State Integration Policy

Core Values | Common Ground | Equal Justice

Nebraska Appleseed has worked hard to insure Nebraska is a welcoming state, with policies and practices that do not disadvantage newest Nebraskans, provide economic opportunity beyond meatpacking, and seek to keep families and communities together. These efforts are also designed to increase the ability and willingness of new immigrants to participate in the civic life of their new communities. In particular, Nebraskans are now able to talk about law and policy that better help newcomers’ get a job, to have access to good house loans, to have children well educated, and to see a doctor. For example, Nebraska Appleseed co-chaired the Nebraska Legislature’s Task Force on the Productive Integration of the Immigrant Workforce Population to help Nebraska policymakers learn what direction state law and public policy should go in the coming years to better integrate the thousands of mostly Latino newcomers to mostly rural Nebraska communities. The Task Force, after a series of public hearings around the state, released its report, “The Dream Lives On: New Immigrants/New Opportunities for Nebraska,” which featured a set of findings and recommendations. The Task Force found that boosting opportunity for newcomers boosts opportunity for all, especially for the children of our newest neighbors. These recommendations have truly laid the groundwork for making Nebraska a leader in welcoming its newcomers through significant public policy change in the coming years. The Task Force recognized that state policies can either aid or hinder the integration of these newcomers through the responses to the linguistic, cultural, economic, social, and educational challenges found in these communities. Among other things, Nebraska Appleseed has helped the Nebraska Legislature consider a “State Newcomer Welcoming Policy,” which would require state and local governments “to consistently welcome newcomers, to lower barriers to participation, and provide equal opportunity for newcomers.”

New Appleseed Guide Helps Banks Provide Fair and Efficient Services to Growing International Remittance Market

Appleseed has released a first-of-its kind guide to assist banks and credit unions in better serving the growing remittance market. Immigrants living in the U.S. sent $45 billion to Latin American and Caribbean countries in 2006 (representing only 10% of their earnings – the other 90% stays in the U.S., benefiting U.S. communities and economies), according to recent estimates from the Inter-American Development Bank.

In addition to providing a detailed market overview, “Banking in a Global Market” offers a comprehensive hands-on approach to setting up transparent and efficient remittance services, drawing on the experiences of large and small financial institutions throughout the U.S.

Banking in a Global Market Report | Supplement | Executive Summary | Press Release

Financial Education Brochures

Nebraska Appleseed teamed up with the Appleseed Foundation and Centers in Texas, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Kansas to develop a series of Spanish and English language brochures to advise Latino consumers on opening bank accounts and a range of financial issues. The colorful nine-part series covers such topics as: How To Open a Checking or Savings Account; Car Loans; Credit, Debit, and ATM Cards; Home Ownership; How To Avoid Dangerous Loans; Identification Needed for an Account; Reduce Your Taxes; Send Money Back Home; and Using Credit Cards. We thank the Immigrant Rights Network of Iowa & Nebraska and the many community members across several states who provided invaluable input and identified the primary questions and concerns about using the banking system.

Read / Download / Print the Brochures

Worker Rights During Immigration Enforcement Raids

Know Your Rights English (UFCW)
Know Your Rights/Conozca Sus Derechos Español (UFCW)
Know Your Rights Wallet Card English-Español (UFCW)

Know Your Rights at Home and at Work English | Español
(Ejecución de las Leyes de Inmigración: Conozca sus derechos en su hogar y su trabajo respecto a Inmigración) (National Immigration Law Center)

Know Your Rights if You Have Been Arrested or Detained by the U.S. Government English | Español
(CASA of Maryland)