American blacks disproportionately hurt by high immigration numbers

Here is an opinion piece that appeared in the Washington Times earlier in the week stating the obvious about high immigration numbers.  American blacks are the first to lose jobs when immigration is out of control.

Like just about everyone else, it seems, the CBC (Congressional Black Caucus) has its own list of grievances with the man in the White House. Chief among the concerns of black lawmakers is the president’s failure to address a black unemployment rate that far exceeds that of the general population. Sixteen percent of black workers are unemployed, and among black teens, a staggering 44.9 percent are out of work.

There is ample blame to be laid at the White House door, but the 43 members of the CBC who represent largely black constituencies also bear a large share of the responsibility. While some 8 million existing U.S. jobs are estimated to be held by illegal aliens, the CBC, like Mr. Obama, has consistently opposed tough enforcement of laws against employing illegal aliens. Many of the jobs filled by illegal aliens could be filled by black Americans, especially the huge cohort of black youth who are neither in school nor part of the labor force.

Rather than press the president to fulfill his responsibilities to American workers and resume meaningful enforcement against companies that employ illegal aliens, removing those workers from the country, the CBC marches in lockstep with the interests that promote illegal immigration. Since taking office last year, Mr. Obama has all but halted immigration enforcement in the workplace – a policy that enjoys the support of the CBC.

[…..]

As leaders of the black community, members of the CBC are in a unique position to frame the immigration issue in terms of social justice and ensuring opportunity to all Americans. Latinos and other immigrants are not entirely to blame for unemployment that disproportionately afflicts black Americans. Rather, it is immigration policies that ignore the profound impact of millions of people entering our country – legally and illegally – that are a huge part of the problem.

CBC and African refugees 

In fact, according to Heidi Boas in her important 2007 paper entitled,“The New Face of America’s Refugees: African Refugee Resettlement to the United States,” she places much of the responsibility for how we switched from a European/Asian centered refugee program to one with a large African refugee component on the Congressional Black Caucus.

….several of the individuals interviewed for this paper identified the Congressional Black Caucus as one of the most influential groups advocating over the past decade for increased African refugee resettlement to the United States.

Every time I see a story about how American Blacks and Somalis are clashing in black neighborhoods in American cities I’m reminded of the Congressional Black Caucus’s folly.

Haitians headed out in boats

Update March 31st:  Jamaica repatriated this group of Haitians, here.

I haven’t followed the Haitian issue closely lately so I’m not sure if this is the first report of Haitians taking to boats since the January earthquake or not.  60 have been reported now landing in Portland, Jamaica, from Radio Jamaica here.  Floridians might start scanning the horizons!

Liberians participated in March on America, deportations looming?

My previous story this morning about the Liberian gang rape case in Phoenix reminded me that Liberians participated in the Marxist March on America last Saturday.  Here is a story from All Africa about that participation.

Hundreds of Liberians in the United States joined other immigrants to press for reforms in the immigration system that would allow millions legitimize their stay in America.

As their Temporary Protective Status comes to end with prospects of deportation since conditions here are deemed improved, they held a rally in Washington D.C., on Sunday, March 21, 2010

“The March For America” was organized by and held under the leadership of the Reform Immigration For America campaign. In addition to this immigration advocacy body, the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), is also working in close collaboration and partnership with various other like minded activists and pressure groups in finding lasting solution to immigration problems facing Liberian citizens

After the match [march?] American officials spoke to the marchers, including New Jersey Congressmen Donald Payne, Sr., who is also Chairman of the powerful House Sub-Committee on Africa, Patrick Kennedy and Jim Langevin of Rhode Island, Keith Edison [Ellison, America’s first Muslim Congressman] of Minnesota and Rhode Island’s Senator Jack Reed. Liberia’s Ambassador in Washington DC, Roland Barnes also attended the program.

Liberians were granted Temporary Protected Status and allowed to come to the US years ago supposedly “temporarily.”  Their time was up and thanks to people like Senator Reed (here), Obama extended the time* they can stay although the turmoil in their country has now subsided.   The same status was granted Haitians recently.  So what do you think the chances are that any of them will go home?

* I see that their extension is up in 4 days, but I’m guessing Obama has already extended their stay again.  If anyone sees that report let me know!  Do immigrants with TPS status get to vote?

Phoenix: Liberian refugee will go to juvenile court in gang-rape case

This is a story we reported here last summer.

Yesterday AP reported that the oldest of the rapist boys would be given over to the juvenile justice system for three years of therapy.  Testimony centered around the fact that rape was common in Liberia.

PHOENIX — A teenage Liberian refugee charged in the gang-rape of an 8-year-old girl will be sent to the juvenile system for therapy and released in less than three years, rather than face more than 25 years in prison if convicted as an adult, a Phoenix judge ruled Thursday.

The 15-year-old, whom The Associated Press is not naming because of his age, was 14 at the time of the July assault and had been the only one of four boys charged as an adult. All the children involved are refugees from the war-torn West African nation of Liberia.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Kemp decided to send the teen’s case to juvenile court Thursday, meaning he will undergo treatment and be released when he turns 18, possibly sooner.

[…..]

Kemp issued his ruling after listening to four days of testimony and arguments, which included the findings of several psychologists that the teen would be better off in the juvenile system. While prosecutors argued to keep the teen in the adult system, their expert witness said he should be in juvenile court.

Part of the lengthy testimony included a glimpse of the teen’s life before he and his family fled Liberia as a refugee and came to the U.S. For 10 years, he witnessed rape and murder, sometimes of his own family members, and constantly had to relocate to different refugee camps during Liberia’s civil war, according to the testimony.

[…..]

The case prompted an international outcry after police reported the girl’s father said she brought shame on the family and he didn’t want her back — comments a family pastor later said were misunderstood because of a language barrier.

State child welfare officials have custody of the girl. The girl’s 59-year-old father and 47-year-old mother are each charged with eight child abuse counts for abuse and neglect reports dating back to 2005. Those charges were filed in November.

Liberians are largely here on Temporary Protected Status and just last weekend participated in the March on America in Washington, DC, here.