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The Valley Immigration Stories Project works to amplify the voices of immigrants in the Shenandoah Valley in order to share the human side of the immigration debate. With the national discussion underway, we strive to localize these issues with the faces & stories of those who are affected the most.
We hope to share their stories to create a deeper understanding of immigration while providing facts and figures about immigrants and immigration reform. The Valley Immigration Stories Project is a joint effort of the New Bridges Immigrant Resource Center and Virginia Organizing.
Sandy starts a journey that changed her life.
Maria makes a brave choice to help others.
Sandy tells of her experiences with "Dreamers."
Maria's life was changed when she was granted deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
Isabel reflects on the diversity of the United States and the potential of comprehensive immigration reform to stimulate the US economy.
Isabel describes what "The American Dream" means to her - feeling safe in the place we call home.
Isabel fears that she may never see her grandfather and father again because they live in Mexico and if she were to visit, she would not be allowed to return home to the US.
Isabel speaks for undocumented youth on why the time is now to pass comprehensive immigration reform. Allow youth to step out of the shadows and contribute meaningfully to the communities they call home.
Aaram talks about his childhood as an immigrant, and his first jobs in a new country. He didn't mind working hard because he had big dreams and big plans.
Aaram works two jobs, but doesn't mind the work. He enjoys being able to help people in the Hispanic community to purchase homes and be successful.
Aaram helps his clients deal with difficult legal and emotional issues of being undocumented.
Aaram asks politicians to consider the essence of this country and have an honest reform of immigration.
Soledad tells of her home being searched and the deportation order that would force her to return to Mexico, with or without her five children.
Soledad's college-aged daughter lives in fear that she will come home from school to find her mother gone.
Soledad pleads for help from the community to keep her with her children.
Soledad asks that officials consider the special medical needs of her son and allow her to remain with him to care for him.
Wilfredo explains why he does not believe immigrants working in the US is a threat to job availability.
Wilfredo believes it would be helpful if US citizens understood the reasons that immigrants leave their home countries to come to the US.
Wilfredo recently saw his children (who live in El Salvador) for the first time in 14 years. He describes how restrictive work permits truncate personal and professional development of immigrants.
Wilfredo tells of his hopes that comprehensive immigration reform will pass soon, so that hard working immigrants can come out of hiding.
Cha Cha came to the US legally, but spent over ten years overcoming obstacles and frustrations in the immigration process to become a permanent resident. He describes why change is necessary.
Cha Cha feels that immigrants are not a threat to US job opportunities for citizens because often, immigrants are doing jobs that very few people want to do.
Cha Cha feels that part of the American dream involves bringing together people from the US and people from other countries.
This map depicts the countries of origin of many immigrants to the Shenandoah Valley. Compiled by the Valley Immigration Stories Project at the Harrisonburg International Festival.
The following graphs are based on information from the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis.
Immigrants in Virginia's 6th Congressional District
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Immigrants in Virginia's 6th Congressional District
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Reach out to your local politicians by phone, email, or postal mail, and tell them that the stories of Sandy, Isabel, Wilfredo, Soledad, Cha Cha, and Aaram affected you.
Not in the Shenandoah Valley? If you live outside of the Shenandoah Valley, you can use GovTrack US to find your members of Congress.