Newburgh is a city of about 28,000 people in Orange County, NY, about 20% of whom were born outside of the U.S. The city’s large immigrant community has helped to stabilize population numbers, which had begun to decline in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, immigrants in Newburgh come from a panoply of countries such as Haiti, Peru, Jamaica, and elsewhere.
Mexican Diaspora
However, most of the immigrants who have made their way to Newburgh have come from Mexico, specifically from the states of Puebla, Jalisco, and Oaxaca. These first-generation immigrants have historically been able to find work in the area’s orchards, farms, and factories. Many have started their own restaurants serving food from back home like tlayudas (crispy tortilla served with beans, meat, and other ingredients), mole poblano (spiced chocolate sauce), and tortas ahogadas (salsa drowned sandwiches). Meanwhile, their children began attending local schools and became bilingual in both English and Spanish.
The DACA Program in Newburgh
When President Barack Obama launched the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2012, it provided an opportunity for young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to apply for a work authorization card and relief from any adverse consequences due to their immigration status. More than 800,000 immigrants across the country (81% of whom are Mexican citizens) have been approved for the program, and legal services providers offered free application assistance events in Newburgh.
Over the years, the impact of the DACA program on Newburgh has been profound. Many beneficiaries have gone on to become green card holders and even American citizens, for example through marriage with an American citizen. Others have utilized DACA to apply for travel documents that enabled them to see their family members, or to apply for scholarships to attend college.
Family Reunification
As more and more immigrants in Newburgh go on to become green card holders and American citizens, immigration will continue to play an important role in the city. Family petitions will allow them to sponsor their siblings, children, parents, and spouses or fiancés back home to become green card holders themselves. Other programs, such as the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan parole program, have allowed citizens of these countries to immigrate to the U.S as temporary visitors, who often join friends or family members in established places such as Newburgh.
Newburgh, NY Immigration Lawyer
If you live or work in Newburgh and need to speak with an immigration attorney, please get in touch today. +1 845-288-2435 / info@beaconimmigration.net.
Beacon Immigration PLLC is a law firm located in the Hudson Valley of New York at 6 Eliza Street, Beacon, NY 12508 (Dutchess County).
