Public awareness of the plight of undocumented/illegal immigrant youth experience is lacking. Granted, statistics, data, and life accounts of undocumented/illegal immigrants are vague and elusive for obvious reasons, it is still important for the public to be informed. In addition, it is equally important, if not more so, for the undocumented/illegal youth population to also be aware. They must be informed about their circumstances, its ramifications and other options. Unlike documented/legal immigrants or even undocumented/illegal immigrant adults, resources for the undocumented/illegal immigrant youth are not readily available or openly publicized. The undocumented/illegal immigrant youth face not only the challenge of being young and an immigrant, but they must also face living in the shadows of a group that is already in the dark. There is a need for attention and research that will develop accessible resources, tools, and knowledge fort the undocumented/illegal immigrant youth.
It can be argued that such attempts to provide resources, tools, and knowledge for the undocumented/illegal immigrant youth undermines attempts to curb entry and residence of undocumented/illegal immigrants. However, it is naïve to use ignore-tactics on a population treated and identified as deviant, in hopes that it will deter or diminish their numbers. With the ever increasing numbers of undocumented/illegal immigrant youth who have spent their years of adolescent development in the U.S., action must be taken to inform them and provide them with tools in order for them to take action and be active participants in changing their circumstance. In addition, it is neither becoming nor beneficial to the economic, social, and cultural health of the United States to treat undocumented/illegal immigrant youth with the same legal ramifications as undocumented/illegal immigrant adults. The responsibility of an intent to defy immigration laws cannot be put on the shoulders of undocumented/illegal immigrant youth; their circumstances were not of their own making. But it is not all for nil. There is still time to help shape and shift, celebrate and promote an informed America.
In order to provide programs and resources to support undocumented/illegal immigrant youth, efforts must be made to learn about the varying circumstances and experiences of undocumented/illegal immigrant youth. Initiative toward exploratory and ethnographic studies is a recommended jumping-off point to determine the needs of this hidden population, as well as the factors that informed their circumstance. From there actions can be taken to address not only the overall subject of immigration in the U. S., but also the subject of human civil liberties.
I am an immigrant. I migrated to the U.S. from the Philippines. Although it wasn't always the case, today I am learning to peel the shame I used to feel about being an immigrant. Some cringe at the word "immigrant"; some take and use it as an insult. Many believe that it's an F-word; a word that's a curse, a taboo, something dirty, a word people aren't suppose to use, it's thrown around like a weapon of hate.
The history of the word, from my understanding, is that it was used to place an identifier on a group that was seen as an 'other.' It has been posed to me that perhaps the word "immigrant" should not be used in the first place. But I disagree; eradicating the word isn't a protest of disregard of the power of the ruling class. but rather it's an admittance of their power.
Instead of using "immigrant" as an F-word, I'm suggesting that people remember that language is ours; We determine its meaning and its development, not the other way around. I am an immigrant; I migrated from one place to another. There is nothing wrong with that.
(My particular interest is in the undocumented immigrant experience, particularly undocumented immigrant youth. This blog seeks to journey into learning about the lives of immigrants, documented and undocumented alike, and the politics surrounding the subject.)
The history of the word, from my understanding, is that it was used to place an identifier on a group that was seen as an 'other.' It has been posed to me that perhaps the word "immigrant" should not be used in the first place. But I disagree; eradicating the word isn't a protest of disregard of the power of the ruling class. but rather it's an admittance of their power.
Instead of using "immigrant" as an F-word, I'm suggesting that people remember that language is ours; We determine its meaning and its development, not the other way around. I am an immigrant; I migrated from one place to another. There is nothing wrong with that.
(My particular interest is in the undocumented immigrant experience, particularly undocumented immigrant youth. This blog seeks to journey into learning about the lives of immigrants, documented and undocumented alike, and the politics surrounding the subject.)
"google that!"
Immigrant Rights are Human Rights; If a group of people can be oppressed, who decides who's next?
Inform yourself and others, go to google.com and youtube.com and check out things like:
I.C.E. Detention Center / Hutto Dention Center / DREAM Act
Inform yourself and others, go to google.com and youtube.com and check out things like:
I.C.E. Detention Center / Hutto Dention Center / DREAM Act
Sunday, June 1, 2008
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