WHAT ARE THE ISSUES WITH IMMIGRANT RIGHTS IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS?
Victimization of workers: As described in the above CIOP News story, immigrant workers are at risk for not receiving their paychecks for work actually done. A related New York Times story of Sunday, June 13, 2006 “Dollars and Dream: Immigrants as Prey” describes this issue in depth. Lack of access to banking services and homeownership: CIOP is working with immigrant families in Beardstown, IL. Beardstown is a river town about 45 minutes west of Springfield, IL and is the site of a major meat packing plant. Immigrant workers are central to the economic health and vitality of the community. Unfortunately Central Illinois banks can’t yet figure out that families with good jobs can also be good credit risks for homeownership. (Note: Immigrant families in Chicago and various banking institutions, including Illinois Housing Development Agency, do provide financing for homeownership.
