immigrants

Not In Our Town partnered with Welcoming America around the release of our film, Light in the Darkness, a PBS documentary that explores how a New York village came together following anti-immigrant violence. Welcoming America works with affiliates nationwide to engage the towns that welcome immigrants. In addition to online activities that feature Not In Our Town, Welcoming America hosts National Welcoming Week, starting on Sept. 15! During the week of Sept. 15-22, 2013, Welcoming America and its partners across the country will host National Welcoming Week, a nationwide event that will highlight the contributions of immigrants to American communities.  

Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs until Oct. 15, is an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of new Americans. In this short video, high school students in Los Angeles embark on a project to help change the perception of new immigrants in their community.  In their campaign “Don’t drop the I-bomb” they hope to remove the negative connotation of the word “illegal” and create a more equal and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Discuss: What particular actions of the students do you believe were the most effective? Do you think the actions of these students will create a more positive view of immigrants in their community? Why or why not? What are other ways people can work together to create a more positive atmosphere for recent immigrants?   This video features Facing History and Ourselves teachers at Animo Jackie Robinson High School.

The students of Newcomers High School, a school for newly arrived immigrants in Queens, N.Y., reached out to Joselo Lucero with letters of sympathy when his brother Marcelo was killed in 2008. Two years later, Joselo visits the school to speak to the students about what he learned from the loss of his brother, his experiences as an immigrant, and the difficult process of forgiveness. "He's telling his story," said Newcomers teacher Julie Mann. "And even though it's a difficult and painful story, he's not afraid to do that, and I think that's a big lesson for my students." The Lucero family is in no way associated with the Lucero de America Foundation. Joselo Lucero now makes school visits promoting respect for diversity and non-violence. He is available at joselolucero@yahoo.com.  Joselo Lucero has set up the Marcelo Lucero Scholarship at Patchogue-Medford High School. Donations can be directly sent to:  Marcelo Lucero Scholarship, 181 Buffalo Avenue, Medford, NY 11763.