Immigration

Diversity from immigration keeps cities alive, former Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ) and other leaders assert in this program; opposing views are also presented, thus summarizing America's immigration debate with mixed evaluations of its capacity for change. Using commentary from several experts-including Michael Teitelbaum, vice chair of the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform, and Margie McHugh, executive director of the New York Immigrant Coalition-this program studies the isolation of ethnic communities, the shifting of racial definitions, and America's lack of an infrastructure to support immigrant integration. (26 minutes)

How much do American and Canadian citizens really understand about the personal, social, and economic struggles of undocumented workers? This program deepens that understanding, providing an intimate look inside the lives of two non-status migrant laborers. Geraldo, a Costa Rican construction worker, and Angela, a Caribbean domestic employee, describe their experiences with labor exploitation and restrictive immigration laws, as well as their separation from children and family-poignantly conveyed through telephone calls home. Humanizing an often-invisible workforce, the program exposes some of the hidden costs of sustaining the first world" economy. (27 minutes)"

The globalization of the world's economy has brought about massive shifts in population-some welcomed, some meeting fear and resistance. This high-energy series tours five cities where such changes are evident, gathering perspectives from New York, Tokyo, London, Frankfurt, and Mexico City. It also studies America's increasingly divisive national debate over immigration. 6-part series, 26 minutes each.

Can Western aid to the developing world help to stem the tide of foreign workers into the EU? This program reports on European initiatives intended to improve conditions in Africa and the Middle East and thus reduce the number of job-seekers entering the European Union. With a spotlight on human rights, fair trade, the global war on poverty, the role of the private sector, and the frustrations of young unemployed foreigners, the program uses Morocco as a specific case study and also outlines the significance of the Middle East peace process. Additional insight comes from activists and businesspeople in developing countries and from Louis Michel, EU Commissioner of Development and Humanitarian Aid. (27 minutes)

This program looks at the human drama behind the current debate over U.S. immigration policy. It roams both sides of the Texas-Mexico border, exploring the root causes of why Mexicans immigrate. The role played by transnational corporations and their social and economic impact on both Mexicans and other North Americans is considered. A second segment explores the determination of immigrants and questions why current immigration policies are the most restrictive in years. A third part discusses the strong family values immigrants bring with them as having a positive impact on U.S. culture. Immigrant organizations are examined within the context of the American citizen action tradition. (56 minutes)