All the News that's fit for IELP.

Introduction
Hello, IELP students! My name is Mr. Bartholomew. Sometimes people call me Mr. B. Many of you already know me from the Summer program, where I have been a teacher's assistant for the past three years.

Currently, I am working on a Master's Degree in journalism at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. A major part of my schoolwork is to write newspaper stories about immigration and homeland security issues in Chicago. You students don't live in Illinois, but you are all immigrants, and you will find that some of the stories relate directly to your lives and experiences. Maybe, you will even find some of them interesting.

This Web site will help you continue learning English. Newspapers are one of the main ways that people find out information about their neighborhoods, their countries and the whole world. It is important to be able to read and understand news stories, and your teachers at the Saturday program will help guide you through the material on this Web site and understand the important information in each story.

Finally, you have one extra-special advantage. Since I wrote all these stories, you can Email me with questions about them or my experiences reporting on them. I will be happy to answer them. Contact me at rafe_bartholomew@yahoo.com.

Now, read those stories!

Immigration and Homeland Security Issues

Haitians Respond to Jeanne with Aid, Anger

• Answer the five W's and H about this story. Who is the story about? What did they do or what happened to them? Where did it happen? When did it happen? Why did they do it? How did it happen?
• Review Questions:
• Why aren't Haitians allowed to enter the U.S.A. as refugees?
• Who is Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., and what does he have to do with this story?
• Do you think that U.S. immigration rules toward Haitians are fair?

Drive Registers 27,000 Immigrant Voters

• Answer the five W's and H about this story. Who is the story about? What did they do or what happened to them? Where did it happen? When did it happen? Why did they do it? How did it happen?
• Why do the organizers of this voter registration drive think that it is important for immigrants to vote?
• Why did immigrants become more interested in voting after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001?
• What issues would be most important to you, if you could vote in this year's election?

911 Service Praised for Terror Readiness

• Answer the five W's and H about this story. Who is the story about? What did they do or what happened to them? Where did it happen? When did it happen? Why did they do it? How did it happen?
• Why is the Chicago mayor's proposal to put 2,000 video cameras in public areas controversial?
• What is more important to you, safety or privacy?

Panel to Investigate Immigrant Work Conditions

• Answer the five W's and H about this story. Who is the story about? What did they do or what happened to them? Where did it happen? When did it happen? Why did they do it? How did it happen?
• Which immigrant group works in the most dangerous conditions?
• How could day labor agencies improve work conditions for immigrant employees?
• What do you think the "American Dream" means to an immigrant day laborer who works dangerous jobs for low pay?

Supreme Court considers Somali Deportation

• Answer the five W's and H about this story. Who is the story about? What did they do or what happened to them? Where did it happen? When did it happen? Why did they do it? How did it happen?
• If the U.S. Supreme Court decides to deport Keyse Jama, how could that affect other immigrants?
• Why do some people think the United States should not be allowed to deport people to Somalia?
• Research: What is the Supreme Court and who are the nine justices?

Pardon Delayed for Innocent Man

• Answer the five W's and H about this story. Who is the story about? What did they do or what happened to them? Where did it happen? When did it happen? Why did they do it? How did it happen?
• Why are Lafonso Rollins' lawyers mad at the State's Attorney in Chicago?
• Why is it important that Rollins receive a reward for the time he served in prison?
• Do you trust the police and the courts in the U.S.A.? How are they different from the police and courts in your country?

Park Forest man Pleads Guilty to Fraud

• Answer the five W's and H about this story. Who is the story about? What did they do or what happened to them? Where did it happen? When did it happen? Why did they do it? How did it happen?
• Why will Ronald Parks' sentencing be postponed until after his brother's case is settled in court?
• Do you think "Tentacle" is a good name for a health care business? Why or why not?