Immigration and Immigrant Integration Course Descriptions
Below are the program descriptions for some of the immigration and immigrant integration courses offered in Cook County by the University of Illinois Extension.
If you are interested in having one or more of these courses, or a related workshop offered at your community organization, church, workplace, library, school, or other location, please contact us.
American Government and How to Become a Great Citizen Do we want U.S. Permanent Residents just to become citizens, or as a nation, do we want them to become good citizens?
This is the question addressed by a new 60 hour (typically meets for 10 weeks twice a week for 3 hours) University of Illinois Extension course: "American Government and How to Become a Great Citizen."
Unlike other courses which focus on helping students memorize the questions required to pass the naturalization test, the UIUC Extension course helps participants learn American history, government, and geography, while simultaneously gaining an understanding of the important themes, values, and ideals consistent throughout American history that have shaped our nation and continue to be relevant today.
These themes include the idea that citizens can and should have a voice in government, the concepts of citizen participation as an important part of the system of checks and balances, the idea of natural or inalienable rights which motivated the colonists to seek independence and spurred the civil rights movement, and the principles of freedom and democracy. Students learn that people have a responsibility to become active in their community --and their country as this is the ultimate check on governmental power. They learn the important role that ordinary people play in a democracy.
This unique class also helps students learn the importance of staying informed about current issues, the conflict that sometimes exist between competing democratic values, and how citizens can participate in governmental processes at the local, state, and federal level. In fact, students engage in a "direct democracy" exercise where they learn how to find out who their elected official is, and how to write to express their views on issues of concern to them, or how to make public comments on proposed regulatory changes.
This all inclusive course also walks students through the naturalization process from the eligibility requirements for U.S. Naturalization, potential issues that may disqualify an applicant, how to complete the N-400, through the biometrics process, the exam, the interview, and even what to expect at the oath ceremony.
Thus, students in this course, not only learn the questions and answers for the old and the new version of the citizenship test, but they understand the information on which those questions are based. They also learn not just how to become citizens; they learn how to become great citizens!
The goals of this course are to:
Teach immigrants about American Government and how they can participate so they can both successfully pass the naturalization exam and become good citizens.
Increase student's knowledge of the levels of government and where to go for assistance.
Increase students knowledge of how to interact appropriately with government officials and how to get involved in their community
Increase student's knowledge of naturalization requirements and how they can apply so they can apply for and successfully complete the naturalization process
English for Citizenship This course teaches the same content as covered in the American Government and How to Become a Great Citizen course, but it is designed for individuals who may have low English proficiency or low literacy. It is designed for students who have some English proficiency, but who may need additional practice. The course also teaches students the vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, listening comprehension, and reading skills necessary to become an American Citizen.
American Government and Citizenship for Seniors This course is designed to help Lawful Permanent Resident seniors who want to take the Citizenship exam to understand American History, Government, and Civics, to help them understand the special eligibility rules and processes that apply to them, and also includes more repetition and practice for those who may have difficulty learning. The content is similar to that in the "American Government and How to Become a Great Citizen Course," but the practice exercises are geared to the easier test that qualifying seniors may take.
Immigrant Leadership and Civic Engagement (Course meets once a week for 3 hours for 12 Weeks) Immigrant Service Organizations across Cook County address important issues affecting their communities including discrimination, misunderstandings about their cultures or religion, and even issues affecting immigrant women such as domestic abuse, and human trafficking. Unfortunately, they may lack the skills to effectively communicate their message, educate their American counterparts about their ethnic community and the facts about immigration, recruit volunteers, or set up effective organizations.
The UIUC Extension has developed a skills based training program to help the staff of immigrant service organizations develop leadership skills to help them with their community education and outreach efforts. This course is designed to teach immigrants and immigrant service providers how to effectively participate in their community.
The course is designed to help immigrant service and community based organizations to:
Understand the importance of organizational branding and publicity for outreach, development, and creating name recognition for funding, civic engagement, and education.
Understand the 12 actions that make a great immigrant leader and how to practice these actions;
Help participants understand governmental processes, how to identify issues of interest to the community, and which level of government to approach to secure needed changes. Develop understanding of political issues and dynamics in the United States so participants can become more effective in advocating for change when needed and providing input to decision makers;
Develop the skills necessary to be effective advocates and become active participants in their community and beyond;
Teach specific skills needed to be effective community builders, advocates, and leaders taking cultures of immigrants into consideration. Understand cross cultural and Immigration issues that impact the communities they serve and in which they exist;
Develop the participants' skills in running meetings, group leadership, outreach, public speaking, and press conferences so that their communities will be more effective. This will help participants become more effective in conducting education and outreach events;
Develop participants skills in recruiting, selecting, hiring, and motivating volunteers;
Develop participant's skills in using a community based approach to organizing and using internal community resources first before seeking outside expertise and funding to insure community control and participation for sustained commitment.
To help the immigrant community served by organizational participants speak on its own behalf regarding community concerns and begin to navigate US government institutions such as local governments, law enforcement, schools, social service systems, and employers.
"One Heart – Two Cultures: Parenting in a Bi-Cultural Family" is a 12 week course that meets once a week for ten weeks and helps immigrant parents deal with parenting issues from a bi-cultural perspective incorporating an understanding of the pressures faced by mixed immigration status families. Course topics include:
What is Culture
American Culture
Remembering Family History and Culture
What misconceptions or cultural conflicts cause conflict at home and in school?
Role of cultural differences in raising a child in two cultures
Understanding Child Growth and Development
Building Self Esteem
Parent child communication in bi-cultural families
Tips for Successful Parenting for Immigrant parents
Guiding Your Children to Make Healthy and Good Choices
Helping your child deal with peer pressure and bullying
When is it culture and when is it bad behavior Raising Children in the USA
Methods of Discipline in Different Cultures and Handling Disciplinary Issues
Importance of Fathers
Family Rules Assessment in Bi-cultural families
Building Strong Relationships with your kids, the school, and your community
Helping Your child learn at home: Helping to insure your child's academic success in a new culture.
Preparing bi-cultural children early for college.
Immigrant Leadership and Civic Engagement Immigrant Service Organizations across Cook County address important issues affecting their communities including discrimination, misunderstandings about their cultures or religion, and even issues affecting immigrant women such as domestic abuse, and human trafficking. Unfortunately, they may lack the skills to effectively communicate their message, educate their American counterparts about their ethnic community and the facts about immigration, recruit volunteers, or set up effective organizations.
The UIUC Extension has developed a skills based training program to help the staff of immigrant service organizations develop leadership skills to help them with their community education and outreach efforts. This course is designed to teach immigrants and immigrant service providers how to effectively participate in their community.
The course is designed to help immigrant service and community based organizations to:
Understand the importance of organizational branding and publicity for outreach, development, and creating name recognition for funding, civic engagement, and education.
Understand the 12 actions that make a great immigrant leader and how to practice these actions;
Help participants understand governmental processes, how to identify issues of interest to the community, and which level of government to approach to secure needed changes. Develop understanding of political issues and dynamics in the United States so participants can become more effective in advocating for change when needed and providing input to decision makers;
Develop the skills necessary to be effective advocates and become active participants in their community and beyond;
Teach specific skills needed to be effective community builders, advocates, and leaders taking cultures of immigrants into consideration. Understand cross cultural and Immigration issues that impact the communities they serve and in which they exist;
Develop the participants' skills in running meetings, group leadership, outreach, public speaking, and press conferences so that their communities will be more effective. This will help participants become more effective in conducting education and outreach events;
Develop participants skills in recruiting, selecting, hiring, and motivating volunteers;
Develop participant's skills in using a community based approach to organizing and using internal community resources first before seeking outside expertise and funding to insure community control and participation for sustained commitment.
To help the immigrant community served by organizational participants speak on its own behalf regarding community concerns and begin to navigate US government institutions such as local governments, law enforcement, schools, social service systems, and employers.
A Tapestry of Cultures: Immigration and Culture in the United States (for grades 6-12) This course is designed to teach youth about immigration and its importance in the United States, to help them understand the cultures brought to our community by the many immigrant groups who have settled here, to understand why people come to the United States, to understand the history of the United States as a nation of immigrants, and to get an understanding about why this is such a hot topic. The curriculum changes somewhat for 9-12 graders and can be adapted to meet your program objectives. Below is an outline used for 6-8 grade classes. The course can be taught after school, or as part of a social studies class. Although this course stands alone, Dr. Magane Koshimura has a course introducing K-6 children about cultures which gives a great foundation on concept of culture and introduces children to the world.
1) Introduction to the Course a) What is a tapestry? b) What is Culture? c) What are some differences between cultures? d) Myths and facts about immigrants and about Americans (Part I) d) berka experience
2) Our Immigrant Past a) Who were the first immigrants? b) The Declaration of Independence and the fight for open immigration c) Where are Chicagoans From? (includes some math activities) d) Packing your suitcase activity e) Where did your family come from and why?
Interviewing and videotaping (contingent on availability of equipment)
What was going on in the world when your immigrant ancestors came to America?
Shadow boxes
Family history books
3) How our families cultural past influences us today a) Family Traditions b) Generational Differences in Culture c) Seeing through another's lens: How to bridge cultural differences in your family and in your community
4) American Immigrants-Making a Difference a) Sakena Yacoobi b) Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa c) Edwidge Danticat (author-Haiti) d) I.M. Pei, Architect (Architect-China) e) Isabel Allende (author-Chile) f) Itzhak Perlman (Vioilinist-Israel) g) Bette Bao Lord h) Salma Hayek Jimenez i) U.S. Senator Mel Martinez
5) Reasons why Immigrants Come to America a) Push-Pull Factor
family based immigration
economic immigrants
political asylees
catastrophic events
b) immigrants versus non-immigrants c) Types of Immigrants d) how the U.S. Immigration System Works
6) What is the debate all about
Researching the pro-legalization side
Researching the anti-immigrant side
Hot Seat Activity
7) Myths and Facts About Immigrants (Part II)
Parenting for Success: The U.S. Educational System for Immigrant Parents The Importance of Involvement by Immigrant Parents The Chicago Council on Foreign Relations 2004 Report entitled "Keeping the Promise: Immigration from the Heartland," reports that "For most children, the integration experience occurs through their schools, where they are exposed to the English language and American culture on a daily basis. One in five children in U.S. schools today is the child of an immigrant, and one in four low-income children is the child of an immigrant. By 2010 more than 30 percent of school-age children will be the children of immigrants. However, the percentage of LEP students in Illinois has doubled since the mid- 1980s, and 85 percent of the parents of foreign-born LEP students are themselves…Education is the single most critical factor that will determine the success of this next generation in terms of integration and future economic and social mobility. All parties must ensure it receives the attention it deserves."
Children benefit from the understanding and involvement of their immigrant parents in their education through
increased language achievement
improved overall school behavior
improved parent-child relationships
improved home-school relationships and
decreased drop out rates
Additionally, meaningful parent participation results in benefits to parents and children that extend beyond the individual school. Parents, who participate in joint efforts with schools, develop increased self confidence, have more positive attitudes towards schools and staff, help gather support in the community for their schools, and enroll in other educational programs.
A Special Program The University of Illinois Extension in Cook County has developed a free 12-14 week course to teach immigrant parents about the US educational system, and to encourage parental involvement in their children's education. This course normally meets once a week for 3 hours. The course is designed to:
Increase parents understanding of the US Educational systems, and the value of education for their children.
Increase students' knowledge of the types and levels of education and where to go for assistance.
Increase students' knowledge of how to interact appropriately with school officials and how to get involved in their child's school.
Increase student's knowledge of school standards and child development and how they can help their children with their education at home and through involvement in the school.
Maintain and/or improve parental involvement in their children's education.
Teach parents how to help their children on specific subjects in a meaningful way.
This includes the following topics:
How the U.S. Educational System Works (including types and levels of education and other options)
School Standards and where to find them
How to Interact with School Officials
Where to go for Assistance
Stages of Child Development (Development of the Whole Child, Language Development in Babies, Toddlers and Preschool Age Children, Development at other stages)
Ages and Stages of Child Development
This session focuses on the physical, social, emotional and intellectual milestones that children can be expected to reach at different ages. Parents are divided into groups to discuss their children's development at different ages. They will use the experiences, challenges and successes they have had raising their children to discuss the implications of these developmental milestones on the decisions we make every day as parents and educators. The goal is that parent participants will leave the session with an increased number of strategies to deal with their children in ways that effectively mesh with their children's current and future developmental stages.
What parents should know about Kindergarten Expectations
What parents need to know to prepare their children for Kindergarten
How to Help Prepare Your Child on an On-Going Basis at each level of education with special emphasis on Pre-K and K-5 on areas such as:
Math (Early math experiences, school expectations, supplementing school lessons at home)
Science (Plants)
Science (Animals)
Reading
Civics/Character Development and Developing a Sense of Social Responsibility
Forming Healthy Habits (My Body/My Health)
Health needs of the elementary school child: This would include information on Immunization Schedule, physicals, dental exams, vision tests, and hygiene (hand washing, bathing, oral hygiene, lice, etc.)
Healthy Habits: Eating, physical activity, oral hygiene, hand washing, and sleeping habits.
Talking to your kids about sex and sexuality.
What to expect during adolescence.
We may also invite someone from the Department of Human Services to speak about the state funded healthcare programs.
Learning About the World
Teaching Children About Immigration
Dealing with Behavior Problems That Affect Learning-Where to Get Help
Dealing with issues relating to immigration status (if someone asks about immigration status-short presentation/what financial aid options are available to students with various immigration statuses (ex: U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, Refugees, Asylees, individuals with pending applications, etc.)
Thinking About College This session focuses on what children need to do to begin preparing for college, even at very early ages, and what parents can do to be a constant support for their children's efforts. We will discuss issues such as the importance of academic preparation in and out of the classroom, understanding the right classes to take, researching colleges and universities, the college selection and application process as well as the ins-and-outs of financial aid. The goal is that parent participants will leave the session with an improved understanding of why college is increasingly important in our society and with strategies on how they can support their children at every age level to increase their chances of being accepted to a college or university.
There will not be the same educator there every week. The following educators will co-teach this program:
Annette Vitale-Salajanu, MPA, Immigration Educator (Coordinator)Oyewole Ajifolokun, Ph.D. Small Animal Health Educator Horticulture Educator Magane Koshimura, Ph.D. Global Citizenship Educator Sonia Lopez, MPH Community Health Educator Karen Meyer, M.Ed. Science and Technology Educator Eric Werge, MA, Early College Outreach Educator
Immigrant Rights and Responsibilities It is vital that immigrants understand their rights and responsibilities.
If they do not understand their rights and responsibilities, this in turn can lead to feelings of helplessness and alienation. As a result, these new members of our community may unnecessarily feel afraid and may not take advantage of their rights, or avail themselves of legal assistance, and avenues of relief or other benefits available to them. They often feel intimidated by even the simplest interaction with our governmental institutions.
Although immigrants are entitled to legal representation in immigration proceedings, they are not currently entitled to have an attorney appointed for them if they cannot afford one.
As a result, some 65% of immigrants represent themselves (pro se) in immigration proceedings. Statistics show that immigrants with legal representation fare better in the immigration system than those who are not represented. Unfortunately, there is a lack of resources to help all the immigrants who find themselves in need of such assistance. Thus, it is crucial that immigrants be provided with information so that at least minimally, they will be able to navigate their way through our governmental processes.
Further, if immigrants know what their rights and responsibilities are, how to protect their rights, and how to fulfill their legal obligations, they will feel more connected to their local communities and will feel empowered to participate fully in our democratic processes and in their home communities.
The UIUC Extension is Helping Immigrants. The University of Illinois Extension has developed a 8-10 week course which helps immigrants understand their rights and responsibilities under immigration law.
This course helps to increase participants:
understanding of their responsibilities under U.S. Immigration law;
understanding of their rights under U.S. Immigration law;
understanding of the information and documentation all immigrants should keep;
gain an overview of the eligibility requirements for naturalization and how to apply;
understanding of the kinds of legal problems that can result in their removal from the U.S. and what to do if immigration comes to their home or work place;
understanding of their rights and responsibilities if they are stopped by law enforcement, are arrested, detained, or are placed in removal proceedings; including the residual implications both for unaccompanied minors and for the U.S. Citizen children of immigrants with legal problems;
understanding of what an accredited voluntary agency is and the services they provide;
knowledge of the options available for taking care of their US citizen children if an unauthorized immigrant parent or a legal permanent resident with legal problems is arrested to avoid the unnecessary defacto deportation of their US citizen children and possible charges of child abandonment.
Immigration for the Business Community
What Employers Need to Know About the I-9 This course provides a brief history of IRCA-the law which brought us the I-9, how to complete it, how to handle interviewing and hiring without violating the anti-discrimination provisions of IRCA while at the same time insuring full compliance with the law. Other issues such as how to insure you will pass a government audit, what to do if someone brings to your attention that an employee is undocumented or out of status, what to do when someone's temporary visa status expires, and what to do if you get a social security "no-match" letter will be covered. We ask for a donation to offer this class to cover the cost of materials and mileage.
Employment Based Immigration Provides an overview of the U.S. Immigration System and How It Works with special emphasis on employment based visa options, which enable employers to request permanent residency status for an employee. We ask for a donation to offer this class to cover the cost of materials and mileage.
Non-immigrant Visa Options for Temporary Employees Covers the various non-immigrant employment based visa categories and the pros and cons of each, as well as how to apply. Explains what you are agreeing to if you sponsor an employee for one of these categories, how to insure that there are no "renegade" cases in your shop, and how to protect your company while hiring the best and brightest from around the world, and those with special skills, to fill your short term employment needs. Also covers which non-immigrant employment based visa categories are best if you may want to later keep the employee on permanently. We ask for a donation to offer this class to cover the cost of materials and mileage.
All Extension classes are open to the public regardless of a person's race, religion, nationality, gender, sexual preference, or immigration status. If you would like to participate in one of our educational programs, or to have us offer a program at your site, contact:
Annette Vitale-Salajanu, MPA Immigration Educator University of Illinois Extension 2205 Enterprise Drive, Suite 501 Westchester, IL 60154 708-449-4320 direct: 708-4494321 avitale@uiuc.edu
