilingual immigrants especially in school and create an English
program for students so in the future when they apply for a job, managers can see their resume
that they are bilingual.
1 sentence detailing recommendation
Talk to the City of Chula Vista or the San Diego City Council to present this problematic
language system between immigrants.
2-3 sentences explaining how this recommendation will solve your stated problem
Immigrants will be able to work, get higher paid especially they are bilingual and create more
jobs.
Sources
Websites I'm using
https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2017/foreign-born-workers-made-83-point-l-percent-of-the-earn
ings-of-their-native-born-counterparts-in-2016.htm
https://www.thequinnlawfinn.com/Articles/How-serious-are-employment-challenges-for-immi
grants.shtml
https://www.dallasnews.com/business/jobs/2018/05/17/foreign-born-workers-now-make-17-pe
rcent-us-labor-force
Memo
To: Chula Vista City Council
From: Adrian Sandoval, 10th-grade student, High Tech High Chula Vista
Re: Computer Literacy Classes
Date: March 6, 2018
The Context: Immigrants have a large amount of drive and determination. They are willing to
trek through countries and foreign terrains, and are in constant search of a new life, resources,
and self stability. Foreign born residents are more than willing to serve and fulfill the duties of an
American citizen, the very thing that they aspire to be. Yet they face struggles like language
barriers that are undoubtedly unnecessary and easily solved. Eliminating these barriers will guide
them to success and wellbeing.
The Problem: As a student who was is constantly surrounded by modem tools and technologies,
I understand how to use things like computers and phones to their full potential to aid me in my
education and future endeavors. Likewise, an immigrant migrating from a developing country
who has had limited or no access to these tools will struggle when confronted with these things
for the first time. This leads to bad grades and confusion, which can hold students back from
learning at their full potential. This issue not only affects students, but also adults who are
searching for a job. If they can't operate a computer or even make a simple phone call or text
message, then their career choices are limited and dull.
Key Facts:
• Of the 45.6 million college graduates in the U.S labor force, 7.6 million are
foreign-born. Of those, 25% were in low skilled jobs or unemployed.
• Almost 44%of immigrant Hispanic parents never use computers,and 66% of immigrant Hispanic
parents have less trusted sources of support for learning about technology than parents in other
groups.
• Computer literacy is a crucial component for success at a higher education institution since the
student interacts with the school,the faculty, and the community by using the computer.
Recommendation: Computer science is a fast growing industry that pays well and can be easily
learned with a few months of dedication. Basic knowledge is also necessary for finding a well
paying job and making connections.
1. The Southwestern College school board, along with the Chula Vista city council, should
fund free multilingual computer literacy classes for immigrants who have little to no
experience with computers and other forms of technology.
It is important for CVCC to encourage the Southwestern College School Board to fund computer
literacy classes which will provide vital resources and knowledge for immigrants in search of a
job or a proper education.
. 1
Memo
To: Chula Vista City Council
From: Crystal Peralta, 10th Grade, High Tech High Chula Vista
Re: Expand language access
Date: March 6, 2019
The Context: Integrating immigrants brings diversity, languages and culture into the U.S. Not
only would we be helping those who need an extra hand, but it will also benefit the economy.
Immigrants are useful in this country because of the job opportunities they create by forming
new small businesses. In a 1990 American Immigration Institute survey of prominent economist
it was gathered that four out of five said that immigrants had a positive impact on the economic
growth. This proves that the immigrants coming into the country are contributing to our society
in a positive way and we need to include all members and use their ability to contribute to the
economy and society. However, to integrate immigrants we need to overcome the most
significant barrier to economic and cultural integration which is language.
The Problem: Immigrants face many problems when in the U.S. Not only do they struggle
during the process of getting to the United States, but also adapting to a new environment. The
main issue I would like to focus on is the language barriers between the immigrants. Those who
have limited english proficiency (LEP) have a tougher time getting jobs and have exhibited poor
health outcomes in health care due to the lack of communication. According to a study 49.1% of
LEP patients received some kind of physical harm from the result of a medical error. This shows
the importance of having language access everywhere improving communication amongst each
other.
Key Facts:
• More than 85% of the people appearing before the nation's Immigration Courts have
limited proficiency in English (LEP)
• 1 in 15 people living in the U.S have LEP and it is predicted that this number will
increase to 67 million by 2050
• According to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 federally funded health institutions
must provide interpreter services for LEP patients but which is not always enforced. LEP
patients exhibit a lower return rate for follow-up visits, which can result in poorer health
outcomes as a result of the language barriers.
Recommendations: My recommendation expands language access and ensures culturally
responsive services. This will help improve the communication between those who have LEP
and need more support in these kinds of situations. Immigrants will feel more welcomed and
ease up knowing there's someone who understands them.
1. Chula Vista City Council should expand language access and ensure services are user
friendly and culturally responsive.
This recommendation will make languages more accessible to those who don't fully understand
english. It will help improve communication and make services user friendly making it more
convenient for immigrants and make them feel at ease in the U.S.
Memo
To: Chula Vista City Council
From: Carlos Perez
Re: Immigration
Date: March 12, 2019
The Context: We should integrate immigrants into our society because they make up around
24% of the population and 28% of the workforce in addition to that many come in search of a
better life and want to get their hands on "the american dream". Immigrants struggle year after
year because of one simple fact, they have no help. Immigrants are just kind of thrown into this
whole new world and have to adapt to everything therefore making it extremely difficult for them
to achieve their goals. They face many barriers such as language, religion, and culture when they
come to a new place everything is different. It is important to give everyone a fair chance at
something they want to accomplish, but without integrating everyone and having everyone get
involved I just don't see everyone having the same odds.
The Problem: The problem that currently exists in terms of immigration right now is that many
immigrants come not knowing anything about our language making it hard for them to even be
able to communicate. Since many immigrants have no clue about our language when they get
here they have a higher risk of becoming homeless or struggling to get a job.
Key Facts
• 36% of all immigrants who fall into homelessness become homeless because of problems
caused by the language barrier
• 56% of all immigrants miss out on important resources because they cant speak the
language therefore don't get informed
• 23% of immigrants who cant speak english lose their job due to that problem
Recommendation: Language is one of the most important things you need to know when doing
almost anything. It determines whether you get a job or not graduate or not. Language is a huge
factor in everyone's daily life yet some people are given no help to learn it.
1. The Chula Vista City Council should offer free language classes at easy places to get to
such as community parks and places near the border. These classes would be three times
a week and two hours each, teaching newcomers english.
Chula Vista City Council should give newcomers free english classes in order for them to have
an opportunity to make a future for themselves and the ones they love.
Policy Memo
To: Chula Vista City Council
From: Donna Hamilton
Re: Public Transportation For Immigrants
Date: March 12th 2019
The Context: With immigrants in our country it'll help end racism and help out country succeed
in a economy. In the years the amount of working immigrants has increased by 7.7%. Also 30%
of all STEM workers are foreign born. To me that's crazy because thats a low amount in my
opinion it should at least be 35%.because more immigrants should have jobs.
The Problem: Immigrants don't have transportation to get where they need to go. It's more
difficult to find jobs. They don't know where resources are. They need to get their kids to school.
Key Facts:
• Lack of reliable transportation to easily get to where services are offered
• Not enough medical attention don't know where to go for medical advice
• Don't know english or how to read english so it's hard to get to places
Recommendation: My recommendations would be to create a system where only immigrants
can somehow get rides. Whether the rides are to church, school or work. And these rides would
also include going to doctors appointments or dentist appointments. The essentials. Like how
there's a system for disabled people.
1. The Chula Vista City Council should provide free or even lower cost transportation for
immigrants. If it's for everyday needs or medical attention.
It is importation for CVCC to fund public transportation for imnugrants, so they can get around
-to places that will help them get far in the U.S.
Memo
To: Chula Vista City Council
From: Jessie Watkins, 10th Grade Student
Re: Public Transportation for Immigrants
Date: March 12th, 2019
The Context: Immigrants play a vital role to our county. Diversifying our population will
transform our thought process and allow us to to grow in a diverse and healthy fashion. People of
distinct backgrounds and cultures have different perspectives and ideas to offer. Having them
here will allow our economy and school districts to flourish. From a moral standpoint, it is
important to see others different from us as equals. If we can enact change, the advancements in
this county can make an impact on the entire state of California.
The Problem: Public transportation is vital to immigrants. After the immigration process and
traveling, the last thing they have the money for is a car. Buses and trolleys are a huge stepping
stone for people who have come here, but obstacles such as affordability and safety are always in
question. With Border Patrol raiding buses and all kinds of harassment towards immigrants
surging across the country, it is important that we see immigrant riders as a priority.
Key Facts:
o According to MTS' 2016 statistics, The MTS trolley at the San Ysidro Border is the
second largest trolley boarding location in San Diego.
s In a study done by The Mineta Transportation Institute, when interviewing Latino
immigrants, it was found that, "respondents transit cost was the most commonly
identified barrier for low-income immigrants".
• Harassment of immigrants on public transport is becoming more common, so it is
becoming more and more important to protect these riders.
Recommendation: I recommend a special bus/trolley pass for immigrants that is discounted and
accessible. The card will be available online and in person and privacy will be guaranteed. Of
course, anyone looking to get the pass will have to present evidence as to them being an
immigrant (birth certificates, etc), and the pass should be targeted at low-income immigrants. The
pass will look just like any other card, to avoid targeting by any passengers or onlookers. It
makes it accessible for immigrants in every way possible. By guaranteeing the privacy from law
enforcement and other passengers, any company can gain a loyal following from immigrants and
be seen as a safe, reliable way to move forward.
Memo
To: Chula Vista City Council
From: Juan Francisco Delgadillo, 10th Grade Student
Re: Public Transportation for Immigrants
Date: March 6, 2019
The Context: We should integrate immigrants into our society because of a couple of different
reasons. I think they would be a great part to incorporate into our San Diego economy. Many of
the San Diego immigrants that were welcomed in the past grew and struggled through challenges
and now are amazing world known entrepreneurs. I've read articles about immigrants turning out
to be this big thing in San Diego and in other parts of the United States. Another reason we
should integrate them is that some of them come in search of finding jobs and a better life. Well
if we let them in they have a good possibility of starting their own business and being a big part
of San Diego's economy.
The Problem: A current problem that exists in immigration is transportation. This is an issue to
those who work and don't have any form of transportation, use a bicycle, or can't afford the
trolley. When immigrants are granted access to the U.S. they sometimes have families that come
with as well so they go out and look for a job and a place to stay at. Now if they just arrived in
the U.S. and got a job,they most likely aren't going to have any form of transportation and that
is an issue. If they can't get to their job then they can't earn any money. If they can't earn money
then they go homeless or find a shelter. Let's say they go homeless, they're going to be adding
onto our homeless scale which is already an issue. Therefore, we should do something about
immigrants and their transportation.
Key Facts:
• When looking at MTS statistics, you can see that the majority of people riding are in their
mid 20's and are riding to go to work.
• When conducting a different study, people surveyed low-income immigrants and their
main worry was the fare cost that they had to pay to ride public transportation.
Recommendation: My recommendation to help solve or at least help some with this problem
involves MTS and the trolley system. I say that immigrants should be granted a pass that gives
them access to a discount when traveling places. The discount doesn't have to be everyday 24/7,
it can be from this time to this time, this day to this day. As long as immigrants receive some
form of more affordable transportation and ways of getting around the city, this issue will
hopefully be resolved.
1. The Chula Vista City Council should give immigrants a certain public
transportation pass that grants them a discount.
This will help solve the issue because immigrants sometimes can't afford the bus or trolley
tickets because of all the things that they buy to be healthy and to feed their loved ones. If we
give them the discount we will then be helping them save and expect more money that they will
have in their pockets.
Policy Memo Rubric
Policy Memo Essential Questions: Why should integrate immigrants? What
challenges do immigrants face? What solutions are available?
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Claim Writing includes
claims that
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consistently
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addressing the
essential
question.
Evidence Writing supports
the claim with
evidence that is
credible and
relevant to the
essential
question.
Reasoning Writing explicitly
links the
evidence
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"becauses"are
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Rhetoric The memo uses
elements of
pathos,logos,
and ethos.
Grammar, Grammariy.com
Spelling,and Every word has
Concision a purpose
Scoring guidelines
1=Neglects-Student neglects to meet the standard
2=Approaching-Student is approaching the standard
3=Meets-Student meets the standard
4=Exceeds-student exceeds the standard
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Policy Memo
To: Chula Vista City Council
From: Kannen W Salmon
Re: Small Businesses for Immigrants
Date: March ?, 2019
The Context: We should take immigrants in because they have a chance of improving our
economy. First, we should integrate them here because it is the right thing to do and they won't
harm anything. They will be helping out by taking jobs for businesses that need employees.,
because it will be making their lives better by helping them make money and making them feel like
they belong somewhere. Third, because they just want to help their family. Just picture yourself in
their lives and what they have to go through. Now, what would you do?
The Problem: I feel that a place that needs to be improved for immigrants is when they get here
and they want to start up something they have no idea how to start and were. There needs to be
something to where they can go and get help and the first steps to starting something inorder to
make money. They need help on these things because it is there only hope to make money to
provide for there family.
Key Facts:
• Small businesses can help bring immigrants passion to the U.S and show how good they
are on what they do.
• Immigrants don't know where to go so they need the fust steps from someone.
• Studies show that is you have the first step handed to you, you will go farther in what you
are trying to do such as a hint.
Recommendations: I want to help immigrants get the first steps on where to go on how to start
there small businesses. So have a place where they can go to get help on how to start and where to
start at and maybe on who to go to.
1. Chula Vista City Council should have classes for immigrants on the first steps to starting a -
small businesses.
Small businesses are good for making money for the government because they can get big and
then we can get more money. All we need to do is have something for the immigrants to start off
with like a first step then let them go and they will make some money and some of it will come
back to us.
Memo
To: Chula Vista City Council
From: Emily Martinez, 10th grade, High Tech High Chula Vista
Re: Affordable Housing for Immigrants
Date: March 3, 2019
The Context: It is important to integrate immigrants into our society because they can help
benefit us in our working economy. Many immigrants come here for a better working
environment, to escape their own countries economy, and to better support their families. This
reason will help them contribute'to the rich economy here in California. According to many
studies, immigrants grant social mobility and a multicultural economy here in Southern
California. About 698,000 immigrants currently live here in San Diego and most of them are
currently in the workforce. Many come here to succeed and hope to start fresh but our current
economy and the imbalance with the rich and poor makes it hard for them to even get close to
succeeding. They come here but they have to work twice as hard and not make enough to support
their families. San Diego needs to be more accepting as a society so we can help them, and they
can help us too.
The Problem: The problem is that there's not much affordable housing here in San Diego. It's
not just hard for low-income citizens but even harder for undocumented people who currently
live here. The homeless population makes up of 20.6 percent here in California but we don't even
have proper statistics of how many are immigrants. If at least 25 percent of immigrants currently
live here in San Diego, surely a small percent wouldn't be living in a home which affects them
from getting a job here. We need to solve this crisis because more immigrants are crossing due to
the violence and poverty in Central America. If we don't solve this problem, many immigrants
would end up homeless which will increase the numbers of the current population. Not only that
but California's Paradox will get worse which will affect citizens too.
Key Facts:
• The homeless population is calculated to be at least 20.6 percent here in California
• The California Paradox comprises of the imbalance between the wealthy and the poor
• About 25 percent of San Diego's population comprises of immigrants or undocumented
people
Recommendations: With many immigrants making up about a fourth of our population here in
San Diego, a small amount suffers from homelessness. And the ones that do currently live in a
home, this will affect them even more. I would like to propose a solution which could help
homeless immigrants find homes to help the workforce and the economy here in San Diego.
1. Chula Vista City Council should offer affordable housing to new immigrants and
undocumented people that have at least are currently homeless or must at least lived here
in the US for more than a year.
This recommendation will help the new immigrants to not increase the homeless population here