Look up for literacy

Local Open Door is ready to teach if President Obama's new immigration policy means more ESL students

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN

On Nov. 20, President Obama announced a series of executive actions to grant up to five million undocumented immigrants protection from deportation. His Comprehensive Reform Act will also strengthen border security, crack down on employees hiring undocumented workers and streamline the process of legal immigration.

According to the Migration Policy Institute, there are currently 11.4 million immigrants “living in the shadows” in the United States. The centerpiece of Obama’s plan will be to create a new temporary legal status for approximately four million undocumented parents of children born in this country, who have been here for at least five years. This conditional legal status, called DAPA (Deferred Action for Parental Accountability) will be granted for three years at a time.  Recipients will be authorized to work and receive a social security card. It’s expected that applications will start to be taken on or around May 20, 2015.

One of the major requirements for immigrants to earn this temporary legal status is that they learn English.

The Open Door Learning Center, a program of the Minnesota Literacy Center, offers life changing literary services for kids, youth and adults. It’s easy to miss The Open Door, which is located on the second floor of the Coliseum Building at 2700 E. Lake St. Next time you find yourself at that corner, look up two stories to see their signage or better yet, arrange to make a visit by calling 612-483-1763. The Open Door offers classes in English language, GED, civics, work-readiness, math and computers. There are also many ways to volunteer - call to learn about becoming a classroom tutor with children or adults, or to help with office work or intake assistance.

The mission of The Open Door is to share the power of learning through education, community building and advocacy. According to Patrick Smith, evening program coordinator, “Our student numbers are growing, with waiting lists for some morning classes.”

His colleague, Nikki Carson-Padilla, has been teaching at the East Lake site for ten years. “Over the years, the nature of ESL classes has changed,” she said. “We still offer basic introductory classes, but more often people are coming to this country able to speak some English. The focus is changing from teaching life skills to getting students started on a career path.”

When asked how they thought Presidents Obama’s executive action might impact their work at The Open Door, both Smith and Carson-Padilla said it was hard to guess.

If greater numbers of immigrants come forward and need more classes, they can expect to be well-received at The Open Door. All classes are offered free of charge, and are available during day time and evening hours. Parking is available in the clinic parking lot on 27th St., and there is easy access from the 21A bus on Lake St. or the near-by LRT.

Winter session begins Jan. 5, though a student can start a class at any time if there’s room. Ring in the New Year by looking up for literacy, either as a student or a volunteer, and learn what the Open Door Learning Center has to offer.