Ummm, about that wall.

Embarrassed I didn’t see this before and thankful to a dedicated volunteer with El Paso’s migrant community for pointing it out. If that wall ever gets built, it won’t be where people think. And it won’t address the refugee crisis. This article was just published in the Chatham County Line. I’m posting the full text in Spanish and English here. As always, thanks to Luis Melodelgado for his excellent translation. Thanks also to Julian Sereno. This issue of the Chatham County Line is his last as owner. Decades ago, Julian envisioned a bilingual column for this local paper. His dedication to the column helped lay the groundwork for the support Chatham County shows toward our immigrant neighbors.

Nora HaennSeptember 20, 2019migration, Chatham County Line, North Carolina

How about some good news on immigration?

School teachers, county health officials, local police officers, and other everyday public servants are quietly improving life in North Carolina for immigrant-receiving communities. Read about one such initiative here.

Nora HaennMay 20, 2019North Carolina, migration, Chatham County Line

Hard to Believe There's Still Talk about a Border Wall / Efectos del muro en la migración

I wrote this a little while back, but at this rate, I may be re-posting the article annually. It’s hard to believe because researchers have known for decades a border wall with Mexico will not keep people out. If anything, our current system of border security tends to keep people in . This article published in Chatham County Line explains the unexpected consequences of building a wall. Be sure to check out the Spanish language version courtesy of Luis Melodelgado's skillful translation!

Nora HaennApril 11, 2019migration, North Carolina, Chatham County Line, US-Mexico relations

Family Separation...A 5-yr-old's View

This article was just published anonymously in the Chatham County Line. Other than the actress Diana Guerrero’s account, we have few stories from the children separated from their parents by deportation. I thought it important to post this one. As these young people grow into their own, we can expect to hear more stories like this one.

Nora HaennFebruary 15, 2019migration, Chatham County Line, North Carolina

This is why people seek asylum / Razones por las cuales buscan el asilo

I wrote this column for the Chatham County Line in response to the removal of domestic violence and gang rule as grounds for seeking refugee status in the United States. Thank you to Luis Melodelgado for the translation into Spanish…

Nora HaennJuly 20, 2018migration, Chatham County Line

What's the data on chain migration? / La "cadena migratoria" en cifras

Listening to news about “chain migration,” I was confused. I could not tell how many people come to the United States through chain migration. If chain migration is a problem, how big or small a problem is it? This article digs into some numbers.

Nora HaennMay 6, 2018migration, Chatham County Line

Getting Local Development Right? / "Pollera" expande territorio

Recent events in Chatham County, North Carolina highlight the challenges to getting local development right. Working on improving your Spanish? Read Luis Melodelgado's translation.

Nora HaennApril 7, 2018Chatham County Line, development

Can Undocumented Immigrants "Go Home and Get in Line"? / Visas migratorias ¿Dónde comienza la fila?

In the latest issue of the Chatham County Line, I explore this question. The article appears in English and Spanish. Many thanks to Luis Melodelgado for the translation!

Nora HaennFebruary 5, 2018migration, North Carolina, Chatham County Line