American Immigrants
In 1843, my ancestors immigrated from Leek, Staffordshire, England to join the gathering of other Mormons in Nauvoo, Illinois. By 1846, the persecution against the Mormons was so heavy they were forced to leave their homes and community in order to save their lives. My third-great grandfather was a clerk for the church. He recorded their journey as they walked from Illinois to the western side of the Rocky Mountains where they would be safe to live the way they intended.
In July of 1847 they arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, or in other terms-- MEXICO. Yes, my ancestors immigrated from the United States to Mexico, but the land was mostly home to Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute and Ute Native American tribes at the time. Utah is a Ute word meaning "people of the mountains." Of course, in the rapidly changing geography of the west in the 1800s, it was only a short time before the land in which they settled became U.S. territory, but perhaps my fellow Latter-day Saints should consider their own roots before exposing any forms of xenophobia.
In July of 1847 they arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, or in other terms-- MEXICO. Yes, my ancestors immigrated from the United States to Mexico, but the land was mostly home to Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute and Ute Native American tribes at the time. Utah is a Ute word meaning "people of the mountains." Of course, in the rapidly changing geography of the west in the 1800s, it was only a short time before the land in which they settled became U.S. territory, but perhaps my fellow Latter-day Saints should consider their own roots before exposing any forms of xenophobia.
Living The American DREAM (Act)
From: dreamact.info
Over three million students graduate from U.S. high schools every year. Most get the opportunity to test their dreams and live their American story. However, a group of approximately 65,000 youth do not get this opportunity; they are smeared with an inherited title, an illegal immigrant. These youth have lived in the United States for most of their lives and want nothing more than to be recognized for what they are, Americans.
The DREAM Act is a bipartisan legislation ‒ pioneered by Sen. Orin Hatch [R-UT] and Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL] ‒ that can solve this hemorrhaging injustice in our society. Under the rigorous provisions of the DREAM Act, qualifying undocumented youth would be eligible for a 6 year long conditional path to citizenship that requires completion of a college degree or two years of military service.
If the DREAM Act were passed, it would add $329 billion to the economy by 2030. President Obama has vowed the pass the DREAM Act — a bill that provides a pathway to citizenship for young, undocumented students and service members — while candidate Romney has said he’d veto it. According to a joint report by the Center for American Progress and the Partnership for a New American Economy, passing the DREAM Act “would add $329 billion to the U.S. economy and create 1.4 million new jobs by 2030.”
Over three million students graduate from U.S. high schools every year. Most get the opportunity to test their dreams and live their American story. However, a group of approximately 65,000 youth do not get this opportunity; they are smeared with an inherited title, an illegal immigrant. These youth have lived in the United States for most of their lives and want nothing more than to be recognized for what they are, Americans.
The DREAM Act is a bipartisan legislation ‒ pioneered by Sen. Orin Hatch [R-UT] and Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL] ‒ that can solve this hemorrhaging injustice in our society. Under the rigorous provisions of the DREAM Act, qualifying undocumented youth would be eligible for a 6 year long conditional path to citizenship that requires completion of a college degree or two years of military service.
If the DREAM Act were passed, it would add $329 billion to the economy by 2030. President Obama has vowed the pass the DREAM Act — a bill that provides a pathway to citizenship for young, undocumented students and service members — while candidate Romney has said he’d veto it. According to a joint report by the Center for American Progress and the Partnership for a New American Economy, passing the DREAM Act “would add $329 billion to the U.S. economy and create 1.4 million new jobs by 2030.”