Immigrants Aren't Criminals--They're Often Victims
Domanik, Undergraduate Student (UM-Dearborn) Looking back at American history there are many patterns that reveal themselves. One pattern that I am particularly interested in is how time and time again when we have faced a group that we do not like or disagree with we quickly begin to paint an ugly picture of them. We often demonized or depicted that group as savages, evil, or sneaky. During the red scare era we depicted Russia or communists in general as pure chaos, destruction, and devilish. Communism and the people supporting it were people to be feared. During WWII the Japanese were shown as sneaky backstabbing people that were not to be trusted. Often being represented by propaganda of snakes, rats, or just people with over-exaggerated and racist facial features made to look scary. This strategy has not been limited to use against “outsiders.” African Americans were commonly pictured as primitive, savage, and dangerous. Stereotypes that still persist today. This leads us to today where Latin American immigrants are the current targets of this generalized and very incorrect system of political propaganda and depiction by society. They much like African Americans are thought of as mostly criminals. With millions of Latin Americans immigrating to the U.S, politicians are saying that with them they are bringing crime and that if we allow them to come to the U.S they will cause chaos and pose a danger to everything we love. There is no single concrete answer as to why we often turn to painting such ugly pictures of certain groups. With Latin Americans, researchers such as Martinez (2002) suggest such assumption between immigrants and crime stems from the visualization of simply seeing a high percentage of Latin Americans go through the justice system. From a political standpoint, such arguments are also always used to obtain some type of goal or paint a picture of that population to the public. Although immigration has always been a hot topic in the U.S, President Trump exacerbated concerns over immigrants and crime. Mainly focusing on those coming from Mexico, Trump said that these people are responsible for high increases in violent crimes. His words and policies dramatically impacted the lives of millions, yet his claims were never backed by data. Most research demonstrates that the opposite is actually true: immigrants have lower—not higher—crime rates than U.S.-born citizens. For example, in ‘The Trump Hypothesis: Testing Immigrant Populations as a Determinant of Violent and Drug‐Related Crime in the United State,” David Green (2016) has produced convincing evidence that there is no association between immigrant population size and increases in violent crime. Research also demonstrates that Latin Americans are highly vulnerable to victimization here in the U.S. While we do admit many thousands of immigrants to the U.S. each year through the visa process, the U.S simply does not make enough visas available each year to accommodate the demand. That often leaves those from places such as Mexico with a difficult choice. Either stay in their home country, unable to make ends meet, or risk going to the U.S, where most of the jobs are, illegally. Without a valid immigration status, immigrants become vulnerable to crime and exploitation—especially in the workplace. Many people insist that these people are criminals and a danger to our society, yet this group of people is suffering from being underpaid, overpriced, and just getting taken advantage of in general. Those in high positions of power in the meatpacking industry or fresh produce industries that needed laborers that would be willing to work in harsh conditions looked towards immigrants to work. Most native born Americans would not take up jobs that require you to stay out in the harsh southern sun for 8+ hours a day and get paid as little as the employers offered. Unfortunately, because many laborers are here illegally companies realize that they can get away with things that they otherwise might not, such as illegally paying workers less than minimum wage. Not only do these workers get underpaid, but some even put their life at risk because managers will be more reckless and supply less safety measures on the job. Workers may not get breaks or they get fired for no reason at all. Most immigrants are too scared to stand up and say something about some of the poor treatment they get because they are not technically allowed to work in the U.S. They are afraid that they will be detained, deported, or both. The bottom line is that undocumented immigrants here in the U.S lack meaningful labor protections despite the fact that constitutional protections, as well as federal labor laws, apply to workers regardless of their immigration status. They are left with no safety nets that allow anyone to take advantage of them. They are vulnerable and that needs to change. We must combat the false narrative that immigrants are prone to criminality with the truth. This inaccurate picture has convinced many Americans that they are not safe with immigrants in this country. In terms of immigrant victimization, we need reform. While many laborers are here undocumented, that does not give us permission to treat them as anything less than human. They need meaningful protection under the law just as much as anyone else. References: 1. Ackerman, R., Alissa & Furman, Rich (2014). The Criminalization of immigration: Context and Consequences. Carolina Academic Press. 2. Green, David. (2016) The Trump Hypothesis: Testing Immigrant Populations as a Determinant of Violent and Drug‐Related Crime in the United States. Social Science Quarterly. 97(3) 506-524. 3. Martinez, Ramiro. (2002) Latino Homicide: Immigration, Violence, and Community. Taylor & Francis Group.
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Dreaming of More Than DACA
Fatme, Undergraduate Student (UM-Dearborn) Back in 2012, President Obama proposed DACA. It was created to allow undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children to live in the U.S., go to school, and work, without fear of deportation. However, technically, they could still be deported. Moreover, DACA does not offer a pathway to citizenship to anyone. Every two years recipients must renew their DACA application, if they do not renew it on time they will not be protected from deportation. CBS News conducted a poll to see what percent of Americans are in favor of DACA. Results show that 70% of Americans are in favor and Congress seems to be working on a long-term fix for DACA. Americans believe that it is not fair for children who came to the United States by force with their parents to fear deportation and struggle to work and go to school. Since DACA is an executive order and is within the power of the President to create or eliminate it. Congress cannot terminate an executive order, but they can pass bills that have to be approved in both the House and the Senate, then signed into law by the President which then would overturn executive orders. People brought to this country as children should not be blamed for lacking a valid immigration status and should not have to worry about their fates should DACA be terminated. All parents want is what’s best for their children—a better life and opportunities than they had growing up. What needs to be passed is a law that would grant citizenship to young undocumented immigrants whether they are or are not currently protected under DACA, this way these individuals and their families do not have to live in fear of deportation for the rest of their lives. On March 18, 2021, President Biden took matters into his own hands; a law soon and hopefully will be passed will open a path to citizenship for young undocumented immigrants. All House democrats voted to approve this bill, and it passed by a vote of 228 to 197. The bill’s purpose is to afford legal status to more than 2.3 million "Dreamers," or unauthorized immigrants who came to the U.S. as minors, as well as beneficiaries of certain temporary humanitarian programs, to gain permanent legal status and eventually, U.S. citizenship. I can’t even begin to imagine how thrilled and thankful DACA recipients and other undocumented immigrants feel about this. If this bill is passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Biden it will significantly improve the lives of millions of immigrants who will no longer have to live in fear. They will be able to go about their days knowing that they are protected and safe from deportation. American is known as the land of opportunities—let’s ensure that we live up to this promise. References: 1. Anon. 2020. “What Is DACA and Who Are the DREAMers?” Anti-Defamation League (https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/table-talk/what-is-daca-and-who-are-the-dreamers). 2. Dhalla, Leezia. 2018. “Perspective | I'm a 'Dreamer.' I Might Only Have Weeks Left in the Country I Love.” The Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2018/03/05/im-a-dreamer-i-might-only-have-weeks-left-in-the-country-i-love/). 3. Montoya-Galvez, Camilo. 2021. “House Passes Immigration Bills with Path to Citizenship for ‘Dreamers’ and Farmworkers.” CBS News (www.cbsnews.com/news/daca-immigration-reform-farmworkers-citizenship-house-passes-bills/). Photo by Kelly Sikkema on UnsplashA Pathway to Citizenship?
Maya, Undergraduate Student (UM-Dearborn) Immigrants in the United States have long been victimized, whether by the tedious healthcare system, the brutal workforce, or the spiraling education system. Instead of immigration reform proposals that frequently get swept under the rug, permanent legislative solutions would be beneficial for all. In 2020, the Current Population Survey (CPS) recorded 85.7 million immigrants, including immigrants and their U.S.-born children. Providing a pathway to citizenship can help eliminate the victimization and targeting of immigrants by predators from the system. Immigrants often face victimization in the workplace. Language barriers and unfamiliarity with the system can create an opportunity for business owners to take advantage of their employees. Immigrant are confronted with daunting barriers in the workforce, including being paid less than minimum wage or nothing at all, brutal working conditions with no restroom or lunch breaks, and difficulties joining unions. For example, as revealed in the New York Times article, “The Price of Nice Nails,” the young Asian and Hispanic women employed in New York’s nail salons often work approximately 10- to 12-hour shifts. New employees are charged to begin the job, obviously a ridiculous scam as the boss is taking advantage of the unknowing immigrants. These hardworking women would work for no wages and try to make it on the tips cheap customers give them. Salon owners exploit their employees by constant video surveillance, humiliation in front of customers, physical and emotional abuse, and having their tips taken as a “punishment.” Furthermore, these employers are rarely ever punished themselves for the inappropriate workplace behavior. In some cases, such as the nail salon in East Northport, New York, lawsuits arise for workers being underpaid, $1.50 per hour for working a 66-hour workweek. Nonetheless, these women continue to show up for work every day to make ends meet somehow. Many immigrants in the workforce are in the country without work permits or authorization if any kind. This leaves them extremely vulnerable to the hungry system. Workplace raids were heavily common under the Trump administration and had major consequences on the communities. Law enforcement, such as ICE, often cracked down on workplaces that were known to employ many undocumented immigrants. This, in turn, ended up making the workplace and its conditions very poor for the remaining employees. If the immigrants were to speak up, the risk of deportation increased therefore making them even more vulnerable and likely to keep quiet, or else they face some form of physical or emotional abuse. To eliminate this predatory behavior and victimization on immigrants, it is imperative to provide them a way out. A clear path to citizenship would prove helpful for both the immigrants and the economy. As the George W. Bush Presidential Center states, “it’s unreasonable to deport millions of people who are working, contributing, and positively impacting our communities.” One remedy would be to dramatically shorten the waiting time for immigrant visas via familial sponsorships. Completely eradicating the quotas and caps on the number of people who can come in from each country can aid to make the waiting time shorter. There is no clear reason as to why legislatures place a cap on countries. Another procedure that can be utilized is granting more people temporary worker visas which would grant them legal status. Yet, it is important to note that this would not lead to permanent residence in the United States—still, anything is better than deportation. A solution for undocumented immigrants who currently reside in the United States might look like proving that you pay your taxes in order to qualify you for some sort of visa, temporary or permanent. Research reviewed by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office determined that between 50-75% of undocumented immigrants pay federal, state, and local taxes. The issue of immigration is often weaponized by politicians running for office. Yet, there is an attainable solution. Immigration reform is possible with the riddance of propaganda and emotion. Paving a pathway to citizenship for the deserving immigrants will prove healthy, both in decreasing immigration victimization and for the economy. References: 1. Anon. 2007. “The Impact of Unauthorized Immigrants on the Budgets of State and Local Governments.” Congressional Budget Office. Retrieved April 6, 2021 (https://www.cbo.gov/publication/41645). 2. Anon. n.d. “Solutions for Undocumented Immigrants: Bush Center.” Solutions for Undocumented Immigrants | Bush Center. Retrieved April 6, 2021 (https://www.bushcenter.org/publications/resources-reports/reports/immigration-white-papers/solutions-for-the-undocumented.html). 3. Batalova, Jeanne and Mary Hanna. 2021. “Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States.” Migrationpolicy.org. Retrieved April 6, 2021 (https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/frequently-requested-statistics-immigrants-and-immigration-united-states-2020). 4. Kercher, Glen and Connie Kuo. 2008. “Victimization of Immigrants.” Crime Victims Institute. Retrieved April 5, 2021 (http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/documents/ImmigrantVictimizationfinalcorrected.pdf). 5. Spiggle, Tom. 2019. “Why Workplace Abuse Plagues Undocumented Workers.” Forbes. Retrieved April 6, 2021 (https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomspiggle/2019/08/22/why-workplace-abuse-plagues-undocumented-workers/?sh=c34062f49b20). Photo by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash Racial Profiling of the Muslim Community
Mariam, Undergraduate Student (UM-Dearborn) Racial profiling undermines the citizenry's civil liberties and does not accord minorities with equality before the law, which is a constitutional guarantee. What indeed must be critiqued is whether profiling based on race undermines the constitutionally protected principles of equality and liberty. These principles are embodied in the United States Constitution: the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. The FBI's Shared Responsibility Committees program consists of committees that include social workers, religious leaders, counselors, and community members tasked with surveilling the Muslim American community. The goal of the program is to intervene with people whom the FBI considers to be at greater risk of radicalization in a bid to halt any expected radicalization. Yet, this encourages increased racial profiling where communities, such as Muslims, are treated as security threats by virtue of their identities to justify constant surveillance. It has been argued that the Shared Responsibility Committees program is ineffective and stigmatizes Muslim-Americans that works to erode goodwill from Muslim Americans, which can be a valuable asset for law enforcement agencies struggling to curb terror activities. In short, under this program Muslim communities are subjected to wholesale racial profiling that is inappropriately interpreted as a security measure. The major problem with entrenching stereotypes is that it alienates a class of people and, in this case, solely based on their religious affiliations. Alienation of minority groups such as Muslims in the fight against terrorism in the United States deprives the minority groups their rights and privileges as United States citizens. This alienation may also drive them into terror activities, especially if the law enforcement agencies wear the hat of prosecutors rather than protectors. Racial profiling can lead to civil liberties violations. Racialized state surveillance involves repressing Muslims' freedom of opinion, movement, and association. Many argue that simply because Muslim and other Islamic converts have been targeted for radicalization by terror groups does not mean that their civil liberties should be suspended. Opponents of the program have also raised ethical concerns about enlisting medical and counseling professionals in the "fight against terrorism." The Shared Responsibility Committees program's ineffectiveness is succinctly expressed by Sahar Aziz. In "Racial profiling by law enforcement is poisoning Muslim Americans’ trust," Aziz ponders whether one can reasonably hope for Muslim Americans who are themselves collectively subjected to surveillance and suspicion to believe in the very institutions spying on them. In "The FBI needs to stop spying on Muslim-Americans," Arjun Sethi stresses that the resources and energy devoted to programs meant to counter violent extremism are disproportionate to the threat posed by Muslim Violent Extremisms. He therefore urges for targeting based on evidence of wrongdoing rather than religious affiliations. Alternatively, instead of spying on and handling Muslim-Americans based on mistrust and suspicion, law enforcement agencies might benefit from working together with the people they unjustly surveillance. This teaches the feeling of belonging as opposed to alienation. This way, they will readily avail information of impending terrorist activities they might be aware of. Also, this will go a long way to demystify the stereotype that all Muslims are terrorists. Ultimately, it is evident that Shared Responsibility Committees program only works to stigmatize Muslim-Americans. Unless this continued alienation trend is arrested, it might be impossible to get help from Muslims in the fight to counter violent extremism. Racial profiling should not be reason enough to allow violation of civil liberties. Cooperation with Muslims to counter-terrorism will bear more fruits rather than handling them with mistrust. References: 1. Aziz, Sahar. 2012. “Racial profiling by law enforcement is poisoning Muslim Americans’ trust.” The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/feb/21/racial- profiling-law-enforcement-muslim-americans accessed on 24/3/2021). 2. Bah, Abu B. “Racial profiling and the war on terror: Changing trends and perspectives.” Ethnic Studies Review 29: 76-100. 3. Sethi, Arjun Singh. 2016. “The FBI needs to stop spying on Muslim-Americans” Politico (https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/03/muslim-american-surveillance-fbi-spying-213773/). 4. Speckhard Anne.2016. “Alarms Raised over Safeguarding Professional Ethics in FBI proposed ‘Shared Responsibility Committees’ addressing potentially radicalized Individuals.” (https://www.icsve.org/alarms-raised-over-safeguarding-professional-ethics-in-fbi-proposed-shared-responsibility-committees-addressing-potentially-radicalized-individuals/) 5. Wilson, Sabrina Alimahomed. 2018. “When the FBI knocks: Racialized state surveillance of Muslims” Critical Sociology 1-26. The Negative Impact of Detention on People's Well-Being
Dania, Undergraduate Student (UM-Dearborn) Immigration detention facilities are utilized to detain immigrants in the United States. It is known to be one of the largest and most popular methods to detain and process the removal of undocumented individuals. Although this process is deemed effective in the sense of protecting the nation, the process of detention and removal witnessed by immigrants, community members, and former employees is rather terrifying and dehumanizing. The detention of immigrants has clearly been shown to have critical negative impacts on the well-being of children, families, and communities. Immigrants incarcerated in detention facilities are exposed to several negative behaviors. For example, they are exposed to sexual harassment and physical abuse. There were 33,000 complaints of this issue from 2010 to 2016, yet, the government acknowledged less than 1% of the cases reported. Furthermore, immigrants suffer from malnutrition because they are not given adequate resources. They also experience medical neglect, they are separated from their families and loved ones, and receive inadequate mental healthcare and poor living conditions. All of these circumstances are leading factors that impact an immigrant’s physical and psychosocial well-being. For instance, as Ackerman et al. note, detained fathers who were living with their children prior to detention “experienced anguish as a result of their separation from their children.” Separation has also caused fathers and mothers to experience emotional and behavioral maladjustment. In addition, research shows that children become depressed and shaken by losing a parent to deportation. There is obviously major mental health risks in adults and children as a result of this brutal process of deportation. Considering the separation of families, many undocumented children are held in children detention facilities with “no adequate food, water, and sanitation,” in which teens and infants are left alone to raise themselves without any adult supervision. They are being held in inhumane conditions with minimal medical/mental healthcare and support from the administration. These horrible living conditions attests to the negative impact of deportation on children’s well-being. Immigration detention facilities have also negatively affected former detention officers. A former officer, Doug Epps, described how he was trained to believe that all immigrants were criminals no matter their ethnicity or criminal record. He was given strict guidelines and forced to treat them differently. He described how the environment he created around himself caused him deep distress and paranoia where he constantly felt discomfort and questioned the morality of his profession. Overall, it is evident that detention is affecting people’s well-being both inside and outside these facilities. It is imperative to address these issues to help reinforce a better strategy to manage the immigration system and reform the training, education, and policies on detention officers. Since many immigrants are undergoing mental and physical distress, people need to be more considerate and understanding when speaking and treating those who are detained. Additionally, employees should be aware of which immigrants have been convicted of crimes and which are simply requesting asylum because this can vary the punishment sentences experienced by the immigrants. They should also have background in criminal justice and immigration because this can help change their outlook about the incarceration of immigrants and how to support them. Lastly, the government should not treat immigrants inhumanely for they should be equally treated and supported if they are to be detained in a place until further notice. Ultimately, there are many ways to combat the issues behind the negative impact immigration detention facilities has on many people. Hopefully, the Biden Administration will initiate ways to mitigate this process to assist those seeking refuge in America and desire to become citizens. References: 1. Ackerman, et al. 2014. “Privatizing Immigration Detention Centers.” Pp. 101-114 in The Criminalization of Immigration: Contexts and Consequences, edited by A. R. Ackerman and R. Furman. NC: Carolina Academic Press. 2. Epps, Doug. 2014. “The Impact of Detaining Immigrants on a Detention Officer: An Autoethnography.” Pp. 271-282 in The Criminalization of Immigration: Contexts and Consequences, edited by A. R. Ackerman and R. Furman. NC: Carolina Academic Press. 3. Greenwald, Robert. 2017. “A Look Inside Our Abusive Immigrant Prisons.” The Nation. Retrieved Mar. 22, 2021. (https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/a-look-inside-our-abusive-immigrant-prisons/). 4. PBS News Hour. 2019. “A Firsthand Report of ‘Inhuman Conditions’ at a Migrant Children’s Detention Facility.” Retrieved Mar. 22, 2021. (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/a-firsthand-report-of-inhumane-conditions-at-a-migrant-childrens-detention-facility). Border in Crisis?
Ibrahim, Graduate Student (UM-Dearborn) I am sure by now most have seen the same image. I cannot turn the TV on without the news showing large masses of people waiting to cross a river from Mexico into the US. I have heard that they are waiting for coyotes to help them across. However, no one is quick to call it a crisis. There are caravans of people trying to cross into the US and despite the images, the politicians still cannot agree as to what is going on. In fact, the only thing they do agree on is that it is the other sides fault. According to Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, “the situation isn’t crisis, but a challenge.” He continues to say, it’s an “acute and stressful challenge with some urgency, but merely a challenge all the same.” People act like it matters what you call it, we can all see that there is a problem and it must be fixed. Call it what you want—there is a crisis at the border. It does not matter which “side” you are on: something must be done to protect the rights of all people involved, regardless of their immigration status. Mr. Mayorkas appears to be unrealistic. Based on recent statistics, roughly 80,000 people have tried to cross the border in January of this year alone. Additionally, we are on pace for more than 117,000 unaccompanied minors to cross into the United States this year, which would set a new record. There have been so many people crossing the border that detention facilities in Texas, near the border, that Democrats wanted closed during the Trump Administration, have recently received approval to re-open. Recently, the number of minors arriving without an adult has increased to nearly 300 per day, which is four times as many as were coming in October of 2019. The 80,000 that tried to cross in January of this year is nearly twice as many people that did in January of last year. In addition, there are currently already 7,700 unaccompanied minors under the care of Health and Human Services. So many that another 14,000 beds are needed to accommodate them. I don’t blame migrants for wanting to come to the US. I don’t blame parents for wanting to send their children to the US for a better life. I blame politicians for using this important issue to get elected, to divide a country and to gain power. This is the concept that the current administration has pushed, as stated in a New York Times article, “thousands of families have surged toward the southwestern border in recent weeks, propelled by expectations of a friendlier reception and by a change in Mexican policy that makes it harder for the United States to expel some of the migrants.” Additionally, based on received information, “at least 1,000 migrants have been allowed to cross into Texas in recent days, border activists said, though the Border Patrol has not released any official estimates. There is a crisis at the border, and it is one that we have known about for a long time. It honestly does not matter what political party is in office, neither has done what is/ was necessary to correct the issue. Additionally, neither will admit fault or responsibility for what is going on. There are some polices that work and some that don’t, we will never make everyone happy, but such is life. The government has a responsibility to its people, its neighbors and those who wish to enter the country. It cannot sit idly by and watch what is unfolding, people are being hurt, possibly killed and even exploited, it is borderline dereliction of duty. Policies must be created that will help expedite the entry process, so as to force people to come in the correct way. Additionally, the borders must be secure. This is our home, this is a place immigrants want to call home and it should be treated as such. Most, if not all of us lock our doors at night. We typically don’t let anyone in our homes without invitation, and we definitely don’t allow them in through a window. They use the front door, so why would our countries borders be any different. Let them in the front door, so that they don’t use the window. A quick, easy entry process can do that. A shorter path to citizenship can do that. It is our home and in time it will be their home and I am sure they want to be safe in their own home too. References: 1. Jordan, Miriam and Max Rivlin-Nadler. 2021. “Migrant Families Force Biden to Confront New Border Crisis.” The New York Times. Retrieved March 7, 2021 (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/06/us/migrants-border-coronavirus-san-diego.html). 2. Killough, Ashley and Ed Lavandera. 2021. “Is There a Border Crisis? It Depends Who You Ask, but It's Clear That More Migrants Are Crossing into the US.” CNN. Retrieved March 7, 2021 (https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/06/us/us-mexico-migrants-lavandera/index.html). 3. Lowry, Rich. 2021. “Opinion: Biden's Unnecessary Border Crisis.” POLITICO. Retrieved March 7, 2021 (https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/03/03/bidens-unnecessary-border-crisis-473412). 4. Miroff, Nick. 2021. “Biden Administration Facing a 'Challenge' at Mexico Border but Not a Crisis, DHS Chief Says.” The Washington Post. Retrieved March 7, 2021 (https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/biden-administration-facing-a-challenge-at-mexico-border-but-not-a-crisis-dhs-chief-says/2021/03/01/d30d1564-7aac-11eb-85cd-9b7fa90c8873_story.html). Healthcare for Immigrants in America
Maya, Undergraduate Student (UM-Dearborn) Immigration status disturbs many aspects of what we consider daily life. However, daily life for an immigrant is vastly different than that of a United States-born citizen. Work, school, health, well-being, peace of mind, and opportunities are all challenged whether you are either a documented or undocumented immigrant. Research indicates that immigrants often neglect their health needs because they fear interactions with social and public agencies may go awry. Healthcare in the United States is an intricate and confusing maze, full of hidden fees and loopholes. Individuals able to afford it can purchase marketplace health insurance. Companies and businesses offer health insurance for their employees. Low-income individuals and families qualify for governmental health insurance. Some immigrants may find this extremely exhausting. Others are simply not able to afford healthcare and most undocumented immigrants qualify for zero healthcare benefits. For immigrants, these repeated obstacles can sometimes act as a complete barrier to accessible healthcare. Indeed, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-supported study examined the factors that influence immigrants’ “vulnerability to inadequate healthcare.” This included socioeconomic background, immigration status, limited English proficiency, federal, state, and local policies on access to publicly funded healthcare (i.e., Medicaid and Medicare for the disabled and elderly), residential location, and stigma and marginalization. All in all, the study determined that immigrants are less likely to have health insurance and obtain medical/dental care, and lastly, they receive lower quality of care than United States born citizens. At the point-of-care at medical facilities, immigrants are more fearful of deportation because they are placing themselves in the headlights of social and public services. As of January 2021, only 16 U.S. states issue driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants. For the others, when asked to present their identity cards to register as new patients, they are faced with yet another obstacle. This stress associated with the fear of deportation can often lead to the avoidance of medical care as a whole. This creates an obvious and enormous threat to the health of a developing child which needs frequent medical visits. Moreover, the rate of uninsured patients is much higher for immigrants, 44% of noncitizen immigrants are uninsured in comparison to 13% of U.S.-born citizens being uninsured. Immigrants are less likely to receive quality healthcare because of the high rates medical facilities charge for out-of-pocket paying patients. If an immigrant does happen to receive healthcare, the language barriers often pose a serious barrier between the healthcare provider and the patient. Many medical facilities do not have translators at the point-of-care and therefore non-English speaking patients are left to struggle with the physician. Throughout the exchange in the patient room, communication is bound to be misunderstood and skewed. Healthcare for immigrants, documented and undocumented, needs major reform. Legislatures should create statutes setting a flat and universal fee for all medical procedures and visits. Depending on the CPT code, a universal, fairly affordable, price will be set on it for all out-of-pocket patients. This way, immigrants do not have to fear going to the doctors without insurance. If a patient is unable to pay in full at point-of-service, then they should stipulate to a payment plan. As for the language barriers, third-party translator companies can be accessible to all physicians to use with their patients via phone or online. This way a patient can easily describe their complaint without potentially putting their health in jeopardy. Healthcare for immigrants is a serious issue in the United States. Each and every individual has the human right to adequate healthcare. Immigrants, for various reasons, are less likely to obtain adequate medical and dental care. The challenges they face in the workplace and the income they bring home all play a role in the outcome of their health. The toxic stress of being deported is something they carry with them everywhere. Statutes mandating flat-fee, translators easily accessible, and immigration reform can all help improve the well-being of immigrants as they deserve. References: 1. Anon. 2019. “Immigration, Health Care and Health.” RWJF. Retrieved April 6, 2021 (https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/research/2017/09/immigration-status-and-health.html). 2. Ku, Leighton Ku Leighton. 2019. “Why Immigrants Lack Adequate Access to Health Care and Health Insurance.” Migrationpolicy.org. Retrieved April 6, 2021 (https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/why-immigrants-lack-adequate-access-health-care-and-health-insurance). 3. Ryan, Wendy E. Parmet Elisabeth. 2018. “New Dangers For Immigrants And The Health Care System: Health Affairs Blog.” Health Affairs. Retrieved April 6, 2021 (https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20180419.892713/full/). Alternatives To Detention
Allison, Undergraduate Student (UM-Dearborn) Custom and Boarder Protection (CBP) agents on the United States southern boarder are not properly trained to respond to crisis which results in an outbreak of violence and many immigrants being detained. When in the United States immigrants are met with the Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) officers who also fail to provide humane and adequate detention centers. These detention centers do not provide immigrants with a fair and just system and are not properly given due process. The United States needs to defund immigration detention centers because they violate human rights, lack access to the outside world, and they have no limitation to the length an immigrant spends in detention. To dive deeper into this problem, let’s look at how detention centers violate human rights. Since 2003, there has been at least 200 deaths that have been accounted for in these detention centers. This can be due to the poor living conditions that immigrants are subjected to, such as over crowed living spaces, not given proper meals, and not living in a sanitary environment. Another problem with detention centers is that once an immigrant is detained and put in a center, they no longer have access to the outside world. Not only does this mean they have no contact with their friends or family, but they also don’t have access to legal counsel. Them not having access to legal counsel goes against proper due process and it takes away any chance for them to fight the detention in court. Another problem with these centers is that there is no limitation as to how long an immigrant could be subjected to staying there. An immigrant could be there for only 6 months or they could be there for more than 4 years, this is inhumane and doesn’t serve the immigrant justice. Most of the problems around these detention centers goes hand in hand with how they violate human rights which shows how the United States does not have a proper and just immigration system. Instead of detention centers we could create community-based alternatives, this would mean having volunteers within the community house these immigrants instead of them being in detention centers, until other legal action is taken on their case. This is more humane to the immigrants and puts them in a safer and more stable environment. This is also a cheaper alternative to detention centers, and it is a way for immigrant families to stay together and not lose each other due to a disorganized system. Another alternative is for the United States to create a more effective immigration system. This is obviously a more complex issue at hand, but for starters some possible reform would be setting a time limit for how long an immigrant can be detained. This also makes it more humane to the immigrant and is also more cost efficient. Another change would be giving the immigrants access to legal counsel, this would allow them to fight the detention in court, but it also doesn’t strip them from any of their rights and allows them proper due process. Lastly, there could be specific programs put into place such as The Family Case Management Program. This program is an individualized case management service for families. The families enrolled in this program do not wear ankle monitors, the cost for each family is significantly lower and the appearance rate in court went up to 97%. Unfortunately, this program was terminated during the Trump administration, but it’s creating programs such as these that could build a more adequate immigration system. By the United States defunding detention centers and switching to alternative solutions, it would make for a more humane and just system to the immigrants, allow them to proper legal access and due process and also put limitations to the length an immigrant spends in detention. References: 1. Anon. 2018. “Our Solution.” Freedom for Immigrants. Retrieved March 19, 2021 (https://www.freedomforimmigrants.org/our-solution). 2. Anon. 2018. “The Problem.” Freedom for Immigrants. Retrieved March 19, 2021 (https://www.freedomforimmigrants.org/the-problem). 3. Anon. 2020. “The Real Alternatives to Detention.” Justice for Immigrants. Retrieved March 19, 2021 (https://justiceforimmigrants.org/what-we-are-working-on/immigrant-detention/real-alternatives-detention/). 4. Anon. n.d. “Immigration Detention & Enforcement.” National Immigrant Justice Center. Retrieved March 19, 2021 (https://immigrantjustice.org/issues/immigration-detention-enforcement). Refugees in the US
Waad, Undergraduate Student (UM-Dearborn) Refugees are people that escape persecution from their home countries by fleeing to the United States, where they expect a better and safer life for themselves and/or their families. In reality, refugees end up finding it difficult to migrate to the U.S. because there are so many obstacles they have to face, until they are able to be secure in this country. Jobs are not easy to find, as many refugees come here undocumented. They cannot get homes to live in because they do not have any papers that allow them to purchase one, or have the money to purchase one. For a refugee to become naturalized, it is a rigorous, extensive, and expensive process, which is sometimes a reason that deters them from attempting to obtain legal status. Our recent government heads have not made it easy for refugees to apply to enter the U.S. and it has greatly impacted the number of refugees entering by causing a decline. There needs to be better access to resources for immigrants upon coming to the United States that would allow for a less complicated process to obtaining citizenship and would allow for refugees to feel safe and stable, which is what they initially came to the United States for. Many Americans find that refugees do not have a place in their country. They are believed to take jobs, cause problems, and live off welfare benefits, when it is actually quite the opposite. As Mathema explains, “Refugees, over time, have high labor force participation rates, improve their English-language skills, and decrease their public benefit use. Research also finds that they represent a net positive to the U.S. economy after living only eight years in the country.” Refugees are a great asset to America, as they diversify the culture, bring innovative ideas to the country, and take jobs that Americans do not want. Considering refugees provide many benefits when migrating to the United States, especially by boosting the economy, it would be expected that the country allows for more refugees to enter. Allowing refugees to enter the U.S. is important because they are a part of what America represents. They are willing to leave their home countries and settle in a completely foreign country to them, in hopes for a better life. A lot of careers that are crucial to everyday life, consist of people that were once immigrants or refugees, that worked hard to get to where they are and are providing their services to the country, such as a doctor. Finding how crucial refugees and immigrants are to the United States, it would be expected that the government would be willing to give them more opportunities to take refuge in the country. The refugee application process is difficult as there are many steps an individual would have to take to apply for it and it does not guarantee that you will be accepted. The application process is not just tedious, but also extensive, with the average process taking 18-24 months to complete. This is a major issue because some people that are seeking to escape persecution don’t have 18-24 months to stay in the countries safely and it is a big reason why many are deterred from applying and rather find a way to enter illegally. America should set up a system that allows for people to apply, do background checks, etc. all within months. This can be achieved by hiring more people to speed the process, but mostly by the government being willing to want refugees enter the U.S. By making the refugee process less extensive and expensive, more refugees would be coming into the country legally and willing to be more active in the country. For example, they would fill jobs that Americans do not want, such as agricultural jobs and they would want to work hard to provide for their families, therefore, boosting the economy. Overall, if more resources are provided to create an easier application process for refugees, America would create for a safer and more stable life for them, while also improving America’s diverse culture and boosting the economy. Refugees that face persecution have no other viable options than fleeing the country where they are facing that persecution. They come to America to seek a better life, which is what the country represents to them: opportunities and freedom like that have never been able to experience. If America sets up a process in which refugees can apply, interview, and be accepted within months, it would result in more effective ways for the country to progress and for refugees to have a safe and stable life for themselves and their families. In order for these changes to happen, Americans need to be more open-minded when it comes to refugees. They need to be educated on what benefits they provide and what the true impact of them in the United States is. References: 1. 10 reasons Why America Needs Refugees. (2020, October 15). Retrieved March 23, 2021, from https://www.lirs.org/why-america-needs-refugees/ 2. Mathema, S. (2018, November 19). Refugees thrive in America. Retrieved March 23, 2021, from https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/reports/2018/11/19/461147/refugees-thrive-america/ 3. An Overview of U.S. Refugee Law and Policy. (2020, November 07). Retrieved March 23, 2021, from https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/overview-us-refugee-law-and-policy Family Separation Under Zero Tolerance
Fatme, Undergraduate Student (UM-Dearborn) Back in 2018, Trump’s administration implemented the “Zero Tolerance policy.” It was implemented in order to charge parents with illegal entry to the United States and lock them up. But parents who are locked up cannot take their children in with them, that lead to children being separated from their parents and sent to shelters across the country. If children were locked up with their parents, officers would take the children away without informing their parents and letting them know where their children went. This occurred when Trump first arrived into office and it was happening quietly, no one knew of this policy. Immigration attorneys began to see agents separating children from their parents and began to question what was going on. ACLU heard about what was going on and filed a lawsuit. After the lawsuit was filed, in 2018 Trump’s administration came out with the Zero Tolerance, making it official that if families come in illegally children will be separated from their parents at the border. Protests and riot broke out all across the country, stories of families being separated and put into cells broke out as well. Protesters marching and wanting the separation and horrible treatment of those in cells to end. President Trump came out six weeks later stating that his administration wants to end the separation of families and what is occurring is wrong. He stated the pictures he had seen are horrifying and inhumane and blamed President Obama for the separation of families. Yet, this type of family separation of children from their parents had never happened up until Trumps administration. It is inhumane to do such a thing to families, children growing up without their parents and sent to shelters is devastating. Imagine how lonely and confused these children feel being apart from their parents without an explanation. Trumps administration should have taken full responsibility and felt ashamed for what they have done. Families must reunite, but it is not going to be easy to do so since children were sent to shelters across the country and the government failed to properly keep track of them. Thankfully, on February 2nd President Biden signed an executive order to launch a task force to reunite families that were separated at the border under Trump’s administration. Biden stated that he is not making new laws, he eliminating bad policy. The task force first will begin by working to identify all the children that were separated from their parents at the border. As they reunite families they will reunify them by granting them parole which could allow non-citizens to enter or remain in the United States. The task force will also offer trauma and mental health resources. As part of this executive order the task force will provide reports and recommendations on steps to prevent family separation policy from happening ever again. Not only will this executive order reunite families, but it will also give those families a better opportunity at a new life. |
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