Tag: migrants

Driver training program helps migrants gain license and independence in Launceston

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 11, 2022
No Comments on Driver training program helps migrants gain license and independence in Launceston

When 18-year-old Afghan migrant Mehdi Safari from Launceston passed his driving test, he was “hopping around” with excitement.

It made it easier for him to travel to his part-time job at a local hardware store, and to school every day.

“Yo puedo [also] go out more with friends, and even when I’m going out to play sport, it’s very helpful to have a license,” he said.

It was also an important milestone for the Launceston Migrant Resource Center’s learner driver program, Drive4Life, as Mr Safari was its 500th participant to pass the P-test.

Coordinator Janice Molineux said it was incredibly significant for those migrants and refugees and their families.

“I was very happy… [and] now it’s 511 [people who have passed]. I just think it’s such a great thing,” she said.

A boy in a hoodie behind the wheel of a parked car. — Mr Safari got a “lecture” from his father about the serious responsibility of driving well.(ABC Northern Tasmania: Sarah Abbott)

license to independence

Arriving in Launceston with his family from the Iranian city of Ahvaz in 2013, Mr Safari said he was passionate about cars and wanted to become a mechanic or engineer since childhood.

“Growing up, I tried to buy toy cars and I’d disassemble them to try to work out how they worked,” he said.

But in Tasmania, once old enough to obtain a driver’s licence, Mr Safari found it a challenge to accrue the required number of hours of practice as a learner driver.

“It was difficult for me to find a car to practise,” he said.

A car provided by the Drive4Life program allowed him to gain the supervised driving practice and skills he needed to get his P-plates.

Odds stacked high

In many ways, Mr Safari and the 510 other migrants who have now passed through Drive4Life have beaten the odds in obtaining a licence, according to Ms Molineux.

“One challenge… is knowing someone with a full driver’s license to help them gain the required hours to sit for their P-test,” Ms Molineux said.

Another is knowing enough English to pass.

A woman with tied back hair smiling to camera, with greenery and a building behind her. — Janice Molineux enjoys seeing Drive4Life graduates driving around town.(ABC Northern Tasmania: Sarah Abbott)

Ms Molineux said some learners who were capable drivers were not able to gain their Ps due to interpreters not being allowed in the car with them during tests.

That restriction was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Ms Molineux said her organization was working on a proposal to address it.

“We are hopeful that people who are still learning English can acquire their licences. It should not be ‘English first, then a license’,” she said.

“Safety must always come first… [but] you don’t need perfect English to be able to drive.”

Ms Molineux said being able to drive was life-changing for many migrants and refugees living in Tasmania.

“A license lets them gain independence, get to English classes and travel to work where public transport options are not viable,” she said.

Bring your own tutor

Launceston’s Migrant Resource Center started its Drive4Life program in 2009.

The program operates with around ten volunteer driving tutors providing lessons in two dual-controlled cars. The 500 drivers it has helped to gain a license have come from countries ranging from Afghanistan to Sudan.

But the program’s success means it now has a long list of learner drivers waiting to join it, and not enough driving tutors to keep up.

Ms Molineux said it was due to the “battle” of finding driving tutors, particularly bi-lingual ones, that she began a ‘Bring Your Own Mentor’ initiative last year.

“It doesn’t matter where you are on the [learner waiting] list, if you bring someone who’s happy to be inducted as a Drive4Life mentor, then they help you and someone else from the top of the list,” Ms Molineux said.

A man wearing a cap crouched in front of a car that has an L plate on it — Abbas Safari is a fluent Farsi speaker and tutors Farsi-speaking Launceston locals.(ABC Northern Tasmania: Sarah Abbott)

The volunteer tutors go through a driver induction, which involves “some theory, but mostly practice” in a dual-control car with the program’s head mentor.

It was through this initiative that Mr Safari successfully passed his Ps, after being tutored in a Drive4Life car by his father, Abbas.

“With him… teaching me it was alright, because we had that father-son bond and connection, so I was comfortable with him,” Mr Safari said.

“It made the learning experience a bit easier.”

Finally finding their legs

Abbas Safari has gone on to tutor his other son, 16-year-old Milad, and Farsi-speaking Launceston mother-of-nine, Shah Jafari.

He said he enjoyed teaching “very much”, and was motivated to volunteer by his desire to help people in Tasmania’s Afghan community get their license “so they can go on with their lives”.

“Not having a license is like having extra weight on your shoulders,” he said.

A woman in a green headscarf sitting behind the wheel in a car, while a man in the passenger seat smiles to camera too — Shah Jafari looks forward to having her license so she can help with school drop-off.(ABC Northern Tasmania: Sarah Abbott)

Abbas Safari is keen to keep tutoring into the future, and has inspired his older son to one day “definitely” do the same.

“I would like for everyone in the right age bracket to have their license,” Mehdi Safari said.

“Because I experienced that feeling when you get your license and… it’s like you finally find your legs, so you can travel everywhere.”

Tags driving, español, good news, L plates, language, learner, learning to drive, license, migrants, P plates, ps, refugees, training

Texas Gov. Abbott dares NYC Mayor Adams to ‘make my day’ in migrant war

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 10, 2022
No Comments on Texas Gov. Abbott dares NYC Mayor Adams to ‘make my day’ in migrant war

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tapped into his inner “Dirty Harry” on Wednesday and publicly dared Mayor Eric Adams to “make my day” by carrying through on his threat to send New Yorkers to campaign against his re-election bid.

Abbott also vowed to keep sending busloads of asylum-seekers to New York City, saying Adams was merely “getting a taste” of what beleaguered border communities have been dealing with in the Lone Star State since President Biden took office.

Abbott’s comments on Fox News came amid his ongoing feud with Adams over migrant relocations and just hours after three charter buses hired by Abbott dropped off nearly 100 migrants outside the Port Authority terminal in Midtown Manhattan.

The transports added to almost 70 who arrived on Friday and Sunday.

In response to Adams’ threat Tuesday that he was “deeply contemplating taking a busload of New Yorkers to go to Texas and do some good, old-fashioned door-knocking” against Abbott, the Republican governor said, “You know, I kind of feels like Clint Eastwood.”

“Go ahead, Major. Make my day,” he said.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told Major Eric Adams to "make my dad" in response to Adams' threats to send New Yorkers to Texas to campaign against him. — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told Mayor Eric Adams to “make my day” in response to Adams’ threats to send New Yorkers to Texas to campaign against him.

The taunt echoed Eastwood’s iconic line from the 1983 movie “Sudden Impact,” in which his San Francisco detective character “Dirty Harry” faced off against a robber who was holding a coffee shop waitress at gunpoint.

Then-President Ronald Reagan also famously invoked Eastwood’s words in 1985 when he threatened to veto “any tax increase that Congress might even think of sending up.”

“And I have only one thing to say to the tax increasers: Go ahead. Make my day,” he added.

Abbott said the buses of migrants is giving Adams "to taste" of what border towns go through in Texas. — Abbott said the buses of migrants is giving Adams “a taste” of what border towns go through in Texas.

Abbott said there “could hardly be anything better” for him than for Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke to be “aided by a bunch of New Yorkers.”

“That will not be viewed very positively by the state of Texas,” he said.

Abbott also accused Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul, both Democrats, of “rank hypocrisy” for attacking his motives for him in responding to what he calls President Biden’s “open border policies.”

“Listen, New York is a sanctuary city,” Abbott said.

A bus carrying migrants from Texas arriving at the Port Authority Bus Terminal on August 10, 2022.

“Mayor Adams said that they welcome illegal immigrants. And now once they have to deal with the reality of it, they’re suddenly flummoxed and they cannot handle it.”

Abbott added: “They are now getting a taste of what we’re having to deal with… the challenges that Texas is dealing with every day.”

“Only when they see that will the Biden ministration begin to have to realize the Biden administration is gonna have to finally start enforcing the laws passed by Congress that secure the border,” he said.

Migrants getting off the bus in Manhattan after being driven from Texas.

Adams responded during an unrelated afternoon news conference in Queens, saying of Abbott, “I know he thinks he’s Clint Eastwood, but he’s not.”

“He is an anti-American governor that is really going against everything we stand for,” Adams blasted in response to a question from The Post.

“And I am going to do everything feasible to make sure Texans, the people of Texas, realize how harmful he is to us globally.”

Adams then called Abbott a “global embarrassment.”

“Because this is not what we do as Americans,” the mayor said.

“All of us — and I’m sure if he goes into his lineage, he came from somewhere. And if his ancestors of him were treated the way he’s treating these asylum seekers and migrants, then he would not be where he is right now.

The mayor said that “without the proper coordination,” the city was “unable to receive people at one location and give them the support they deserve…but often they end up at our intake centers.”

Adams also called on New Yorkers to assist the migrants, saying that “if anyone in the city sees someone that they believe needs the assistance, we’re asking them to point them and direct them to the intake centers.

A man could be seen handing money to the migrants as they got off the bus Wednesday.

The Biden administration quietly ended the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” immigration policy Monday — clearing the way for potentially tens of thousands more migrants to enter the US and stay here while their applications for asylum are processed.

The Department of Homeland Security announced it would no longer enroll asylum-seekers in the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program – which forced about 70,000 people back south of the border over the past three years to await their immigration hearings.

Abbott, who began sending migrants to Washington in April, said that “our goal is to, for one, help our local communities and in doing so send even more buses to New York, to DC and maybe even to other communities to alleviate the challenge we dealing with.”

In addition, Abbott said he wanted “to continue to expose this national catastrophe caused by President Biden.”

Tags asylum, Beth O'Rourke, buses, elections, eric adams, foxnews, Greg Abbott, kathy, Meter, migrants, port authority, Texas, us border

Texas Gov. Abbott dares NYC Mayor Adams to ‘make my day’ in migrant war

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 10, 2022
No Comments on Texas Gov. Abbott dares NYC Mayor Adams to ‘make my day’ in migrant war

The transports added to almost 70 who arrived on Friday and Sunday.

“Go ahead, Major. Make my day,” he said.

Then-President Ronald Reagan also famously invoked Eastwood’s words in 1985 when he threatened to veto “any tax increase that Congress might even think of sending up.”

“And I have only one thing to say to the tax increasers: Go ahead. Make my day,” he added.

Abbott said there “could hardly be anything better” for him than for Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke to be “aided by a bunch of New Yorkers.”

“That will not be viewed very positively by the state of Texas,” he said.

“Listen, New York is a sanctuary city,” Abbott said.

“Mayor Adams said that they welcome illegal immigrants. And now once they have to deal with the reality of it, they’re suddenly flummoxed and they cannot handle it.”

Abbott added: “They are now getting a taste of what we’re having to deal with… the challenges that Texas is dealing with every day.”

Abbott's comments came after three buses dropped off nearly 100 migrants in Manhattan. — Abbott’s comments came after three buses dropped off nearly 100 migrants in Manhattan.

In addition, Abbott said he wanted “to continue to expose this national catastrophe caused by President Biden.”

Tags asylum, Beth O'Rourke, buses, elections, eric adams, foxnews, Greg Abbott, kathy, Meter, migrants, port authority, Texas, us border

Man hands money to migrants as they arrive in NYC on buses from Texas

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 10, 2022
No Comments on Man hands money to migrants as they arrive in NYC on buses from Texas

Three buses packed with migrants from Texas arrived in New York City early Wednesday — welcomed by supporters who thrust $20 bills in their hands.

The buses arrived at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown, days after Mayor Eric Adams blasted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as “anti-American” for relocating the asylum-seekers, which Abbott says he is doing to emphasize the crisis being created by the Biden administration allowing asylum seekers to stay in the US while their applications are processed.

The migrants appeared to be a mix of asylum seekers aided with bus tickets by the administration and by independent charities in addition to any shipped up here by the Republican Texas governor. Some had claims that could potentially qualify for asylum being granted while others were simply seeking a better life, which, depending on other circumstances, would not qualify them to stay in the US

Migrant gives a thumbs up — Three buses packed with migrants from Texas arrived in New York City early Wednesday.

Supporters thrust $20 bills into the migrants' hands as they exited the bus. — Supporters thrust $20 bills into the migrants’ hands as they exited the bus.

John Torres, who migrated from Colombia as a boy, took a four-hour bus ride from Maryland to New York to greet the new arrivals — with $200 in cash to give away.

“Because it’s the right thing to do,” Torres, 45, told The Post as to why he came. “It’s something that somebody would do for me if I’m in poverty, if I am starting out, someone would do that for me.”

Torres said he empathized with the migrants who arrived with few or no prospects for a job and no family or friends.

“You know, if I’m coming in a bus, if I’m scared, I don’t know where I am going, I don’t know what’s going on or nothing,” Torres said. “at least you know, if somebody gives me something for breakfast, at least I could start out that way, and then buy me a shirt, buy me clothes and then, I don’t know… figure it out from there.”

A City Hall official said Tuesday at least three more buses carrying migrants from Texas would arrive in the Big Apple by Wednesday and keep showing up “basically daily.”

Migrant child holding cash — Major Eric Adams blasted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as “anti-American” for relocating the asylum-seekers.

One migrant who got off at the Port Authority told The Post he started his trek to America from Venezuela on July 8.

Jairo Gamardo said he crossed into the US via Texas and then spent two days being processed by immigration officials before he was taken to a church in a city where he got onto a bus that headed directly for the Big Apple – stopping only for bathroom breaks.

Gamardo said the government-funded trip was provided to him and other migrants hailing from Texas at no cost. He said he previously worked for the military in Venezuela and was seeking political asylum in the United States.

“It’s a beautiful city,” Gamardo said when asked why he wanted to come to New York.

Gamardo, who doesn’t know anyone in the Big Apple, traveled alone and is now searching for work and better days ahead, he said.

Another native of Venezuela said he worked several jobs back home, but could only earn about $30 monthly — far less than needed to support his family.

“That’s everyone’s dream, to help their families,” Ernesto Bose, 41, told The Post, adding that he hopes to eventually bring his parents and sons to the United States.

Bose said the trip he endured was “horrible,” but thanked the city officials who greeted him in New York.

“Everyone has been so nice and welcoming,” Bose said. “Everyone is so willing to help.”

Ernesto Bose, a 41-year-old native of Venezuela, arrived Wednesday in New York. He told The Post the trip was "horrible," but had a warm welcome in the Big Apple. — Ernesto Bose, a 41-year-old native of Venezuela, arrived Wednesday in New York. He told The Post the trip was “horrible,” but he had a warm welcome in the Big Apple.

Heading to New York became an option for Bose upon getting bus tickets destined for the city or the nation’s capital from a church in Eagle Pass, Texas, Bose said.

“And it’s the only place that accepts us here like this,” Bose continued.

A City Hall official said Tuesday at least three more buses carrying migrants from Texas would arrive in the Big Apple by Wednesday and keep showing up “basically daily.”

Abbott hired a charter bus company to send the migrants across the country, but the company signed a non-disclosure agreement preventing the city from obtaining details on its itineraries, Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Manuel Castro told reporters Tuesday.

Some 45 migrants got off a bus that arrived in the city on Friday, as Abbott said he planned to continue the program indefinitely, claiming New York City is the “ideal destination” for the migrants due to its services for homeless people.

Adams said Sunday that only 14 migrants had gotten off the bus that officials were “led to believe” held about 40 people. It’s unclear what happened to the others, but Adams said Monday some were sent to “new locations.”

Three busloads of migrants arrive at the Port Authority in Midtown, Manhattan. — Abbott began relocating migrants to Washington, DC, in April in response to what he calls President Biden’s “open border policies.” City Hall officials estimate around 4,000 migrants in all have arrived in recent weeks.

Abbott began relocating migrants to Washington, DC, in April in response to what he calls President Biden’s “open border policies.” City Hall officials estimate around 4,000 migrants in all have arrived in recent weeks.

Torres said he believed Abbott was “trying to do the best he can” by busing the migrants to New York, a sanctuary city.

“But there’s only so many people you can help,” Torres said. “There are thousands of people every day, so I mean I respect his opinion of him but I think you gotta do some reform in each state to help out.”

Tags asylum, eric adams, Greg Abbott, Immigration, Manhattan, Meter, migrants, port authority, Texas

Australia

Fears lengthy visa processing delays for skilled migrants will worsen the hospitality skills crisis

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 9, 2022
No Comments on Fears lengthy visa processing delays for skilled migrants will worsen the hospitality skills crisis

Long-term hospitality staff are as rare as hen’s teeth in outback Queensland.

When Sri Lankan chef Madushka ‘Max’ Dilshan Perera moved to Longreach in 2020 to work in a local pub, his skills were not taken for granted.

The chef started a weekly night ‘Sri Lankan Curry Night’ which has become a local institution.

Mr Perera wants to stay in Longreach long-term and raise his family there.

“I love this town and I love to work here,” Mr Perera said.

“My whole life is here, everything I bought, the toys for my kid, it’s all unpacked and in the house.

“Everything I worked for is here.”

But the outback chef has spent much of his time in Australia in limbo, trying to get visas for his wife and two-year-old daughter to join him in western Queensland.

A man with black hair in a white chef outfit smiles in front of a stainless steel kitchen. — Mr Perera says the first thing he’ll do when his family comes to Australia is spend some quality time around town.(ABC Western Qld: Danielle O’Neal)

Forced to wait while the borders were closed, Mr Perera’s family applied for their entry visas in March this year.

Mr Perera hadn’t heard anything from the government since April, which left him worried about his future.

“I work here, I go home, I’ve got no one. Last week I got sick and I had no-one,” Mr Perera said.

“Just doing FaceTime every night and after the phone call I start crying because I miss my daughter.

“We became a family because we need each other and right now I don’t have anyone and the same for them as well.”

Chef video calling his toddler — Max has seen his two-year-old daughter in Sri Lanka for two weeks of her life.(ABC Western Qld: Danielle O’Neal)

After the ABC spoke with Mr Perera, questions about his situation were put to the Department of Home Affairs on Monday morning.

That afternoon, after months of waiting, his family were granted their visas.

Mr Perera said he was already trying to arrange flights to Longreach so they could be reunited.

‘We don’t seem to be able to deliver what we offer them’

The news is a boost not only for the young dad, but also for his boss.

Birdcage Hotel owner Gavin Ballard said it was extremely rare to find staff who want to stay long-term in remote outback towns.

“It takes a special person to come out to the outback and to work, so when you get someone who wants to stay as a business owner you certainly want to look after them and do the right thing by them,” Mr Ballard said.

A man in a black shirt sits next to a barrel table at a concrete beer garden. — Gavin Ballard says Mr Perera has been fantastic for the community, and his business.(ABC Western Qld: Danielle O’Neal)

“A lot of people like to go to the coast.

“We’ve had our trials of chefs who come this way and get job offers and they just go back to the coast, which is why we went the sponsored way.

“We’ve got a couple more guys here doing the same thing.”

Mr Ballard said if Mr Perera had left his job, the position would likely be empty for several months.

“You start all over again, the process doesn’t happen overnight,” Mr Ballard said.

A kid plays pool at an outback pub — The Birdcage Hotel in Longreach is packed during tourist season.(ABC Western Qld: Danielle O’Neal)

“If this is going on not only here, but with other businesses, we’re all going to struggle.

“We want to get skilled people out here, but we don’t seem to be able to deliver what we offer them.”

two people walk into hotel in Longreach — The Birdcage Hotel is one of Longreach’s busiest pubs.(ABC Western Qld: Danielle O’Neal)

Thousands more waiting

The extreme pressure on Max and his family has been relieved by the sudden issuing of the visas.

But the Restaurant and Catering industry Association says they are many more people still living in limbo due to issues with skilled migration programs.

“There are many stories that we’re hearing about are families that are broken up, people trying to get into the country, very long delays, but the biggest issue that we have is that there is no communication,” CEO Belinda Clarke said.

“That’s the hardest thing, for people to be able to plan and understand what’s happening. Will I get a yes or a no? But there’s no communication.”

More than 56,000 skilled workers entered Australia in the last financial year on the same temporary skill shortage visa as Mr Perera.

But federal government data shows it’s taking between six months to two years to process visas for the families of skilled regional workers.

The Restaurant and Catering Industry Association’s CEO Belinda Clarke says there’s “no communication” in the process of applying for a visa.(Supplied)

The Restaurant and Catering industry Association says there are more than 900,000 visas waiting to be processed by the Australian government.

In a statement, a Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said the demand for skilled workers and processing current visa applications is a priority.

“The upcoming Jobs and Skills Summit will provide the opportunity for meaningful consultation with industry stakeholders, to address labor shortages and ensure Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19,” a spokesperson said.

Ms Clarke — who met with the office of the minister for immigration Andrew Giles this week — said it could take more than six months for the Albanese government to work through the backlog.

“We are so far behind in this processing, that the light isn’t clear of when we’re going to get through this, it’s going to be a good six months to a year [until] we’re really going to be able to get a clearer picture,” Ms Clarke said.

“[The government] is not happy, they know there’s a problem, they are desperately trying to find the solutions and they certainly weren’t expecting it to be such a huge amount that they had to process.

“They are certainly focused on it and trying really hard looking at ways they can get through this, but it’s not going to be a problem that’s fixed in the short term.”

Tags hospitality, migrants, skills, visas, workers

Adams, Abbott trade barbs over Texas migrant buses

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 9, 2022
No Comments on Adams, Abbott trade barbs over Texas migrant buses

Major Eric Adams and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott traded barbs — and blame — Monday following the latest arrival of asylum-seeking Mexican-border migrants relocated from the Lone Star State to the Big Apple.

Adams accused Abbott of being “anti-American” for “shipping” busloads of migrants to New York City in response to what the Republican governor calls President Biden’s “open border policies.”

“Be a true American,” Adams said during an unrelated news conference at Corona Flushing Meadows Park in Queens.

“This is a place where the Statue of Liberty sits in the harbor. And we say, ‘Bring us your tired, those who are yearning to be free.’ And that’s what these asylum seekers are doing.’”

Adams added: “And I don’t think anything is more anti-American than shipping people on a bus, 45-hour trip, without any of the basic needs that they have, or direction, or coordination…There is a humanitarian part of being an American and I think that there’s nothing more anti-American than what he’s displaying right now.”

Major Eric Adams called Texas Gov. Greg Abbott "anti American" for sending buses of migrants to New York City. — Major Eric Adams called Texas Gov. Greg Abbott “anti-American” for sending buses of migrants to New York City.

Migrants from the border in Texas arriving at the 42nd Street bus terminal in Manhattan on August 7, 2022.

“These migrants willingly chose to go to New York City, having signed a voluntary consent waiver, available in multiple languages, upon boarding that they agreed on the destination,” spokeswoman Renae Eze said in a prepared statement.

“If the mayor wants a solution to this crisis, he should call on President Biden to take immediate action to secure the border — something the President continues failing to do.”

Abbott’s office told The Post that about 100 migrants had been sent to New York so far.

On Friday, after 50-plus migrants disembarked at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, Abbott said he planned to continue the program indefinitely, calling New York City an “ideal destination” due to its generous treatment of homeless people.

On Sunday, Adams said only 14 migrants “got off” a bus that officials were “led to believe” should have held about 40 people.

It’s unclear what happened to the others, but Adams said Monday that some were “re-ticketed and went to new locations.”

City Hall later said they received reports that “nonprofits and church groups” have funded some migrants’ travel to other locations.

A spokesperson for Abbott said it was hypocritical for Adams to be upset at migrants arriving since New York is a "sanctuary city." — A spokesperson for Abbott said it was hypocritical for Adams to be upset at migrants arriving since New York is a “sanctuary city.”

According to Abbott's office, 100 migrants have been sent to New York so far. — According to Abbott’s office, 100 migrants have been sent to New York so far.

Adams — who’s said that the city’s shelter system was being overloaded by migrants — also said he’d be taking part in a conference call with the White House as early as Monday afternoon to get “the assistance that we need.”

“When it comes down to hotels, we have a requirement and a mandate by law as being a right-to-shelter city, we have a requirement to house within a period of time and we’re going to use every available means to do so,” he said.

“And that is what we’re doing and we’re living up to that mandate.”

Additional reporting by Reuven Fenton

Tags asylum, eric adams, Greg Abbott, Joe Biden, Meter, migrants, port authority, Texas, us border

Australia

Experienced migrants struggle to find jobs as industry cries out for skilled workers

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 8, 2022
No Comments on Experienced migrants struggle to find jobs as industry cries out for skilled workers

When Vitaly Bazarov and his wife Anna Shmatko moved to Melbourne in June, they knew they could have a better life for their daughter than they would have in Ukraine.

Speaking through an interpreter, Ms Shmatko said, “I’m a Ukrainian patriot, but I fell in love with Australia the moment I got here.”

After being displaced by the war in Ms Shmatko’s home country, the pair came to Australia with their daughter Mariia, and used Facebook to make friends and find support.

But despite being an experienced boilermaker and diver, Mr Bazarov has been unable to find employment.

A man in a wet suit is underwater looking at the camera — Vitaly Bazarov is an experienced diver and underwater videographer.(Supplied: Anna Shmatko)

“This is a great country, but the services are expensive, I am really hoping one of my past careers can help me find a profession here so I can better support us,” he said.

Ms Shmatko believes employers discount her husband’s qualifications because English is not his first language.

“Finding the right people who will appreciate his skills and what he can do has been so hard,” she said.

Since arriving, the couple have been improving their English and actively seeking employment.

One of the ways they have been looking for work is through online groups on social media that aim to help refugees and immigrants settle into Australia.

A man holds his young daughter, they are on the beach pointing to the waves — The couple and their daughter have started new lives in Australia.(Supplied: Anna Shmatko)

It was through one of these groups the pair met Svetlana Khaykina, who volunteers her time to help people who have recently arrived find work and understand the Australian job market.

Writing CVs for refugees

Ms Khaykina, an engineer living in Port Hedland in WA, grew up in Belarus and can communicate proficiently with people from other Slavic language groups.

She has written over a dozen resumes for people, including Mr Bhazarov.

A woman and two children smile at the camera — Svetlana Khaykina uses her industry expertise and Russian to help new arrivals find work.(Supplied: Svetlana Khaykina)

“Writing a CV is a very new thing for a lot of people when they first arrive; most people have no idea to start, it’s not a practice in Ukraine,” she said.

“I can see that Vitaly is extremely marketable especially in places like Port Hedland, he just needs to be given a chance.”

When Ms Khaykina sees job opportunities posted online, she tries to connect employers with immigrants and act as a translator if needed.

In her view, one of the biggest hurdles besides the language barrier is Australia not recognizing overseas certifications.

“People like Vitaly have decades of relevant experience, but even if he finds work he’ll probably have to work at a lower position like a trade assistant which doesn’t require certification,” she said.

Australia needs workers

Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association (AREEA) data suggests the country will need at least 20,000 more workers to join the resources and energy sectors by the end of 2027.

Western Australia will require at least 11,250 of these employees.

AREEA chief executive Steve Knott said the industry was battling the worst skills crisis in a generation.

“Simply, unless industry and government can find some creative solutions, the skills crisis facing not only the resources and energy industry, but all sectors of the Australian economy, will persist for years to come,” he said.

Ms Khaykina said the wide range of highly skilled refugees arriving in Australia was mind boggling, but what was more surprising was the lack of job offers.

“Living in Port Hedland I know there’s a huge labor shortage and as an engineer I’m coming across welders, fitters, engineers, construction workers and all sorts of people.

“But they’re not being given a chance,” she said.

“Especially in Hedland, we need divers like Vitaly to do pile repairs and maintenance, we are always looking for more people with those skills.”

What support is available?

Ms Khaykina said with no end to the war in Ukraine in sight, she would love to see more effort from the Australian government to help resettle people.

“In my understanding there’s about 10,000 Ukrainians in Australia, while 9 million have fled the war; it’s such a great tragedy,” she said.

“When they do get here, they have limited humanitarian visas.”

The Department of Home Affairs said it had granted more than 8,600, mostly temporary, visas to Ukrainians in Ukraine and hundreds elsewhere.

A spokesman said Ukrainian nationals in Australia who were unable to accept the offer of a Temporary Humanitarian Stay could access other visa options.

The government had provided $450,000 to the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations to assist their work to support those arriving in Australia, the spokesman said.

And more than 1,300 Ukrainians had registered with the government’s Adult Migrant English Program, aimed at assisting new migrants and humanitarian entrants to learn English language skills.

Ms Khaykina believed if the government supported qualified refugees and immigrants to secure skilled work it would help solve the skills shortage and provide Ukrainians with a better life in Australia.

While assistance in finding skilled work could be limited, Ms Khaykina said support was available through community legal services.

Victoria Malyk, a migrant support worker in the Pilbara, said there was assistance for those who had recently arrived.

“I can respond to their needs such as help with employment and English lessons through the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support program or SETS.”

A man and a woman with a young girl smiling at the camera, aquarium is in the background — The young family say the community support has been phenomenal.(Supplied: Anna Shmatko)

The program is available to eligible clients, such as refugees and skilled regional workers in their first five years of living in Australia.

From Ms Malyk’s perspective, one of the biggest barriers facing these people are restrictions for some visa holders in accessing subsidized TAFE courses.

She said they usually could not afford high commercial fees.

“Further training is often needed for recognition of prior learning and overseas qualifications,” Mr Malyk said.

For now, Mr Bazarov will keep looking for work where he can use his decades of experience.

“We just need a chance,” he said.

“Once we find somebody who knows the industry and recognizes my skills, I’m sure they would want to take me, I’d be a great asset to any company.”

Tags energy, Industry, migrants, mining, refugees, skilled migrants, skilled workers, skills shortage, ukraine, ukrainian

Democrats suddenly realize open borders are a disaster

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 6, 2022
No Comments on Democrats suddenly realize open borders are a disaster

Republican border-state governors are sending busloads of illegal entrants — released in their states by the Department of Homeland Security — to DC and New York City, prompting recriminations and pleas for federal cash from the Democratic mayors of those erstwhile immigrant-friendly cities.

Those majors, seemingly unwittingly, are making the governors’ point — that the administration has created a disaster at the US-Mexico line, requiring an immediate policy shift to protect lives and state and local finances.

It started in April. Fed up with federal releases of large numbers of migrants into overwhelmed small towns in his state (including Uvalde), Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) began offering migrants free bus trips to DC to shift some of the burden to Washington.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) followed suit in May, and more than 7,300 migrants have since arrived in DC from the two states, creating what even Vanity Fair has termed, “A Migrant Crisis in Washington.”

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), who reaffirmed her town’s status as an immigrant “sanctuary city” after Donald Trump’s 2016 election, now derides Abbott’s and Ducey’s efforts as “cruel political gamesmanship” creating a “humanitarian crisis” in her city that “must be dealt with at the federal level” in a letter to the Department of Defense seeking National Guard support (since rejected).

Bowser was complaining about what, at the time, totaled 4,000 migrants over a three-month period into her city of more than 707,000. In March, by comparison, DHS was dropping off up to 150 migrants per day in Uvalde, population 15,312, or roughly one migrant for every 102 residents daily.

Venezuelan migrants sent by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in DC's Union Station on August 2, 2022. — Venezuelan migrants sent by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in DC’s Union Station on August 2, 2022.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) also weighed in, blaming Texas and Arizona in July for busing 2,800 migrants into his city (population: 8.467 million) over a six-week period, straining the city’s homeless shelters. Adams also demanded federal cash to help his government muddle through.

Both governors denied Adams’ charge, but Abbott apparently viewed it an invitation, as he has just started sending buses to Manhattan, too.

Adams’ office and The New York Times described those migrants in New York as “asylum seekers,” but that’s just mostly untrue. DHS statistics show that between July 2021 and July 2022, the department had cleared fewer than 40,000 “arriving aliens” to apply for asylum in the United States.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser accused the Republican governors of creating a “humanitarian crisis” in her city.

During that same period, however, CBP encountered 2.361 million arrivals at the southwest border, expelled 1.142 million under CDC’s pandemic-related Title 42 orders (that Biden nonetheless opposes) and released around 853,000 into the United States — meaning only about 5% of the migrants Adams is complaining about are really “asylum seekers.”

All those migrants, cleared for asylum or not, were released for removal hearings, which can take years to complete. Nationwide, the average immigration case has been pending 829 days and 953 days in New York. The only relief available to most of those illegal immigrants is asylum, so the ones who do show up for court will apply for that protection to stay here longer, even if they just came to make more money.

The New York Times’ article focused on Venezuelan migrants in New York City. Under Biden, agents at the southwest border have caught 157,600 Venezuelans, 57% of them single adults. Just 1,404 were expelled under Title 42, meaning most of the rest are here indefinitely.

The Times contends the United States cannot send them back to Venezuela — with which America lacks diplomatic relations — but that contention elides the fact that, as The Washington Post reported in January, Biden had struck a deal with Colombia to take back Venezuelans who had resettled there.

Two million displaced Venezuelans have moved to Colombia, and more than a few likely entered illegally. It does not appear, however, that DHS sent many back or even asked apprehended Venezuelans where they were living before they came here.

I’m sympathetic to DC and New York City, but I’ve talked to officials in those much poorer border towns about their struggles to deal with the costs. Perhaps now that Democrats are complaining, the administration will finally pay attention.

Andrew Arthur, a former INS associate general counsel, congressional staffer and staff director, and immigration judge, is the Center for Immigration Studies’ resident fellow in law and policy.

Tags democrats, eric adams, illegal immigrants, Immigration, migrants, muriel bowser, Opinion, us border, washington dc

Gov. Greg Abbott vows more migrant buses coming to NYC

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 5, 2022
No Comments on Gov. Greg Abbott vows more migrant buses coming to NYC

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s office vowed Friday to send even more busloads of border-crossers to the Big Apple — as the Lone Star State continues to grapple with the ongoing migrant crisis.

The Republican governor said the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan would be a drop-off spot going forward after the first busload from the border arrived in the city Friday morning.

“Over 50 migrants were bused to New York City this morning from the southern border in Texas,” Abbott’s office said in a statement.

“This is now a drop-off location for our ongoing seeking strategy.”

Abbott has already dispatched dozens of buses — filled with more than 6,100 migrants — to Washington DC since April.

He vowed to continue to charter buses to both New York and the nation’s capital as his state struggles to deal with the unprecedented number of migrants illegally crossing the US-Mexico border.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott talks with Fox News' Jesse Waters on border issues. — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott talks with Fox News’ Jesse Waters on border issues.

Migrants plead for hospitality after arriving at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

“Because of President Biden’s continued refusal to acknowledge the crisis caused by his open border policies, the State of Texas has had to take unprecedented action to keep our communities safe,” Abbott said in announcing the arrival of the bus at Port Authority Gate 14.

“I hope he follows through on his promise of welcoming all migrants with open arms so that our overrun and overwhelmed border towns can find relief.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vowed to send more migrant buses to the Big Apple.

Adams, who has already warned that NYC’s homeless shelters are being overrun by migrants, turned down Abbott’s invitation to visit the border earlier this week to see the “dire situation” firsthand.

Abbott told Fox News’ Jesse Watters Thursday night that he wished Adams and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser would reconsider his offer.

“They do need to realize the magnitude of the chaos created by Biden’s open-border policies,” Abbott said.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott hopes Mayor Eric Adams will accommodate the migrants.

Governor GREG ABBOTT speaks at the CPAC Texas 2022 conference. — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott previously invited Mayor Eric Adams to visit the US-Mexico border.

“They’re up in arms about a few thousand people coming into their communities over the past few months? Listen, in any one sector in the state of Texas, we have more than 5,000 people coming across [the border] in that sector every single day.”

“We’re full in the state of Texas,” Abbott added. “Our communities are overrun, and I started busing people to Washington DC, when local officials could not handle the number of people that had come across our border.”

Tags eric adams, Greg Abbott, homeless shelters, illegal immigrants, Immigration, migrants, new york city, News, Texas

First bus of migrants from Texas arrives in NYC, Abbott says

Post author By mangakiko
Post date August 5, 2022
No Comments on First bus of migrants from Texas arrives in NYC, Abbott says

Just days after Mayor Eric Adams turned down Greg Abbott’s invitation to visit the southern border, the Texas governor sent a taste of the ongoing migrant emerging to NYC’s doorstep — with the first busload of border-crossers arriving in Manhattan Friday morning.

The Republican governor revealed in a statement that the migrant bus arrived at Gate 14 of the Port Authority Bus Terminal, but did not provide any additional details — such as how many people were on board or their countries of origin.

The arrival of the migrants comes as Abbott has dispatched dozens of buses to Washington DC since April, transporting more than 6,100 migrants to the nation’s capital in “response to the Biden administration’s open border policies overwhelming Texas communities.”

“In addition to Washington, DC, New York City is the ideal destination for these migrants, who can receive the abundance of city services and housing that Mayor Eric Adams has boasted about within the sanctuary city. I hope he follows through on his promise of welcoming all migrants with open arms so that our overrun and overwhelmed border towns can find relief,” he continued.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the first bus full of migrants has arrived at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott hopes Mayor Eric Adams will welcome the migrants arriving in the Big Apple.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott accused Democrats of causing a “historic and preventable crisis.”

In the governor’s announcement, his office pointed to New York City’s right to housing laws which require the local government to provide “emergency shelter for every unhoused person.”

Already, Adams has warned that the homeless shelters in the city are being overloaded with migrants. Previous reporting by The Post confirmed a Department of Homeless Service intake center in the Bronx as well as the Bellevue men’s shelter in Manhattan have seen a growing number of migrants arrive in recent days.

City Hall Press Secretary Fabien Levy later told The Post, “Governor Abbott is finally admitting to what we’ve known he’s been doing all along. His continued use of human beings as political pawns is disgusting, and an embarrassing stain on the state of Texas.”

“New York will continue to welcome asylum seekers with open arms, as we have always have, but we are asking for resources to help do so. We need Washington, DC’s assistance in dealing with the cruel political games being played by inept politicians like the governor of Texas,” Levy added.

Last month, Adams claimed Texas and Arizona had already been transporting migrants to the Big Apple, and called on President Biden to provide federal resources to handle the influx.

However, that assertion was rejected by both Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, who insisted it was the federal government sending migrants to New York.

In response, Abbott Adams invited to visit the southern border to “see firsthand the dire situation.”

The Post has previously reported that Manhattan shelters are experiencing a high volume of migrants seeking refuge.

“Your recent interest in this historic and preventable crisis is a welcomed development – especially as the President and his Administration have shown no remorse for their actions nor desire to address the situation themselves,” Abbott said this week.

“As Governor, I invite you to visit our border region to see firsthand the fire situation that only grows more urgent with each passing day, and to meet with the local officials, who like yourselves, realize this matter deserves immediate federal action.”

Abbott reiterated his invitations to Adams and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser during an appearance on Fox News Thursday night.

“I really wish they would [come down] because public officials across the country, they do need to realize the magnitude of the chaos created by Biden’s open-border policies,” Abbott told host Jesse Watters. “They’re up in arms about a few thousand people coming into their communities over the past few months? Listen, in any one sector in the state of Texas, we have more than 5,000 people coming across [the border] in that sector every single day.”

“We’re full in the state of Texas,” Abbott added. “Our communities are overrun, and I start busing people to Washingon DC, when local officials could not handle the number of people that had come across our border.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott claimed the migrants can find shelter thanks to New York City's housing laws. — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott claimed the migrants can find shelter thanks to New York City’s housing laws.

All of the migrants who have arrived in Washington and New York via the governor’s bus transportation have gone there voluntarily, since they are permitted to travel within the US after being processed by Customs and Border Protection.

Typically, when migrants are released from federal custody after crossing the border and evading expulsion, they are given paperwork allowing them to stay in the US as well as an order to appear in immigration court when their cases can be heard.

In July, Bowser requested help from the National Guard to address the influx of migrants arriving in the city.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott argued he had no choice but to send the migrants to New York after sending busloads to Washington, DC.

A migrant gives a thumbs up after arriving at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

“Our collective response and service efforts have now become overwhelmed,” Bowser wrote in a July 19 request to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

“[O]our homeless services system is already under great strain; and tragically, many families arrive in Washington, DC with nowhere to go, or they remain in limbo seeking onward destinations across the United States.

“With pledges from Texas and Arizona to continue these abhorrent operations indefinitely, the situation is dire,” the mayor added, “and we consider this a humanitarian crisis – one that could overwhelm our social support network without immediate and sustained federal intervention.”

Tags Arizona, eric adams, Greg Abbott, Immigration, migrants, muriel bowser, new york city, News, Texas, us border, washington dc

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