Promoting Immigrants as Assets to America

The ILC Public Education Program

The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. (ILC) promotes immigrants as assets to America through educating the public – including policy makers, the media and teachers -about the positive impact immigrants have on the country, the economy and communities. After 9/11 and with the recent economic slowdown, anti-immigrant sentiment has grown extensively. Most of this is based on misinformation and stereotypes and sometimes, downright lies. The ILC commissions research about immigrants in Massachusetts and tracks and summarizes national level studies. This research clearly shows immigrants bring drive, creativity and skills that benefit the country. In addition to research, the Public Education Program has a number of other initiatives including teacher education and an Immigrant Theater Group. A periodic eletter keeps nearly 2,000 individuals, organizations and community groups abreast of research findings and ILC-sponsored programs and events. The Public Education Program is under the direction of Marcia Drew Hohn, Ed.D, who is assisted by Ewa Goodman. Public Education Program components include:

• ILC-commissioned research about Massachusetts immigrants as entrepreneurs, workers and consumers
• Professional development for teachers about teaching immigration
• The Immigrant Theater Group
• The Public Education Eletter
• Summaries of national level studies about immigrants