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Oath of Citizenship to Oath of OfficeImmigrants are finding their way to the Statehouse--as students of democracy, as voters and as elected members. By Ann Morse
Providing a Public Service
A hundred years ago, millions of immigrants came to the United States seeking economic opportunity and political freedom. Governments, businesses, social clubs, labor unions and owners of settlement houses stepped in to create English and civics classes. This campaign to help the immigrants assimilate to their new country reinforced America's national identity and became known as the "Americanization" movement. Today, with immigration levels approaching those of the early 1900s, public leaders are again seeking ways to encourage America's newcomers to embrace American values. In its 1997 report, "Becoming an American: Immigration and Immigrant Policy," the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform reiterated its call for a renewed commitment to civic education and civic responsibility for immigrants in America. In 2005, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services launched a national campaign to encourage foreign-born residents to learn about their rights and responsibilities. A number of immigrants have done that and more. They've run for and been elected to represent the people of their state. At least 79 state legislators have emigrated from more than 30 different countries. Providing a Public Service An immigrant from Lebanon, Representative Selim Noujaim of Connecticut came to the United States after falling in love with an American woman. Although he spoke no English when he arrived, he became a successful businessman and active member of his community. In 2002, he won election to the legislature with the goal of helping businesses and protecting seniors. Most recently, he's been helping a new Albanian community become acclimated and self-sufficient. "The best way for immigrants to thrive is not to give them a handout but to help them help themselves. Immigrants should be an asset to the community, and they should not sit on the sidelines," he says. A desire for better education for her children led Representative Swati Dandekar to overcome her reluctance to enter politics. Born in India, she moved to Iowa in 1973 to join her husband, and finally decided to run for the school board. "We live in a global economy, and need a strong curriculum," she says. Dandekar was elected to the Iowa Statehouse in 2002 and says civic education has become even more important to her since. She helped unanimously pass legislation that created a commission to help Asians0 and Pacific Islanders, one of the state's fastest-growing populations. The Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage operates with public and private funds that pay for staff time and an office. Its nine members advise the governor and the General Assembly on issues confronting Iowa's Asian Americans. The commission serves as a conduit to state government for Asian and Pacific Islander organizations in Iowa and is supervising the development of trade materials to help Iowa exporters. Dandekar says the commission's activities will ultimately help minorities become involved in politics and be part of the process. Learning about Democracy This "political disconnect" can hold immigrants back from achieving integration. Refugee communities often don't participate in politics because of a fear of government or an unwillingness to voice concerns or make additional requests of the country that has welcomed them. State legislators are helping to bridge this gap. Representative Hoon-Yung Hopgood of Michigan is constantly on the road encouraging Asian-Pacific Americans to become more active in civic life. Adopted from Korea when he was 19 months old, he grew up in a political family and decided to run for office himself. "Immigrant communities often feel overlooked and underrepresented," he observes. He helps them make the connections between their lives and what government does, and to teach young people how to become candidates. Virginia Senator Jeannemarie Devolites represents a diverse immigrant district in Fairfax, Va. Born on an Air Force Base in England to immigrant parents, she recognizes the need for newcomers to organize themselves and develop strong leaders. With limited resources to effectively reach the diverse, multilingual communities in Fairfax, Devolites believes it is even more important for community leaders to embrace civic education and build bridges with elected representatives. "We need to do a better job of encouraging citizenship and involvement in government-that would be a giant step in the right direction," she says. Lessons from the Capitol California Assemblyman Leland Yee believes the best way for elected officials to understand the immigrant community is to reach out and invite immigrants to be part of the legislative staff. It's also important for lawmakers to participate in the social, political, and cultural events of the ethnic communities they represent, and to take the time to understand the culture, he says. "I come from a generation where politics was not something one aspired to do," Yee says. An immigrant from China, he became the first Asian Pacific American to be appointed California speaker pro tem in 2004. Policymakers tend to pay attention to those who advocate the hardest, but the immigrant community has not been very engaged, and therefore sees few results, he says. Immigrants need to realize this is their tax money, the education of their children, their quality of life, and their children's future. "They must get involved, become citizens, vote, support candidates and run for office," he says. Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez of Maryland represents both new and old immigrant residents, and those with long ties to the social community, "but none to the political community," she says. "I am trying to give them a voice and support their political involvement." Originally from El Salvador, Gutierrez served eight years on her local school board aiming to improve education for the changing student population before deciding that even more important decisions were made at the state level. She tries to give political voice to her ethnically and racially diverse district through culturally sensitive old-style campaigning-voter registration, voter education and outreach. By walking the neighborhoods and running targeted campaigns directed at both Latino and Anglo communities, she drums up political involvement from newcomers. Constant communication, through Latino media outlets, nonprofits and town meetings, and focusing on the community's priorities, she says, will accomplish results and encourage future political participation. Her advice to legislators-"Move out of your comfort zone. Meet your constituents where they live." Global Legislatures Bridging the Gap
Ann Morse is NCSL's immigration expert in the D.C. office. She staffs NCSL's Immigrant Policy Project, funded by The Carnegie Corporation of New York. For more information and to get the report "Immigrants to Citizens: A Guide for State Legislators," see www.ncsl.org/programs/immig.
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