INA Education for Adults Learning English

The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) funds grants for the purpose of conducting public education programs about: (1) the rights afforded potential victims of employment discrimination; and, (2) the responsibilities of employers under the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. §1324b. Funded projects design and implement public education campaigns to address immigration related unfair employment discrimination by educating workers, employers, and the general public about the anti-discrimination provision of the INA.

The New York City Commission on Human Rights will partner with the New York Immigration Coalition, an association of over 200 community organizations, to educate immigrant workers, employers, and immigrant service providers about both protections and responsibilities required by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The partner organizations will incorporate the trust of community organizations with the influence of local authority in a mutual campaign. The partners will deliver vital INA information to immigrant workers and those preparing for work through both English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes in public libraries and through workforce investment agencies and institutions that offer adult basic education and literacy classes. The classes will be an effective venue as they are crucial entry points to community services, culture, and civic awareness for many new Americans.

Consultants from the Literacy Assistance Center of NYC have reviewed the curriculum and will expand its use to additional classes, providing two in-service workshops for ESOL certified teachers. Learner assessments developed for these curricula will gauge the students' understanding and how they will use the information in the workplace. In addition to 50 adult literacy sessions and two ESOL teacher-training workshops, the partnership's ongoing community-based educational campaign will conduct one workshop for employers and 25 additional worker presentations.

CA/NCF