International Institute of Rhode Island's mission is to enable all area residents, especially immigrants and refugees, to become self-reliant, invested participants in our communities, while fostering respect and understanding among all people. Read more

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Happy New Year from IIRI!

A message from Bill Shuey, Executive Director

Many thanks to all who continue to believe in and support our work. As we begin 2008, we are unfortunately expecting an increased number of anti-immigrant bills to be proposed at the state level.  IIRI will continue to advocate for fair and equitable treatment of newcomers.  We’ll keep you informed with updates on proposed legislation and our positions.  This coming year, it will be up to us all to ensure that our state continues to be a welcoming haven for our newest immigrants and refugees.

The following press release was issued recently by a coalition of advocacy groups,  including IIRI. 

Groups oppose bill that would promote discrimination and have costly consequences

Immigrant groups and allies today announced their opposition to Representative Palumbo and Senator Maselli’s plans to introduce legislation that groups argue will increase anti-immigrant fervor and division in Rhode Island.

“Rhode Island has a long history of welcoming immigrants and promoting community and justice.  Unfortunately, this bill and bills of this nature, only divide Rhode Island and promote fear and hatred in our communities” stated Ramon Martinez, President and CEO of Progreso Latino and Chair of the Univocal Legislative Minority Advisory Coalition.

“Across the nation, bills of this nature have been rejected by state legislatures.  In Arizona, a lawsuit has been filed challenging the employer-verification procedures that the Palumbo-Maselli bill would require as violating federal immigration law and the U.S. Constitution.  The system that employers would be required to use has serious flaws and a high error rate,” said Ellen Gallagher, Community Outreach Coordinator at International Institute Rhode Island.  “This type of local legislation in the area of immigration law violates the longstanding constitutional principle that immigration regulation is under the sole purview of the federal government.  We would expect the RI General Assembly to reject these proposals because they put workers and employers at risk and will only lead to costly litigation.”

Contrary to the claims of immigrant opponents, immigrants – both documented and undocumented – have a positive impact on local economies.

Multiple studies have shown that immigrants actually provide a net gain for local economies.  The White House Council of Economic Advisers concluded in a 2007 report that, because immigrants increase the size of the total labor force, complement the native-born workforce, and stimulate capital investment by adding workers to the labor pool, immigration increases the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by roughly $37 billion each year. 

While immigrants contribute to local economies, they often cannot participate in the benefits that their tax dollars help pay for.  Federal law mandates that states provide education and emergency medical care to all its residents regardless of immigrant status, but undocumented immigrants are not eligible for other public benefits.  “It’s important for people to know the facts,” said Linda Katz, Policy Director at the Poverty Institute: “Undocumented immigrants cannot receive Food Stamps, Child Care Assistance, or Cash Assistance and the majority cannot receive RIte Care.  Moreover, even many legal immigrants are barred for five years from receiving Food Stamps and RIte Care.  It’s very unfair that people who are working and paying taxes are unable to access the benefits they need to avoid hunger and stay healthy.”

Ivette Luna, Co-Chair of the Rhode Island Coalition of Immigrants and Refugees stated: “In keeping with the tradition of Rhode Island as a welcoming haven for immigrants/newcomers, we urge members of the State Legislature to refrain from introducing or supporting legislation that will only fuel the rise of intolerance towards immigrant communities.”

Bill Shuey, Executive Director of International Institute Rhode Island said: “Legislation of this type enacted in other parts of the country has done nothing to address the underlying issues that need to be addressed by federal legislation, but rather has caused racial profiling, targeting anyone who speaks with an accent or looks foreign, and prevents individuals from finding employment or housing.” He continued: “Solving the issues around immigration is a uniquely federal responsibility.  The General Assembly has enough on its plate to get our fiscal house in order and unite all Rhode Islanders in a plan to balance the budget while maintaining critical services.  We expect they will reject these bills that just divide our community and are likely illegal.”