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Our 9 month series, New Hampshire's Immigration Story explored just that... the vast history of who came to New Hampshire, when they came, why they came, the challenges they faced once they landed on Granite State soil and the contributions that they brought to our state. The Exchange, Word of Mouth, and our News Department looked at the issue of immigration from its first arrivals to the newest refugees calling New Hampshire home.We saw how immigration affects our economy, health care, education system, culture and our current system of law. We also looked at what's going on in New Hampshire today, as we uncovered the groups, societies and little known people who are making an impact all over the state.Funding for NH's Immigration Story is brought to you in part by: New Hampshire Humanities Council, Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation, The Gertrude Couch Trust0000017a-15d9-d736-a57f-17ff89e10000

Large Opposition to N.H. Bill That Would Deny Some Immigrants Adult Education

Robert Garrova for NHPR
There were 88 signatures in opposition to SB525. Opponents of the bill worry it will unfairly target adult immigrants who take advantage of English as a Second Language and basic learning classes.

The New Hampshire Senate Education Committee heard testimony on a bill today that would make certain adult education programs available only to legal residents of the state.

 

Republican Senator Andy Sanborn is the primary sponsor of the measure, which he said will direct funds toward students who can legally work in the state.

 

Sanborn posed the question: "Specifically for adult workforce education and training, shouldn't that adult workforce education and training be made available to people who can legally work in America?"

 

But opponents of the bill worry it will unfairly target adult immigrants who take advantage of English as a Second Language and basic learning classes, which are included in some adult education programs.

 

Mary Ngwanda Georges is on the Manchester school board and spoke in opposition to the bill. She immigrated to the U.S. from the Democratic Republic of Congo when she was 33 and took advantage of ESL classes when she arrived.

 

“I came here, I was nurse. But because of the English, that’s what was stopping me to do anything I can do,” Georges said.

 

There were some 88 signatures in opposition to the bill and it was standing room only during the public hearing at the Legislative Office Building. Senate Education Committee Chair John Reagan, who is a co-sponsor of the bill, said he was not hopeful for its passage.

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