immigration statistics

http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/yearbook/2007/ois_2007_yearbook.pdf
from this site:
http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/statistics/publications/yearbook.shtm

these stats:
about 11.8 million unauthorized immigrants in 2007
all following stats from 2007
1,052,415 persons obtaining legal permanent residence
48,217 refugee arrivals (p. 39)
1,383,275 petitions for naturalization filed
660,477 naturalized
89,683 denied citizenship (p.52)
960,756 deportable aliens found (p.95)
319,382 aliens removed
891,390 aliens returned
"removals are the compulsory and confirmed movement of an inadmissable or deported alien out of the United States based on an order of removal."
"returns are the confirmed movement of an inadmissable or deportable alien out of the United States not based on an order of removal."
99,924 aliens removed who were criminal
219,458 non criminal aliens removed (p. 102)


http://www.hnn.us/articles/49469.html (might be helpful....)
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis immigration mainpage


"DEPORTATION, according to the U.S. IMMIGRATION and Naturalization Service (INS), is 'the formal removal of an alien from the United States when the alien has been found removable for violating immigration laws.'Throughout the history of the United States individuals have been deported for such reasons as committing subversive acts against the government, fraudulently obtaining legal residency, and having a criminal record."
"The first step in deporting an alien is to issue an "Order to Show Cause." This document establishes the government's reasons for deporting the person in question. The alien is usually detained, although he or she can be released by posting bond. The alien is then scheduled to attend a HEARING before an immigration judge. The government is represented at these hearings by an attorney; the alien can also have legal representation, but it must be "at no expense to the government." In many jurisdictions, there are lawyers and legal agencies who will work for the alien for reduced fees or PRO BONO.The judge hears the EVIDENCE on both sides and makes a ruling, which can be appealed by both sides to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Once BIA makes this ruling, the losing side can appeal through federal courts, although the likelihood of an alien appealing would depend on his or her financial resources."
--http://www.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/deportation


"Generally, there are nine requirements:
An applicant for naturalization must be admitted to the United States as a "lawful permanent resident" commonly referred to as one who possesses "green card" status. There is only one exception to this requirement: If an applicant has served in the U.S. armed forces during war, that person may be naturalized without first becoming a permanent resident if they were in the U.S. upon induction or enlistment into our military.
Continuous residence in the U.S. for at least five years immediately preceding the applicant's filing for naturalization. Continuous residence is not the same thing as physically present here. That is, one must maintain their status as a "legal permanent resident" but not necessarily be physically inside the borders of the U.S. to accomplish that. For example, if one is overseas for a portion of this period, maintaining an address location and paying one's state and federal taxes may help ensure continuity of residence for this requirement. Also, if overseas for anymore than a few months, it may be advisable to obtain a "travel document" prior to departing. This may be done on INS Form I-131. Only three years "continuous residence" are required if the applicant is filing for naturalization based upon marriage.
Actual physical residence (within the state in which the petition is filed) during at least the three months immediately before filing for naturalization is another requirement.
Physical presence within the U.S. for a total of at least one half of the period of required continuous residence. That is, two and a half years for most applicants and one and a half years for spouses of U.S. Citizens.
The ability to read, write and speak ordinary English unless they are physically unable to do so due to a disability such as being blind or deaf, or suffer from a developmental disability or mental impairment. Those over 50 years old on the date of filing who have lived here for a total of at least 20 years after admission as a permanent resident and those who are over 55 and have been legal permanent residents for at least 15 years are also exempt from this requirement.
A basic understanding the fundamentals of U.S. history and government.
Good moral character and an affinity for the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Continuous residence (but not necessarily physical presence) in the U.S. from the date of filing the naturalization application up to the date of being sworn in as a citizen.
Applicants should be at least 18 years of age at the time of filing. Certain exceptions exist, however, for the children of other permanent residents who are seeking naturalization."
--http://immigration-law.freeadvice.com/citizenship/naturalization_requirements.htm

fyi

fyi -
that last post was all one post, but for some reason blogger wouldn't let me post it all as one. Who knows.

I plan to use this blog as a freewrite area as well as a dumping ground for any interesting links/images or factoids I find. I figure it will help me to keep track of them instead of trying to bookmark them and only have them on one computer etc... Ok, just thought I should explain.

Freewrite #1 Part 1

Ok, so I just got back from Christmas break and I had my first meeting with Jonathan. One of my assignments is to do a free write about my thesis to see if I can come to any interesting conclusions etc...

So as a summary of what my thesis is:
Dates: April 24th is the opening from 6-8pm and it will come down on May 8th. I am showing with Lily, Caity, and Suzy.
Medium: printed images hung on the wall accompanied by cut paper in various forms or found objects. (i'll explain later)
Title: Lost Lives, Missing, Left Out, Left Behind....
Number: Probably around 10? We'll see...
Size: I wanted them to be around 4 feet tall or so, but I don't know how practical that will be since 4 people will be thesising at once and their things all seem pretty large, but I will have to talk to them about size and space etc....

So the basic idea behind my thesis is that with all that is going on today, people are being lost in the system, left behind and just overall overlooked. Influenced by my theology classes, I have begun to take a closer look at events that are occurring outside of my personal life. In my past theology classes, we studied the effects humans are having on the environment, child soldiers, adoption problems, human trafficking, etc... That coupled with the recent election and economic crisis has really opened my eyes. The United States is in a hard position right now. Economically we are in a downturn that is causing a lot of people to turn inwards and only think on their best interests. We are in the middle of a war that is draining our precious resources. People are being too stubborn and don't realize that some of what they do hurts others - i.e. environmentally and with the laws against gay/lesbian etc...United States has a problem with believing that we are the best country on earth. Although I am proud to be an American and consider myself lucky to live in a country with so much opportunity at hand and free thinking as its basis, I feel that American's can't be so cocky. America has its fair share of problems. I feel that most people have become frustrated with either the political process and/or the problems and feel that they either don't need to pay attention or participate. The first thing I feel that needs to happen is for people to start discussing what is going on as well as become aware of the problems. From that discussion and awareness, I think people will be called to action and will begin to find some answers and solutions.

Freewrite #1 Part 2

For my thesis, I want to take statistics that people most likely already know (i.e. how many american lives have been lost in the war...) and pair them with an iconic american image. I will pixelate the image and then take out a percentage of the pixels based on the statistic. The pixels that I remove will then be presented in a way that further illustrates/makes the point.
For example, going with the war theme - The statistic will be that 1 in 4 (or 25%) of soldiers either die in Iraq or return injured. I would therefore removed a random 25% of the "pixels" from the image. The image, in this case, would be something that represents American military prowess - i.e. uncle sam. The image (minus the pixels) itself would be displayed on the wall. I would then take the pixels that were cut out and manipulate them in a way that reflects what happens to the those people that are lost. For example, after death, all that consists of your life can fit into a shoe box. So, I would put all of the pixels in a shoebox. Possibly manipulating them further - i.e. injuring or putting holes in them (i.e. bullet holes).
I would do this process for a range of topics. These are the image/statistic pairings I came up with for the senior night thing:

*Statue of Liberty – ”Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” vs. The % of immigrants denied citizenship. the number of illegal immigrants who are deported yearly...
*Uncle Sam – “I want YOU “ vs. The % of families with a member overseas/dead.
*Rosie the Riveter – “We Can Do It” vs. % of women turned into single mothers from the war. Or % of people who are currently holding multiple jobs because of the economy or a statistic about unequal pay between men and women.
*The Dollar Bill– economy – American superiority vs. the % of people on welfare or the multiple jobs at minimum wage. The poverty line.
*Lady Justice – Justice is Blind vs. The % of couples denied marriage because they are homosexual.
*Nasa imagery – American development and endeavors vs. The % of the world’s resources the US uses or the % of Americans that don’t believe in Global Warming.
*Healthcare symbol or Norman Rockwell’s “The Check Up” – Healthcare vs. The % of Americans who cannot afford healthcare or the % of deaths that could have been prevented with proper healthcare.
*The Flag - American Pride – The Union of America vs. The % of people hurt/killed from hate crimes.
*50’s ads - (perfect American Family) vs. % of people affected by domestic violence.
*Pledge of Allegiance – Education vs. the % of students who drop out or the % of students who are below No Child Left Behind standards.
*More Imagery I am thinking about - Liberty Bell (Freedom), Eagle (Courage), “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit,” “We the People”

Freewrite #1 Part 3

On senior night, one of the critiques that stuck with me is that Kelly and Suzanne mentioned that they did not see me in this. It lacked a personal touch or mark of my artistic ability. Although the process is relatively simple and does not employ what I have learned from my other arts disciplines, I feel that the concept behind it is what is important. I am already slightly worried about the clarity of my thesis, and so I feel that if I tried to add other elements into it, it would get too busy and overdone and very hard to read. I want my thesis to be a simple, edited message that sparks dialogue. Since I am in a printmaking class right now, Suzanne seems like she wants me to work on some things that would complement my thesis. Possibly, if there is room, I could incorporate those as a side note or something. I am not sure 1 - if there will be room since I am thesising with three other people and that 2 - if that would seem too disjointed and a leap from one style to the next. I feel like what I have chosen to do for my thesis does speak to my style as a designer. It is simple and clean. I have also frequently tried to add different dimensions etc... into my work (i.e. my book covers were double layered that were cut into to display the layer and quotes beneath). I feel like this is growth along the same lines as my past work.
Speaking of my book covers, maybe I could kind of incorporate that idea into my thesis. The image would be on one layer, with another layer underneath with text making it slightly clearer as to the message. Or maybe that could go on the back of the pixels. I don't know if that would be too trite or in the viewer's face, but it is worth playing with.

My fears/hesitations of the moment:
-not being able to find the statistics that I need
-the images either becoming too obscured and hard to visually read
-the entire thing becoming too hard to understand or comprehend (which could be remedied with my artist statement, however I don't want my work to be so obscure that it is totally illegible without my statement).