undocumented immigrants

More than 50,000 immigrants in Hawaiʻi are eligible to become American citizens but have not yet applied. That’s according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Agency. But the current political climate may be compelling more of them to take on the costly and lengthy task of becoming a citizen. And now, HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi reports, they’ve got a little help.

Chinese Labor in Saipan; Kauai’s Russian Fort; Kaka’ako Walking Tour; Waikiki the Movie

Harris United Methodist Church began exploring the idea of being a sanctuary church more than a year ago. Its congregation voted on it last spring, but it was only until this past fall that it openly talked about its new ministry. It includes lending supporting to immigration cases like the one of Maui resident Tania Venegas who was facing deportation.

DACA in Hawaii; Mapping Hawaii’s Tax Structure; Social Media Marketing    

President Trump says the new federal crackdown on undocumented immigrants will make our country safer.  But in Hawaiʻi, there have not been many reports linking illegal immigration and violent crime.  In the last of a series of reports, HPR contributing reporter Jackie Young investigates how safe we are now, and what may come next with the issue of illegal immigration.

As federal officials crack down on illegal immigration, many in Hawaiʻi’s faith community are mobilizing.  But actions come with risks. In her continuing series on undocumented immigrants in Hawaiʻi, HPR contributing reporter Jackie Young has the story.

Immigration policy has been a point of disagreement throughout our country’s history.  Laws have changed at different times to address specific societal issues of the day.  In her continuing series, HPR contributing reporter Jackie Young examines some of those laws, and how they affect one immigrant in Hawaiʻi.

The Migration Policy Institute estimates there are about 21,000 undocumented immigrants living in Hawai‘i. The PEW Research Center says this number could be as high as 45,000.  HPR contributing reporter Jackie Young begins a series of reports, looking at who the undocumented immigrants are in our state, and how new federal immigration policies are affecting them.

Earlier this month, Australia announced an agreement to relocate refugees from its off shore detention camps to the United States. Unanswered questions included when, how many, and whether the deal would survive the change of administration in Washington. Now, as we hear from Neal Conan in the Pacific News Minute, new snags have appeared.

US immigration reform is currently on hold for more than 11-million undocumented residents nationwide.  But there’s a group of young people in Hawai’i working hard to create a pathway to citizenship. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.