"Government Matters" 

Immigration policy in the United Status is an immense issue. Here are two pieces of national legislation in Congress to know about. If interested further, the official search engine of the Library of Congress is THOMAS (http://thomas.loc.gov/). Also, in-depth reports about immigration in America can be read through Pew Hispanic online (http://www.pewhispanic.org/).

HR 4437

This House Resolution goes wide in scope. One serious implication is its criminalizing the act of assistance for undocumented migrants living in the United States. HR 4437 expands the definition of “alien smuggling,” treating social service organizations, refugee agencies, churches, legal services, and other non-profits the same as smuggling agents. Family members and charitable workers could face prosecution for their assistance. This resolution passed through the House. 

S. 2075

Every year, approximately 65,000 immigrant students graduate from U.S. high schools. Many have grown up in the local K-12 school system, and they know only the U.S. as home. Unfortunately, due to their immigration status (most are either undocumented or not yet naturalized citizens), these students do not qualify for opportunities to make college affordable – most private scholarships, in-state tuition rates, state and federal grants and loans, and the ability to legally work through school.

S.2075, the “Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM)" Act, proposes to facilitate open access to these financial bolsters for immigrant youth. Not only a route to meaningful employment, the bill would also open the path to citizenship for youth who complete a set of steps in the process of being fully active members of the U.S.

To access your Congressional Representative or Senator, search his contact information at http://www.congress.org/.

Clinic - Manna Project Health Team is collaborating with Project HOPE (www.projecthope.org) on the development of a maternal and child health clinic in Managua. The project will replicate the successful clinic model created by Project HOPE that has resulted in two financially self-sustaining high quality primary care clinics in the Dominican Republic. To learn how you can help, email angela@mannaproject.org. More info to come in future MannaMails.

New Program Directors - Abbie Foust and Neil Das, both Vanderbilt graduates, started with MPI in Mangaua recently. Abbie looks to work primarily on healthcare initiatives and clinic development. She spent three months this summer in Kenya conducting health surveys and developing a clinic. Neil brings an economics background to the micro-finance projects in the communities. His initial exposure to MPI came on a Manna service trip to rural Mexico. Both will start medical school next fall. Abbie and Neil - Bienvenidos!

The Land Project - Looking to do more than donate?  Visit the webpage below for our idea. A full proposal awaits to tell you the whole story about MPI, Chiquilistagua, and the future. The Land Project will be a great movement!  Visit www.mannaproject.org/community_center/ or email dan@mannaproject.org for specific interest. 

Sponsor a Child - MPI's child sponsorship program provides nutritional food and necessary healthcare for the most malnourished children in Managua. Many sponsors help fund a child's educational costs as well. To get to know Nicaragua through one child, see www.mannaproject.org/sponsor/.

November 5 – Nicaragua will hold its nationwide Presidential election. Contenders include Eduardo Montealegre, Jose Rizo, and Daniel Ortega. The winner will serve a five-year term.

November 7 – Go Vote this Tuesday. Your’s matters. Check on your registration status this week.