Presentation Transcript

1. Poverty and Immigration

   Current Issues
2. Poverty
3. In 2003, 12.5% of Americans were living below the poverty line. Poverty line in 2003 meant that a family of 4 was trying to live on $18,660 a year or less. Unemployment in the U.S. was at 25% during the Great Depression. Currently, 2009, unemployment in the U.S. is 9.6% and in Georgia it is 10.1%.
4. POVERTY AND OBESITY THE PICTURE OF POVERTY IN THE U.S. LOW-INCOME OVERWEIGHT ADULTS AND TEENS ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO LIVE IN POVERTY
5. Who are the poor? ELDERLY CHILDREN SINGLE PARENTS NEW IMMIGRANTS MINORITY GROUPS
6. FIVE OF THE TWENTY POOREST COUNTIES ARE FOUND IN NEBRASKA, FIVE IN TEXAS, AND FOUR IN SOUTH DAKOTA.
7. ADDRESSING POVERTY NEW DEAL – Created by FDR and included massive job programs that provided work for unemployed Americans during the Great Depression.
8. NEW DEAL PROGRAMS SOCIAL SECURITY – created by the Social Security Act of 1935 to give assistance to low-income, elderly Americans. Unemployment Insurance – part of the Social Security Act was to lessen the hardship of temporary job loss as well as help the economy by allowing unemployed men and women continue to by products and services.
9. Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) – payments to low-income families with children un 18, in which one or both parents were deceased, incapacitated, absent or unemployed. Ended in 1996 Public Housing – Passed in 1937 tried to eliminate slums and construct low-rent housing. Section 8 – added in 1974, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) subsidizes, or pays part of the rent for low-income tenants.
10. JOHNSON’S WAR ON POVERTY
11. No society could be great with poverty in its midst. GREAT SOCIETY – eliminate poverty by creating an economic ladder through vocational education and job training. Food Stamp Program – 1964, federal program that gives food stamps to needy people and families on the basis of their income level. Today, electronic debit cards are used instead of the stamps.
12. Medicaid and Medicare – 1965, federal-state partnership to provide free or subsidized medical care for low-income Americans of any age. Medicaid – helps the poor Medicare – helps the elderly.
13. Other Initiatives through the Years Minimum Wage Head Start Earned Income Tax Credit Supplemental Security Income
14. WELFARE REFORM 1996 – AFDC ends and becomes part of block grant money for states to use. Now called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) TANF requires adults receiving cash assistance find work within two years and receive benefits for no more than a total of five years in their lifetime.
15. OTHER OPTIONS WORK – many believe this is the best way to help low-income people become self-sufficient. FAITH-BASED CHARITIES – religious groups that use their own money to provide services to the neediest people in their communities.
16. IMMIGRATION 9/11/01 events put much stricter controls on immigration. Created the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security.
17. DEFINITIONS LEGAL IMMIGRANTS – come to the U.S. seeking permanent residence and get green cards. Can apply for U.S. citizenship after living her for five years
18. REFUGEES AND ASYLEES - come to the U.S. seeking protection from persecution in their home countries can apply for permanent residency after one year in the U.S.
19. Nonimmigrants – enter and exit the country legally with temporary visas Many illegal immigrants came to the U.S. legally but their visa expires and they stay, making them illegal immigrants. G.W. Bush wanted to all those who come over on guest worker passes to keep that status for three years and make it renewable. Some immigration is vital to the economy because it helps pay Social Security taxes to help future retirees.
20. IMMIGRATION AND TERRORISM PEOPLE WHO OVERSTAYED THEIR VISAS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR BOTH WORLD TRADE CENTER ATTACKS.
21. SOLUTIONS TIGHTENING RESTRICTIONS ON IMMIGRATION AND VISAS – immigrants began to face longer waits and extensive FBI background checks. TRACKING VISITORS, STUDENTS AND LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENTS – two of the 9/11 terrorists came to the U.S. on student visas, but never showed up for class.
22. ENFORCE a 1952 law that requires permanent residents to notify officials within ten days of changing their address or face deportation JANUARY 2004 the Dept. of Homeland Security implemented US-VISIT - a program photos and fingerprints are taken of all visitors to keep track of them and their movements.
23. DETENTION AND DEPORTATION Bush signed the Patriot Act in October 2001 – gave the government new powers to obtain personal information about U.S. citizens and immigrants and allows government officials to detain and hold foreign nationals considered threats to national security.
24. NAFTA NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT – there is a steady and economically important flow of goods and people across the northern and southern borders of the U.S.
25. CURRENTLY… Many Americans agree that immigration must be restricted as a matter of national security. Requiring all license holders to prove they are in the U.S. legally will disrupt terrorists travel ability. Advocates for immigrants suggest that immigrants play an important role in the U.S. economy and culture. Make up 14% of U.S. labor force Legal immigrants pay taxes: income, sales, gasoline, and Social Security. Illegal immigrants pay most of these too. Immigrants are willing to take low-paying, low-skill jobs that most Americans will not take.
26. Those opposed to immigration say immigrants Displace American workers Lower the standard of living Hurt the economy overall Immigrants and their American-born families tend to be poor meaning they utilize Low-income housing Education Welfare Medicaid Utilization of these things cancel out any positive effects on the U.S. economy.