U.S. Mexican Border

For most people who are born outside of the United States, one of their greatest accomplishments would be to gain citizenship in America. Most immigrants would do just about anything, to become a citizen. Once they reach the border, however, they are met with a huge reality. The process of crossing the border is a long and difficult process. Watching the Vise President Mike Pence’s speech, at a naturalization ceremony, it showed me the process of granting immigrants citizenship.

Those individuals or families who have been permanent residents (green card holders) of the United States are eligible to apply for citizenship. Eligible applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Individuals must be in good standing legally and morally. They must be able read, write and speak basic English, understand U.S. history and government. Last but not least, when immigrants are sworn into citizenship, they must take an oath of allegiance to the United States. If one doesn’t meet these qualifications, they are not eligible for citizenship.

As Vise President Pence presents his speech. He makes the U.S. seem like the best place on earth to reside. He said something during his speech that stick out to me. He stated “You’re inheriting a legacy that’s been borrowed a price.” The reason this quote grasped my attention is because from learning what have from this class, it is evident that many immigrants have in fact risk a lot if not everything, for citizenship in the U.S. Vise President Pence also, creates a clean cut, morally correct image regard the United States and it people. As if we don’t have a multitude of issues that need to be addressed.

As far as my views on the U.S. from being born here and living here my while life, I can say that Vise President Pence’s views ate highly hippo critical to the reality. The reality being that there are many people who are homeless, jobless, in debt, along with a long string of other issues. As opposed to solving these problems the government would rayher suppress them, pretending as of everything is under control.

1. How do immigrants feel once the recite the saying of the naturalization ceremony?
2. Do immigrants ever regret moving to the U.S.

Grade 5/5

 

 

 

Since the beginning of time, people have migrated from their home lands to new territories, in search of a more sustainable and satisfying lifestyle. However, once they reach foreign lands, they realize there are new challenges that arise. The new agenda’s that form into fruition, will test one’s will power. You either fail or succeed. Listening to Bruce Springsteen’s American Land, and Moxie Raia and Wyclef Jean’s Follow Me, presented to the listener an interpretation of migrant life. Reading YBCA Zine about Favianna Rodriguez, gave me her view on the importance of immigrants being able to tell their own stories. Immigration conversations are much needed, as it brings forth understanding from a universal perspective.

Bruce Springsteen is a revered musician, whose musical catalogue has extensively impacted people for generations. In his song American land, he covers many immigration topics such as Ellis Island in NYC, a federal immigration center. He also speaks on his own Italian immigration heritage, as well the other major immigration groups (Blacks, Irish, Germans, and Jews). “The Blacks, the Irish, Italians, the Germans and the Jews
Come across the water a thousand miles from home. With nothing in their bellies but the fire down below. They died building the railroads worked to bones and skin.” Within the quote annotated above, Springsteen credits immigrants who have worked hard to build the country. Many have sacrificed their lives trying to do so. Many have came to this country with little to nothing, only to leave this world with the same.

Moxie Raia and Wyclef Jean’s Follow Me, has a visual concept to match their lyrics. Listening to the song while watching the video in the background presents empathy from the viewer. You are shown the hardships and chances thousands of refugees take to reach lands filled with better opportunity. Some images contain individuals with sorrow filled in their eyes. Other images of people who look uncertain, but have the courage to take they changes in hopes of a better tomorrow.

 

1. Why did Ellis Island close down?
2. Approximately how many grants are given to immigrants, per year, to fund their businesses?

Many undocumented immigrants come to the United States in hopes of a prosperous life, as opposed to the ones they left behind. However, what they fail to realize is, there are more loopholes and challenges that come with being an undocumented immigrant. Christina Martinez shares her heart felt, life altering story, on the Netflix series Chef’s Table. Christina captivates the audience by showing us her talents in Barbacoa, how she acquired them, and how she went on to own a business of her own. She proudly flaunts her immigration story through her voice as well as her through her food she prepares for her customers daily.

Since a young girl growing up in Central Mexico. Christina’s father used to cook Barbacoa, and from observation and practice, she learned the family skill. Years later, she would find refuge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to an extent. She found work as chef, but language boundaries as well as the thought of being deported still lingered through her mind. She had to find a solution, quick. Christina has made many sacrifices before she came to the U.S. One was her toxic relationship with her ex husband, who subjected her to “nothing more than a worker” for his family’s Barbacoa business. Experiencing such pain from the person she loved dearly, fueled her ambition to be greatest at what she does.

Intersecting her experiences through her business, by using her food and voice to advocate for undocumented immigrants, she spreads awareness to those who might be ignorant to the facts. This is the epitome of taking an intersecting approach to understanding migration experiences. Many other immigrants follow this technique by ways of art, such as paintings, sculptures, etc. Other immigrants use social media platforms to article their intersecting approach.

There are various facets to being an immigrant, especially when it pertains to finding a job.  The language barrier plays a crucial role as well as race. According to Research: The Immigrant Income Gap, by Harvard Business Review, “People of color earn 8% less than white people.” Therefore opportunities are selective to those in which are favored by society. Many immigrants lack this type of knowledge until this reality is smacked in their faces.

1. Has Christina made amends with her ex husband?
2. Will Christina make plans to open up a second restaurant?

5/5

1. As generations go by and progress, the definitions of words constantly take on new meanings. One word in particular that has taken on a different denotation is refugee. The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees presented its own connotations. The 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Immigrants, altered the definition of the 1951 convention. Now today we are fed a completely distinct definition and set of laws.

During WW2 states and countries held on to strict disciplines and guidelines, which in return had a massive effect on immigration laws. At the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, there were a number of points broken down. The convention mainly explained who was considered a refugee. According to the convention, the definition of s refugee is “someone who is unwilling or unable to return to their country of origin owning to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.” Those not included in the definition are people who have committed war crimes or crimes against humanity.

1.In the near future, what will be the next set of laws for immigration?

2. How similar or different will immigrants be viewed in society, in the next 10-15 years?
4/5

For the past 10-15+ years, immigrant deterrence programs have been put in place by U.S., Australian, and Norwegian governments. One of their primary objectives is to eliminate the amount of illegal immigrants crossing their borders. Each government’s deterrence campaigns have a vast impact on the public perception of immigrants. Watching “No Way”, “Stricter Asylum Regulation in Norway”, and “Know the Facts”, gave me further insight on just how cruel governments can be. After reading Professor Bishop’s, “An International Analysis of Governmental Media Campaigns to Deter Asylum Seekers, I feel there is more to add to the discussion.

Professor Bishops read gave me insight on specifically how far government sponsored programs go, to ensure less immigrants are admitted into their countries. According to the second paragraph, first page, “Families arriving at the southern border of the United States are routinely separated from each other  and held in detention centers with too little food and inadequate medical care.” The same practice is prevalent in countries like Australia and Norway. Places such as these also deny illegal immigrants jobs and social security, making it merely impossible for them to survive in their new environment.

Although various tactics are implemented, the number of immigrants fleeing to different countries continues to increase. The three deterrence campaign videos as well as reading the passage, compliment each other in the message governments send to immigrants. These campaigns are narrated in a way that attempts to create fear, in hopes that immigrants might reconsider crossing their borders. They state negative connotations such as “it isn’t safe to come here,” there are smugglers here,” there is no place for you here,” etc…

Along with the media propaganda, there is more to the agenda than reducing immigration. By keeping immigrants out of country borders, governments are able to create free labor systems, from inmates. Many jobs, especially in the U.S., are occupied by immigrants; who essentially work for less money than the average American. Removing most of the immigrants, result in occupations that need to be filled. Many companies are now turning to private owned jails who facilitate free labor or labor with very little compensation. That means less money companies have to spend on employees, and more money in the executives’ pockets.

It is safe to say that government organizations who push for immigrant deportation, only care about their own self interests. They will go to any extreme to ensure the removal of as many immigrants as possible. The contradiction to this motive is that immigrants are the ones who build and establish almost if not all major territories. They bring with them customs and traditions that are adopted by the nations they flee to. In return, these governments show immigrants little to no respect. Let that sink in.

Questions:

1. When is the world court going to step in and regulate change to these unfair governmental policies?
2.If all immigrants were deported back to their homelands, what would happen to industrialized cites in the next couple of years?

5/5

The Until recent, the topic of immigration never crossed my mind on a broad ethical scale. After watching Caitlin Dickerson’s “Baby Constantin”, listening to “A House Divided by Immigration Status”, National Public Radio, and reading Laura Bush’s op-ed “Separating Children…Breaks my heart, I’m able to grasp the trauma of being separated from family. Hearing and reading each narrated account from a personal point of view gave me the feeling of empathy. The government must come up with a greater solution, than the one currently implemented. No family deserves to be separated from each other, due to immigration status.

The stories, podcasts, and videos I’ve watched for this class have educated me immensely, on immigration and the effects they present. From my family, I don’t have much knowledge of immigration. The only facts given to me from my maternal side was that my great grandmother was a native indigenous woman who migrated from Alabama to Pennsylvania. In doing so, she pursued a better life for herself as well as her five children.

Former first lady Laura Bush’s op-ed,“Separating Children…Breaks my heart, contains some very crucial points. The story reveals that our culture (U.S culture), has a history of being generous to other nations. However, we also have a history of discrimination, that is currently being repeated.  Bush offers the example of the Japanese concentration camps forced by Americans, to those who weren’t citizens, as a similar occurrence with the “zero-tolerance” immigration law. We should be advocating for families to be together, as opposed to apart. She states something in the early part of the op-ed that should be agreeable to most. “…this zero-tolerance policy is cruel. It is immoral and it breaks my heart.”

Caitlin Dickerson’s “Baby Constantin”, struck a nerve in me. It saddened me deeply to learn that a new born baby was separated from his mother and father at just 4 months old. Baby Constantin was held in foster care for 5 months before finally being united with his family. This particular story has a larger effect, due to the fact that the main character is a baby. It creates a vulnerability in the viewer, when watching. Especially in those who have children of their own or take care of children. “Baby Constantin”, is relatable to almost everyone, on a moral level, regardless of race, culture, or religion.

Of the many children how are separated from their families, How many of them are actually united with their families again?

Will congress pass a law that is more lenient toward immigration, in the near future?

Grade 4/5

 

The very controversial government agency, ICE, has damaged many immigrant families across the United States, by separation, often times permanently. Both Immigration Nation : Episode 1 (Netflix.com), and Think You Know Ice (ledger-enquirer.com) highlight the daily job operations of ICE, and the extreme impact they have on a global level. However, the Netflix series Immigration Nation captures the defensive side of ICE Police. The depictions of  their actions and justifications, adding further emotion to the series. It also grants the audience more than one perspective.

Immigration Nation: Episode 1 grasped my undivided attention from beginning to end. Each scene brings forth a narration of each character presented and compels us, the viewers, with the horrors of being detained by ICE, and deported back to their home countries. The background music during this episode is a kin to that of other crime shows, such as 48 Hours, 20/20, etc. A stand out scene during episode 1 is around 10:10, ICE Operation Day 2: Keep Safe, one of the officers describes his job as a great one that offers stable income. He also states that he is used to being called names such as “Nazi”. The first question that popped into my brain was, how can a person lack morals so much they would be suffice with breaking families apart for a living? I guess for some individuals, a price tag is all it takes.

Another pivotal scene from this episode is 17:34. ICE searches a family’s home early on the morning, and ends up detaining them all. They are referred to as collaterals. The collaterals are extra immigrants the officers weren’t looking for in particular, but ended up being searched and arrested, just for being at the same location as the intended target. Efran, ICE Fugitive Operations officer, drives one of the illegal immigrants to the police station. On their way to the station, the gentleman asks him a question that stood out. At 22:13 he asks Efran, “Were you born here?”. Efran replies, “ It’s really…irrelevant…at this point. You could feel the regret and pain as he responds. From observing Efran, you can tell he himself comes from an immigrant family.

Think you know ICE, captures the very cruelty that ICE as an agency embodies. From the melancholy music, to the illustrations, the viewer is able to understand the lack of Ethics ICE has. One is also able to see the many people oppose and protest against such negativity. The whole world comprehends the morally unjust tactics, yet our government seems to not care at all. Those of us who do care can only bring further awareness to this unfortunate reality, and hope for the best in the future.

Questions:
1.How far will one go just to “do their job”?

2. What exactly made President Trump reverse the Immigration Law?

Personal Rating: 5/5

 

The ever uncertainty of the Corona Virus pandemic has certainly shifted the world in just about every aspect, as we know it. For my life, COVID-19 has forced me to become more in touch with technology for communication, travel less, and continue my education virtually. Not to mention, we all are urged to wear masks on our faces at all times, while out in public. After reading, “The importance of Effective Communication While Working from Home”, by Platform Magazine, “How Coronavirus Could Make People Move”, by Politico, as well as watching World Economic Forum, “Shutdown of the Border Leaves Migrants in Limbo, I have a much broader outlook on just how impactful COVID-19 has become in such a short timespan.

Communication is a major factor in one form or another, in everyone’s lives. Coronavirus has forced many of us to switch from communication in person, to communicating virtually, almost all the time. I too have been forced to communicate through zoom for college. This is extremely new to me. I am so used to being in a physical classroom and interacting face to face with my professors, as well as my classmates. This transition is extremely flexible, due to fact that you can travel and be inside a virtual class room. On the contrary, it is something I am still getting myself used to. According to Rix (platformmagazine.com), ” He and his wife had to be intentional and direct about their communication of sharing the duties of home-schooling their children while they are both working from home.” A plus side to COVID-19, is being able to unwind at home, and spend more time with family.

However, there are many downsides to the pandemic. While watching World Economic Forum, “Shutdown of the Border Leaves Migrants in Limbo, I learned that for many immigrants who hope to be granted citizenship in America, now have to wait even longer, because the border is shut down. Many families have to constantly deal with the pressures of life as a refugee, while keeping themselves and family members protected from Coronavirus. I could only imagine how impactful these types of pressures can be. I agree with a statement made during the video of the Trump administration using the pandemic as an excuse to refuse immigrants into the country. Immigrants are the foundation of America, with out them America simply would not survive.

Questions:

1. Has relationships between spouses and family members improved on a large scale, due to the impact of COVID-19?
2. Does immigration services offer outside donations to individuals living in refugee camps?

4/5