March 15, 2024 | Vol. 53, Issue 5

The only bilingual Chinese-English Newspaper in New England

Immigration

From Compassion to Contempt: Shift in American Attitudes Towards Current Wave of Migrants

Sampan has been following the migrant crisis for the past four months. We have reported on emotionally charged issues including budget allocation, housing options for overflow arrivals, and discussions about the assimilation of these new families into Boston society. Today, Sampan shares the thoughts of 6 people who were eager to speak.  It is recorded through research and studies that America is a country of immigrants. From the nation’s very beginning, immigrants have defined our culture and shaped this country’s […]

New Sanctuary Movement Supports the Rights of Refugees, Asylees and Migrants

There has been an increasing rise of sanctuary cities in the US. These are locations that- according to the Center for Immigration Studies, provide refugees, asylees, migrants and immigrants with resources to help them live in the country. They also protect undocumented individuals from unwarranted deportation. A list of states that have sanctuary cities includes California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington. According to Global Refugee, a sanctuary city is defined […]

New Study Shows Significant Contributions by Migrants to U.S Economy

In an era where migration is often viewed through a lens of skepticism and controversy, emerging research is rapidly transforming the narrative, revealing the substantial economic contributions of migrants to global economies. The critical role migrants play in enriching and diversifying economies around the world is starting to debunk myths surrounding their role in modern society. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center’s report from February 7, 2024, sets a compelling precedent for the discussion on migrants’ economic contributions. It meticulously […]

Migrant Crisis Update

The Massachusetts Commonwealth finds itself at a crossroads. An influx of migrants, primarily originating from Central and South America, has strained resources and are igniting a complex and multifaceted challenge to shelter them. Current shelters are overflowing, budgets are being stretched to support emergency housing, and Boston communities are split between compassion and concern. Massachusetts is currently facing a large-scale humanitarian crisis and needs to find a solution that prioritizes both the well-being of migrants as well as its community. […]

Immigration Update 1/12/24

According to government estimates, it takes three to four months for federal immigration authorities to process temporary employment authorization for most legal applicants. Many immigrants in Massachusetts have been waiting much longer. In an article published just before the end of the year, The Boston Globe spoke to a number of immigrants in Massachusetts who applied for work authorization. Some have been waiting six months, others nine. This is despite Massachusetts lawmakers’ attempts to improve waiting times by expanding legal […]

Chinatown YMCA Supports Migrant Families in Boston

In the heart of Boston, where the city’s vibrant tapestry is woven with threads of diverse cultures, the migrant situation emerges as a narrative embodying the hopes, struggles, and resilience of those who have journeyed great distances in pursuit of a better life. At the forefront of this story is the Chinatown YMCA’s Migrant Support Program, integral to the city’s response to the challenges faced by migrants. Boston, historically shaped by waves of immigration, witnesses a resurgence of its immigrant […]

Biweekly Immigration News, 12/22/23: Federal and State Updates

It has been a difficult few months for immigrants in Massachusetts, but there is finally some good news. Lawmakers have approved millions of dollars in funding under a supplemental budget that allows immigrants in the state to access SNAP benefits. The legislation covers residents who are not citizens but are in the immigration process or have legal status. Massachusetts used to provide SNAP benefits to immigrants in the late 90s, but the state halted funding for this aspect of the […]

Immigration News: Federal and State Updates

As Congress works to avoid yet another government shutdown, immigration funding and legislation have been top of mind. Multiple states, including Massachusetts, have experienced the strain of a lack of funding and emergency shelter space for an unprecedented number of individuals and families traveling to the U.S. from Central and South America, India, China, and other countries. Last week, multiple immigration advocacy groups jointly released a memo demanding that Congress pass “common sense, bipartisan measures” to address the immigration system […]

Immigrants and Their Stories: A Series of Narratives

In this series, we interview new immigrants to the US to hear their stories, struggles, and dreams. Here, we speak with Hu Yang (his name has been changed), from China. Hu Yang, from China Hu Yang comes from the city of Tai Shan in Guangdong Province, China. After graduating from college, he began working as an intern at the Bank of China. He remained at the bank for 17 years, rising to the position of Loan Officer Manager. Hu Yang […]

DIGNIDAD Act: The First Bipartisan Immigration Reform Bill Seen in Years

With the nation bogged down in partisan, polarized debate surrounding immigration, the DIGNIDAD Act provides the first bipartisan effort at reform effectively transcends party lines with seemingly practical solutions and works to address security, documentation, and humanitarian aid. The system currently faces a backlog of 1.6 million cases and unprecedented humanitarian displacement in Latin America. The situation shows no signs of slowing. The evenly divided Congress could prove a barrier to this bill’s eventual enactment. For now, the results remain very uncertain, […]

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