What Does The Past Teach Us About The Current Immigration Debate?
Our top 3 takeaways from a conversation with librarian and historian at the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island, Barry Moreno.
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Now You Know
Now You Know
“Illegal Immigration” hasn’t ALWAYS existed.
There was a time in America when “illegal immigration” did not exist.
If you wanted to come to America, you could travel with ease.
After the Civil War, the Federal Government became more powerful and this set the stage for more centralized immigration reform.
Now You Know
Immigration: A State Issue
- Ellis Island opened in 1892
- First federal facility for immigration in American history.
- Symbolizes the first major move by federal govt to regulate (and profit from) immigration.
- Immigration previously managed by individual states and cities. In fact the nation’s first immigration center ever was in NYC – “Castle Gardens.”
Now You Know
Children: Immigration
- 17-year-old Annie Moore = first immigrant processed at Ellis Island in Jan 1, 1892.
- Native of Ireland.
- Traveled with her 2 younger brothers to meet parents in NYC.
- If parents/child detained at Ellis Island, they stayed with their mother – as long as they were under 16-yrs-old – in the women’s ward.
Now You Know
We asked Mr. Moreno what historical context he feels is often missing from current conversations on immigration - His answer may surprise you! Read More:
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Quick Quotes
“It’s been almost 100 years since anybody has reorganized the government on this scale.”
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“I’m directing HHS, DHS, DOJ to work together to keep illegal immigrant families together during the immigration process and reunite these previously separated groups.”
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“…a game changer for the experience. You can literally go from curb to plane without having to interact with a human being if you so desire.”
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“He has to see the head of state. Putting his foot on the ground of British soil, it’s job one.”
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Watch Now“Legit bawling like a baby right now. This news just breaks my heart.”
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TGIF... amirite people?!
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Current Events
ECONOMIC SWAGGER
A revved up U.S. economy has given President Trump the ammo he needs to pull no punches on trade.
What to know as China & Europe prepare to hit back.
Tit for tat trade War
Current Events
Where Things Stand Now
- US will slap a 25% tariff (or tax) on $50B in imports from China.
- China hinted at retaliation, but Trump threatened even more tariffs, up to 90% of all Chinese goods imported to US ($450B).
- US says it has no choice after failed negotiations to alter China’s “unfair practices.”
- Tariffs make US-made goods cheaper vs. imports.
Current Events
“China does have much more to lose than we do.”
Peter Navarro, Trump trade adviser
- With Trump’s latest threat of $450B in tariffs, China can now no longer issue a proportional response.
- US buys nearly 4 times as much from China as it sells to us. (Translation: China needs the US.)
- That said, China’s $13T economy, can turn to other countries to sell its goods.
Current Events
“Mr. Trump seems to be counting on the fact that China will soon run out of room to retaliate… This could prove to be a miscalculation.”
Current Events
And It’s Not Just China…
- US businesses have to pay a 25% tax on steel or 10% tax on aluminum when they import them from the EU, Mexico & Canada.
- In retaliation, the EU is set Friday to slap tariffs on $3.4B in American products (i.e. whiskey, motorcycles, peanuts & cranberries.)
Current Events
The US economy is on track to expand at the fastest rate in more than a decade, but fears of a trade war have sent stocks to the longest losing streak in 15 months. If stocks end lower Friday, it will be worst 9-day streak since 1978. Goldman Sachs says buckle up.
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Health
Want To Stay Healthy?
Put a ring on it.
New study says marriage may factor into your heart health.
If you like it...flip!
Health
What To Know
- 80% of heart disease risk is “baked in” – genetics, diet, age.
- Half of all Americans have a risk for heart disease.
- 20% heart disease = a mystery.
- Study examined marriage as a factor by looking at data from previous studies.
- Data: married people have less heart disease than others.
Health
Why Marriage?
Results same for married vs single, divorced OR widowed.
- Security: Married people may seek medical help sooner (they have someone around to nag them to go to the doctors OR to see changes in behavior).
- Economic: Couples may have better joint income & therefore, better healthcare.
Health
Researchers say this topic needs more research. They admit they did not focus on the quality of marriage or long term relationships either. BTW - Marriage rates have declined in America, but Tiffany's sales of engagement rings are UP. Check it out:
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From The President’s Desk
Executive Order
“Keep Families Together”
The President takes action on immigration as lawmakers struggle to find compromise. But even as Pres. Trump signed the order, he predicted a legal battle ahead – a similar battle confronted by the Obama Admin.
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From The President’s Desk
What We Know:
- Trump’s exec order will not change “zero tolerance” policy – govt will charge all who cross the border illegally.
- However, it ends separations by keeping families together in detention centers, run with the help of Dept of Defense.
- It does leave room to separate children from family, but only if it’s in the child’s best interests.
From The President’s Desk
Legal Trouble Ahead?
- A 1997 court order & related decisions said immigrants under 18 cannot be detained for longer than 20 days.
- Trump’s executive order is written ordering AG Sessions to go before a federal judge to “modify” this agreement to allow more time for “criminal proceedings.”
- TBD what L.A.-based Federal Judge Dolly Gee will rule.
From The President’s Desk
Past As Precedent?
“A federal judge, Dolly M. Gee, scuttled the Obama team’s efforts to jail families together in 2015 when she ruled that doing so violated the agreement and said migrant children couldn’t be held more than 20 days.”
From The President's Desk
The President's Executive Order doesn’t change the status of children already separated. That’s TBD.
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Current Events
BIG PICTURE
More than 2300 children have been separated from adults who illegally crossed the border.
What do we know about these children? Who are they? And who has come before?
What We Know
Current Events
“As children are separated from their families, law enforcement agents reclassify them from members of family units to “unaccompanied alien children.” Federal officials said Tuesday that since May, they have separated 2,342 children from their families, rendering them unaccompanied minors in the government’s care.”
Current Events
Where Are They From?
- Most current data: Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras & El Salvador (in this order).
- Majority of families apprehended crossing the border illegally this year are from Guatemala & Honduras.
- Last year, the majority of unaccompanied children from: Guatemala, El Salvador & Mexico.
Current Events
Something To Consider
- Some of the data between U.S. Border Patrol & Office of Refugee Resettlement differs.
- U.S. Border Patrol deals with apprehensions, Office of Refugee Resettlement cares for children *when they stay in govt custody*.
- Unaccompanied children = anyone younger than 18.
Current Events
Age & Gender
- Most recent data from 2017 for children unaccompanied *or* separated who stayed in govt custody.
- Majority over the age of 15 (69%).
- 68% Male vs. 32% Female.
- This doesn’t reflect current data on “separated children” but these trends hold for the past 5 years.
Current Events
How Many “Unaccompanied Alien Children” Have Come?
- More than 32,000 so far this year (Oct 2017 – May 2018).
- 2017: 40,631
- 2016: 58,819
- 2015: 39,399
Current Events
Fingerpointing vs. Facts. We used the only available government data for these cards. Read more for an interesting look at which states have the most sponsor families for these children.
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Now You Know
GOING TO POT?
Canada becomes the 2nd nation in the world to legalize marijuana – will the U.S. follow suit?
New signs suggest the existing U.S. federal ban against marijuana could become a ban against the federal gov’t interfering in states where it’s legal.
Now You Know
The (many) marijuana laws of the land:
- In 1996, CA became 1st state to legalize medical marijuana.
- In 1998, medical marijuana was legal in 5 states. By 2008, that number nearly tripled. Today, it is legal in 29 states + DC.
- In 2012, Colorado & Washington became 1st states to legalize recreational marijuana. Today, it is legal in 9 states + DC.
Now You Know
Marijuana: State vs. Feds
Marijuana is illegal under federal law. But, as more states began to legalize it within their borders, the federal gov’t shifted its focus away from prosecuting *most* marijuana-related crimes in situations where there is compliance with state laws.
Instead, opting to focus on “serious drug traffickers while taking into account state and local laws.”
Now You Know
Policy Change?
- January 2018: Atty General Jeff Sessions rescinded Obama-era policies that eased enforcement of federal marijuana laws, instead opting for a tougher stance.
- June 2018: Just last week, Pres. Trump indicated he is willing to loosen the federal blanket ban on marijuana in states where it is legal.
Now You Know
Something To Consider:
- Pres. Trump did NOT say he will end the federal ban on marijuana.
- However, he DID say he is willing to support a federal bipartisan bill, which would ease enforcement of the federal ban on marijuana in states where it’s legal.
- The bill would NOT legalize marijuana on the federal level or force states to take any action.
Now You Know
Po$$ible motivation? Economic Benefits. According to one cannabis analytics firm, sales from medical & recreational cannabis will reach $11.7B in 2018 and $25B in 7 years.
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Quick Quotes
“Trump is playing chicken with China. It will be important and telling to see how this plays out.”
Quick Quotes
“To watch those families broken apart in real time puts to us a very simple question: are we a nation that accepts the cruelty of ripping children from their parents’ arms, or are we a nation that values families, and works to keep them together?”
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“In obedience I accept the decision of The Holy See, that I no longer exercise any public ministry.”
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“…my parents are abusive. They abuse us, and my two little sisters right now are chained up.”
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“It’s mobile first. It’s simple and it’s quality. That’s IGTV.”
Quick Quotes
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Now You Know
PHONE OR REMOTE?
In a first — next year, people around the world will spend more time online than watching TV.
Except in America. For now.
Why & Why It Matters
Now You Know
THE FINDINGS
- In 2019, people around the world, will spend 170.6 mins/day online vs. 170.3 mins/day watching TV.
- Change happening faster than expected: just last year, data co. Zenith predicted TV would still be #1 in 2019.
- However, in America, internet usage isn’t expected to top TV until 2020. TVs prolific in 96.5% of American households.
Now You Know
Why it Matters
- Zenith’s findings cement the fact that globally more people are using phones than ever before with major economic & business ramifications.
- In fact, online advertisers are expected to outspend TV advertisers by $40B this year & $60B next year.
Can't live without?
Now You Know
Earlier this year, Pew Research found about a quarter of Americans are online "almost constantly." Which would be harder for you to give up: your phone or TV? See what most Americans said by clicking here:
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Quick Quotes
“We want a country with heart, but when people come up they have to know they can’t get in. Otherwise, it’s never going to stop.”
Quick Quotes
“Markets are responding to all of the rhetoric with the trade war. A lot of what we’re seeing may be negotiating tactics, but it’s just going to be a choppy ride due to this concern.”
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“a protector of human rights abusers, and a cesspool of political bias.”
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“I couldn’t think of a more fitting change.”
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“extensive and damaging sabotage to our operations.”
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Have a great day!
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On This Day
Lady Liberty Arrives
June 19, 1885
The Statue of Liberty arrives into New York Harbor. Although 12M immigrants passed under her gaze, she was delivered (and constructed) years before Ellis Island opened.
On This Day
How Did Liberty Arrive?
- 350 separate pieces; 214 crates.
- A decade late. France wanted to gift “Liberty Enlightening the World” for the centennial of the Declaration of Independence (1776). Lack of funds held back production. Eventually both USA/FR raised enough $$ through charity, lottery, donation etc.
On This Day
Liberty & Immigration
- Statue of Liberty fully constructed in 1886; immigration wasn’t sole focus of statue, but celebration of American democracy overall.
- Ellis Island Immigration Station opened in 1892.
- Famous Lazarus poem “Give me your tired, your poor” written in 1883 and engraved on base 10 years later in 1903.
On This Day
"Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles" READ FULL POEM:
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Quick Quotes
CLICK: SmartHer Facts“Illegal actions have and must have consequences. No more free passes, no more get out of jail free cards.”
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“Sometimes truth transcends party.”
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“In defending America, it is not enough to merely have an American presence in space, we must have American dominance in space…. We are going to have the Air Force, and we are going to have the Space Force.”
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CLICK: FULL STORY“Researchers estimate that birds & mammals harbor anywhere from 631K to 827K unknown viruses that could potentially leap into humans.”
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“I thought it would be a nice way of improving my look well, obviously that all went to hell. I feel bad about it. I apologized for it…. That was a mistake.”
Quick Quotes
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