Creating a Critical Framework on Immigration Kelly Alvarado, Claudia García Medina, Maile Kaneko & Karla Repman

Preface No human being is illegal. Approach this topic with a social justice framework.

Why Do People Immigrate? Many Reasons Immigrants consist of: Refugees Refugee status students cannot receive FA. Undocumented Legal Entry (some overstay their visas) Globalization NAFTA Mexico: Article 21 of Constitution

Has Immigration Really Increased?

Immigrants Criminals? Border cities are among the nations safest. Border counties have low violent crime rates. There is no evidence of “spillover” of violence from Mexico. High-immigrant cities are safer. US-Mexico Border in Arizona: Violent crimes are down 16%. Violent and property crime rate drop was twice the national average. From: Center for American Progress

Anti-Immigrant Legislation California Prop 187 State-run citizenship screening system. Blocking undocumented immigrants access to public education, health care, and other social services. Allowed police to search (immigrant status and arrest) racial profiling

Proposition 187 included the following key elements: All law enforcement agents who suspect that a person who has been arrested is in violation of immigration laws must investigate the detainee's immigration status, and if they find evidence of illegality they must report it to the attorney general of California, and to the federal Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). If government agents suspect anyone applying for benefits of being illegal immigrants, the agents must report their suspicions in writing to the appropriate enforcement authorities. A person shall not receive any health care services from a publicly-funded health care facility until he or she meets the requirements above. A public elementary or secondary school shall not admit or permit the attendance of any child until he or she meets the requirements above. By 1996, each school district shall verify the legal status of each child enrolled within the district and the legal status of each parent or guardian of each child. A child who is in violation of the requirements above shall not continue to attend the school 90 days from the date of notice to the attorney general and INS.

Arizona SB1070 – Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act Makes it a state misdemeanor crime for an alien to be in Arizona without carrying the required documents. In addition, it allows people to sue local government or agencies if they believe federal or state immigration law is not being enforced. In 2010, record number of immigration laws enacted (222) and resolutions (131) in 48 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Archibold, R. (2010, April 23). Arizona enacts stringent law on immigration. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com2010/04

South Carolina- SB 20 Permanent residents must carry their alien card at all times. If they don’t they face up to 30 days in prison. Violates Hines v. Davidowitz states cannot set their own immigration enforcement laws. Legal challenge was filed in mid-October. Decision to be made on December 19, 2011. Set to be active Jan 1, 2012.

Alabama- House Bill 56 Permanent residents must carry their alien card at all times. If they don’t they face up to 30 days in prison. Violates Hines v. Davidowitz states cannot set their own immigration enforcement laws.

Unconstitutional Violates basic human rights. Allows racial stereotyping. Violates Hines v. Davidowitz Federal government has preeminent authority to regulate immigration matters and to conduct foreign relations.

Synthesis What are your thoughts on complications & implications resulting from immigration legislation? Send texts to 37607 with 116326 at the beginning of the message Example: To 37607 116326 – message….

Implications: Who Immigrants students Students of parents who are immigrants Refugees 1079 students

Implications: Intra and Interpersonal Threat of physical violence Fear of deportation Acculturation Identity Development PTSD Access to Higher Education

2011-2012 Annual Tuition Rates for Undergraduates Institution In state Out of State University of Washington $10,574 $28,058 Washington State $10, 798 $22,076 Seattle University $32,400 Seattle Central CC $5,244 $12,284

Implications: Social/Cultural Working within institutions Racial Profiling Tracking Media Portrayals and Representation Perceptions of “minority” 2010 Undocumented immigrants by country of origin

Implications: Institutional Language, linguicism, and dehumanization Economy Immigrants comprised 14.8% of the state’s workforce in 2008,  undocumented immigrants comprised roughly 3.5% Supporting cycles of oppression Voting block

Now What? Actions Small Group Discussion: Given the history of immigration, the current status and the implications presented, what actions can we take as school counselors/higher education administrators/U.S. citizens?

Report Out What came up in your groups? Surprises? Innovative ideas?

Individual Advocacy 1. Speak up! Sign petitions: For Alabama https://secure.aclu.org/site/SPageServer?s_subsrc=110714_DOJ_immigration&pagename =110714_DOJ_immigration&s_subsrc=sc_bor For Georgia http://www.change.org/petitions/stand-up-for-dignity-and-veto- anti-immigrant-laws-in-georgia 2. Use (or don’t use) your money! Money talks; avoid visiting or spending money at or through states that attempt to legalize laws like SB 1070 in Arizona. http://orig.presente.org/campaigns/shame

Social Cultural Advocacy Social Media: use to speak up and urge others to get informed and use their voice such as starting or joining a facebook group; fb-share a link to a petition or upcoming protest demonstration. (Knowing your own privilege as an ally with citizenship and how much your voice makes legislative change. It takes those in power aligning with those who are discriminated against to create lasting change.) https://www.facebook.com/FightPropaganda https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Rally-to-Restore-Sanity/112041302189640 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qGeYyabPvI

Institutional Advocacy Use your work setting: Many of us will be middle and college age counselors or student administrators and can have a power of influence over the small (or large) ways that our schools decide to address undocumented students.   Example - op ed by father Sundborg regarding dream act http://articles.latimes.com/2010/nov/24/opinion/la-oe-sundborg-dream-20101124 Encourage students to have a voice but be aware for them and yourself of the risks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW3jD-P7JPs Know the requirements at your school for giving out information about students’ citizenship status. Humanize the issue; don’t use terms like ‘illegal aliens’ in your work when discussing and addressing undocumented students and families, as it dehumanizes people and their experiences. Be an ally! 

Final Thoughts Both direct and indirect action can and should be taken on this issue. It effects students in the immediate and can effect them in the future as well. Know the amount of power, as well as privilege, you have as a school or college counselor or administrator. Advocacy can come in the form of ally-ship, speaking for those whose voices are silenced, and using the money and power you have as a U.S. citizen and school personnel. You must get informed to be of the most service to those in your school and community, though this service may be risky as this issue is a hot-topic and is laced with patriotism and nationalism, especially in regards to k-12 and higher education.

Question?

References: Archibold, R. (2010, April 23). Arizona enacts stringent law on immigration. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com2010/04 Center for American Progress (June 14, 2010) Fact Sheet: Setting the record straight on border crime. Retrieved from http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/06/border_crime.html Immigration Impact (2011). http://immigrationimpact.com/ Immigration Policy Center. (2010). New Americans in the Evergreen state: The political and economic power of immigrants, Latinos, and Asians in Washington. Washington, D.C.: American Immigration Council. Pew Hispanic Center. (2011). Unauthorized immigrant population: National and state trends, 2010 . Washington, D.C.: Pew Research Center. State policies help ‘1079 Students’ aim for college, universities. (2004). Issaquah: Latino/a Educational Achievement Project.