KYW Newsradio 1060 Philadelphia - Regional Affairs Council

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05:35pm ET, 12/02/08

KYW's Regional Affairs Council

(Photo: Philadelphia's Memorial to Irish Immigration)

Part I: How Big is the Problem?

KYW's John McDevitt reports that with a Census Bureau estimate of nearly 2½ million foreign-born immigrants living in Philadelphia's tri-state area, the federal government is stepping up enforcement against illegal aliens.

Part II: Who's Knocking on the Golden Door

KYW's Karin Phillips looks into who is coming to the Delaware Valley from abroad, and why.

Part III: Voices for Change

KYW's John McDevitt reports that many say the way immigrants are treated in this country can be unjust, and that immigration laws need to change.

Part IV: The Challenge of Getting a Job

KYW's Karin Phillips reports that for anyone newly arrived in a foreign land, finding work can be difficult. So who's hiring immigrants in the Delaware Valley?

Part V: Pressure on Undocumented Workers

KYW’s Brad Segall reports that from the mushroom farms of Chester County, Pa. to the commercial office buildings of Montgomery County, undocumented workers make up a large portion of the unskilled labor force in the Pennsylvania suburbs. But immigration officials are cracking down.

Part VI: Skilled and Unskilled Immigrants -- All the Same?

KYW's Brad Segall reports that software developers, engineers, computer programmers, and other highly skilled workers from abroad complain that their lives are put on hold while they wait to learn whether they will get a green card to stay in the country.

Part VII: The Business Impact of ICE Crackdowns

KYW’s Brad Segall reports that it’s easy for businesses to hire illegal immigrants but it’s difficult to predict what would happen to our economy if those undocumented workers were suddenly no longer in the workforce.

Part VIII: Becoming a US Citizen

What is the process of becoming a legal American citizen? KYW's Karin Phillips reports that it's very hard work for many applicants.

Part IX: Undocumented Immigrants As Crime Victims

KYW's John McDevitt reports that many undocumented immigrants can't get a bank account, and that sometimes makes them a target for robbery or theft. And the crimes are often not reported to authorities because the illegal immigrant fears getting deported.

Part X: A Proposed Alternative for Immigrant Workers

KYW's Tony Romeo reports that one local immigration expert believes the American government needs to create a legal track for immigrants to cross the border and take temporary jobs.

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Regional Affairs Council Podcasts

Legal Impact
One immigration expert believes the American government needs to create a legal track for immigrants to cross the border and take temporary jobs. KYW Harrisburg bureau chief Tony Romeo reports. (1:12)

Crime Victims
Many undocumented immigrants can't get a bank account and that sometimes makes them a target of robbery or theft. the crimes are often not reported to authorities because the illegal immigrant fears getting deported. KYW's John McDevitt has this report.

How To Become A Citizen
In this report, KYW's community affairs reporter Karin Phillips examines the process of becoming a legal American citizen. (1:08)

Economic Impact
A local expert says it’s easy for businesses to hire illegal immigrants but he says it’s difficult to predict what would happen to our economy if those undocumented workers were suddenly no longer in the workforce. KYW’s Brad Segall has this report.

Skilled vs. Unskilled
While the debate rages on over immigration reform in the United States… highly skilled immigrants continue to call for radical changes in the way they are treated in this country. KYW’s Brad Segall reports.(1:14)

How Immigrant Workers Fare
From the mushroom farms of Chester County to the commercial office buildings of Montgomery County…undocumented workers make up a large portion of the unskilled labor force…but one recent incident may have those workers looking over their shoulders. KY

Who's Hiring Immigrants?
KYW's community affairs reporter Karin Phillips visits a local business known for its tradition of hiring immigrants. (1:04)

Life As An Immigrant
Many say the way an immigrant is treated in this country is unjust and that imagration laws need to change. KYW's John McDevitt has more. (1:11)

What Immigrants Are Here?
KYW's community affairs reporter Karin Phillips examines who is coming to the greater Philadelphia region and why. (1:09)

Cracking Down On Illegal Immigrants
KYW's John McDevitt reports on a step-up of government enforcement against illegal immigrants. (1:10)