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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Report: Illinois Home to a Fast-Growing African Immigrant Community

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Thursday, August 7, 2008   

Chicago, IL – A new snapshot of Illinois immigrants shows the fastest-growing population is coming from Africa. The report also indicates that African immigrants and refugees are the most highly educated members of the immigrant population. Most have arrived in recent years and, when naturalized as U.S. citizens, the report notes that African immigrants are among the most likely to vote.

Alie Kabba, executive director of the United African Organization, says immigrants usually find jobs - but the work often doesn't match their education and skill levels.

"Many Africans coming in are finding it very difficult to translate their credentials, and that is why we see African immigrants with master's degrees driving taxis in Chicago."

More than half of African immigrants have college degrees. And Kabba, who also is on the board of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, believes these newcomers to the state have the potential to help Illinois address critical workforce shortages in healthcare fields, particularly in rural areas.

"We are talking about professors and doctors, social workers, nurses – professionalism that I think will really help to address some of the shortages, especially in the medical field."

The United African Organization released its report jointly with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, with assistance from the Illinois Department of Human Services.



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