F19 Civic Engagement and Immigration

Jafar Hatamleh

John Snodgrass

• Keeping informed about global trends and happenings would allow us to make more educated and clear decisions when making immigration policy

• We need to consider the point of view of the immigrants. Why are they coming to the United States?

A Brief History of Immigration in the U.S.

• Secure borders are important so that we understand who is coming into our Country.

Current Situation:

• Cycles of nativism and immigration;
• Waves of immigration respond to social and economic factors inside and outside the U.S.;
• Immigration restrictions enacted for similar factors.

• 11.4 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. in 2012 (down from 12 million in 2007);
• Policy of concentrated border enforcement;
• Annual budget increased from $363M to > $3.5B;

• People can't cross border to visit family;
• Families bring small children not to be separated;
• Some families are sending their children North, to escape violence;
• Unrest in Middle East currently serves as a "push" to escape violence and famine.

• We need to streamline the immigration process

Collaborators:

https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/fjs1314.pdf

**Visas being processed currently**

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html

https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/criminalization-immigration-united-states#.WNai-4svvFc

http://www.businessinsider.com/more-mexican-immigrants-are-leaving-the-us-than-entering-it-2015-11

History of Recent Immigration Law in the U.S.

• 1986 Immigration Reform & Control Act;
• 2012 DACA--Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals;
• 2017 Executive Order Protecting The Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States;
• 2017 Executive Memorandum: Implementing Immediate Heightened Screening and Vetting of Applications for Visas and Other Immigration Benefits;
• 2017 Executive Order: Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements

• 1 question: In terms of fairness and equal opportunity to civically engage, recently naturalized American citizens, from other countries that are not fluent in English, may find themselves marginalized by their language limitations/voice in their community, which is exceptionally unfortunate given the possible contributions immigrants can make to science, art, and communal safety; what are some ways we, as a community, can bring voice to those marginalized by immigration?

• 2 question: according to “Collaboration,” an assigned reading from week eight, “[c]ollaborating with diverse thinkers to work together toward a greater understanding of the dynamics of race, gender, and class is essential for those of us who want to move beyond on dimensional thinking, being, and living” (Hooks 37); how can UHCL promote this form of collaboration?

• 3 question: Immigration is the process of leaving one’s permanent residence in a different country to permanently live in a foreign country; however, in my government based research, immigrating to, or even visiting, America is like going to the DMV; it is never quick and painless. In short, to become an American citizen, with full eligibility, the process is: visa, green-card, and then naturalization; however, depending on their financial status, English literacy, and age, each stage is often time consuming and financially demanding; could the current American naturalization process motivate illegal immigration?

Questions Slide:

• How can we think about immigration in a way that considers global implications?
• How could we think about immigration in a way that considers the national consequences on both sides of the border?
• How can we think about immigration in a way that considers local consequences of citizens and immigrant families?

• We need to respect other countries and their customs and cultures
• We must pay attention to situations that could become dangerous (ex. terrorism)

• We are a country created by immigrants
• Every citizen of the globe deserves a voice and a way to avoid marginality
• We cannot undo the ability to travel internationally
• Sensitive immigration policies would help deal with local and national consequences (and deal with nationalism)

We are better together...

Student A

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We need to consider immigrants point of view and why they are leaving their country. Many people who immigrate are fleeing dangerous situations and are searching for new opportunities for their family.

It is common for them to not have a political voice due to marginality. We need to consider ways to improve this. The Assumption that immigrants are criminals is widely believed, but native born people are actually more likely to commit crimes.

Creating an easier and more efficient way for people to immigrate legally would significantly decrease arrests and the separation of families.

A way to stop families from being forced to leave their home is to help improve their countries. Many undocumented immigrants come from very poor and crime ridden countries and educating citizens about what is happening in these counties may change the preconceived assumptions about immigrants and help us better understand why people immigrate. (ex. El Salvador)

Madilyn Grubbs

Civic Engagement and Immigration