Funnel 40/2, Inhalt - Fulbright-Kommission

30
FROM OUR FULBRIGHTERS
“Si, se puede – Yes, we can!”
The message is simple for this protester on the
immigrant workers’ freedom ride.
THE FUNNEL • VOLUME 40 • NUMBER 2 • SUMMER 2004
Non-documented immigrants in the U.S.
F
by Johannes Kloha
The large lobby of the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield is filled
with a crowd of perhaps 1000 people: men, women, and children. They
move from one room to another and finally gather in front of the
entrance to one of the chambers, where the legislature just came together
to vote on a number of proposals. The architecture of the building is
impressive. As with many other state capitols it seems at the same time
to copy and compete with the Capitol in Washington D.C.
But the large group of people is not here to admire the beauty of
the construction, neither are they listening to the sophisticated explanations
of some tourist guide. Their guide, a young woman, leads
them with a loud and clear voice into a swelling chant of a few simple
Spanish words: “Si, se puede, si, se puede…! ” – Yes, we can! And
soon the noise shows results. A group of parliamentarians steps out
of the room and after politely asking the crowd to lower their voices
they get involved in a brief discussion with the group.
I am with a large delegation of immigrants during the lobby day
of the Illinois General Assembly where they are advocating for a legislative
proposal they consider an important step ahead in their struggle
for equal rights. Today, the legislature is voting on a bill that would
give immigrants without legal documentation the possibility to
acquire a driver’s license—a crucial document of identification in the
U.S. And indeed, many of the participants are in the U.S. without
legal residency and hope to directly benefit from their engagement.
I ask Manuel, a young man, why he is joining this group. He answers,
“Because I want a driver’s license!”
I joined this group as part of my internship at Erie Neighborhood
House, one of the oldest community organizations in Chicago. Since
its founding in 1870 its main purpose has been to assist the residents
of the neighborhood, West Town, through a variety of social services.
West Town is one of Chicago’s neighborhoods with a very high percentage
of immigrants from South, Middle, and Central America,
predominantly from Mexico.
Right now Erie House offers childcare for low-income parents, a
youth program with various options for teenage kids ranging from
recreational facilities to computer classes, field trips, and a tutoring
system that prepares high school seniors for college. In adult education
classes immigrants can learn English or prepare themselves for
the citizenship exam, which requires basic knowledge of the history
and political system of the United States. Additionally, immigrants