Managing personal finances—including saving and investing properly—is a challenge for anyone. But this is especially challenging for immigrants of which almost half come from Latin America.

Recognizing the intrinsic link between financial literacy and the socioeconomic prosperity of Hispanic immigrants, Qualitas of Life Foundation was developed in 2004 to provide direct access to financial tools for immigrant families in New York. Its work is particularly unique in that its mission and classes are carried out through partnerships with the business community, other nongovernmental organizations, and a network of professionals dedicated to the organization.

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A little known fact among the general population is that immigrants are a significant driver of job creation in the United States through their entrepreneurial spirit. And this is what Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) are seeking to foster through their recently introduced StartUp Visa Act of 2011 (S 565).

The bill, which has four cosponsors, seeks to “to drive job creation and increase America’s global competiveness by helping immigrant entrepreneurs secure visas to the United States.” According to Sen. Lugar, “helping them [immigrants] stay to invest in their ideas and create jobs benefits all Americans.” A complementary bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY).

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The Obama Administration scored another victory over punitive immigration legislation on Monday when the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a federal judge’s decision blocking major provisions of Arizona’s controversial SB 1070.

A three-judge panel split two to one in favor of the federal government on the grounds that SB 1070 conflicts with federal law and adversely affects U.S. foreign relations—namely with Mexico, as President Calderón has spoken out repeatedly against a law he saw targeted his country’s citizens. As soon as the ruling was announced, Mexico’s Ambassador to the United States Arturo Sarukhan tweeted “[w]e welcome the US Ninth Circuit’s court ruling on AZ SB1070 reaffirming full authority of the Federal (Government) in enforcing immigration law.”

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Announcing the redesigned Hispanic Immigration Hub, a multimedia resource featuring news, analysis and data on the debate over Hispanic immigration and community’s economic and political contribution in the United States.

Our new approach:

Since the conversation on immigration reform has stalled in Congress by the end of 2010, the debate over immigrants’ rights—particularly regarding the undocumented population—has shifted to the state and local arena. Today states across the U.S. are taking a stance, whether progressive or regressive, on the status of, and policies toward their immigrant community. Follow HIH for in-depth analysis of state and local legislation, and information on immigrants’ contribution to the U.S. economy.

HIH features include:

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