http://www.opposingviews.com/users/oregonians-for-immigration-reform OFIR, Oregonians For Immigration Reform,is a non profit, public service organization whose members believe that our immigration laws and practices must be reformed. We are very critical of the national laws relating to legal immigration and of the enforcement policies of both the Clinton and Bush administrations relative to illegal immigration. We believe that both our national and local governments, including our State legislature and other local governmental bodies, have a role and responsibility to reform our immigration system. Our membership includes Americans of multiple political persuasions, including both Democrats and Republicans. Our ethnic origins are as diverse as is our native population. We are not an arm of any political party or special interest group. Membership in our group is open to any American citizen. OFIR's mission is to inform citizens of the economic, social and environmental costs of out-of-control immigration. OFIR's goals: To end illegal immigration. To set legal immigration levels consistent with maintaining a U.S. population in balance with natural resources sufficient to provide a quality life for our children and grandchildren. http://www.opposingviews.com/questions/should-oregon-pass-the-english-immersion-measure While Obama and McCain slug it out on the national stage, voters in individual states are considering legislation that could have widespread repercussions. In the first of a special election series, Opposing Views examines Oregon’s Measure 58, a proposal that would require “English immersion” in Oregon public schools while limiting foreign language instruction. Do English immersion laws help or harm students? Figure out where you stand now; your state may be next. (Editor's Note: On November 4th, Oregon voters rejected Measure 58) Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:22:46 -0600 http://www.opposingviews.com/questions/should-oregon-pass-the-english-immersion-measure http://www.opposingviews.com/arguments/measure-58-is-revenue-neutral Mark Schwebke, an opponent of Measure # 58 has stated it passage of the measure will cost Oregon schools over a half million dollars.  That is not true.   The truth is that Measure # 58 is revenue neutral. Currently the state of... Oregonians for Immigration Reform Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:04:44 -0500 http://www.opposingviews.com/arguments/measure-58-is-revenue-neutral http://www.opposingviews.com/arguments/ell-esl-led-bilingual-education-has-failed-students In a December 2006 report, the Oregon Department of Education reported that only 22 of 129 school Oregon school districts met the minimum state goal for students in their ESL/ELL/etc. programs. An 80 percent failure rate. The Woodburn School... Oregonians for Immigration Reform Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:06:18 -0500 http://www.opposingviews.com/arguments/ell-esl-led-bilingual-education-has-failed-students http://www.opposingviews.com/arguments/the-oregon-dept-of-education-is-failing-english-language-learners The mission of the Oregon Department of Education should be to set up policies to prepare students to be successful Americans. The best way to accomplish that task is to insure that students can speak English fluently and that they are at grade... Oregonians for Immigration Reform Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:01:23 -0500 http://www.opposingviews.com/arguments/the-oregon-dept-of-education-is-failing-english-language-learners http://www.opposingviews.com/arguments/58-would-implement-educational-practices-that-have-proven-successful For the first 200 years of our republic people have come from all over the world and immigrated to America. They spoke every language on earth. With the exception of few isolated exceptions there were no ELL, ESL or dual language programs, just... Oregonians for Immigration Reform Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:00:59 -0500 http://www.opposingviews.com/arguments/58-would-implement-educational-practices-that-have-proven-successful http://www.opposingviews.com/arguments/oregonians-for-immigration-reform-urge-a-yes-vote-on-measure-58 Measure # 58 would require non-English speaking students who enter into Oregon public schools to be immersed into English.  It allows up to two years of specialized intensive English instruction, giving English language learners grade level... Oregonians for Immigration Reform Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:00:33 -0500 http://www.opposingviews.com/arguments/oregonians-for-immigration-reform-urge-a-yes-vote-on-measure-58