Immigration is a hot topic now. Not only is it important to
understand the various policies, knowing someone’s story is a window into the
myths being perpetrated. As someone with a JD, I know the relevant terminology.
Also, through teaching a class to prepare green card holders to pass their US citizenship
test, I understand their struggles.
Knowing the significant terms of the immigration debate, I
can increase other people’s understanding. Immigration is not solely about illegal
immigrants crossing our Southern border. The first thing to understand is that
many are crossing our borders legally. For example, some are asylum seekers.
They can claim asylum status at a border checkpoint or even when they are in
the country illegally. This is in accordance with US and UN law. Once here, asylum
seekers have due process and equal protection rights under our Constitution.
They are entitled to an asylum hearing. Generally, political refugees — those
facing persecution in their home countries — are allowed to stay. Economic
refugees — those in this country simply to earn more money — are generally deported.
One problem is how long the hearing process takes. Alternatives
to detention (ATDs), such as ankle bracelets, were common during the Obama administration.
This ensured that asylum seekers showed up for their hearing dates and were
over 90% effective. By prosecuting them for the offense of entering illegally and
immediately detaining them, the Trump administration has caused the crisis at
the border. Families are separated because children cannot be detained as long
as adults and facilities are overcrowded.
The immigrants I teach have been pre-cleared in their home
country before coming here. They are considered refugees, not asylum seekers, and
can obtain a green card. Still, there is more to their immigration stories. Often
coming from war torn nations in Africa, Asia, and the Middle-East, they may be
in refugee camps for years before being allowed to come here. The camps
themselves can come under fire.
It is a myth that Muslim immigrants are terrorists. Most
come as a family unit. They are assimilated once here.
Another myth is they overuse social services. While they can
receive money to come here, their ability to receive government resources is
restricted over time.
Imagine coming here from Somalia only speaking Swahili.
Imagine having to learn a new alphabet after knowing only Arabic, which has
different characters from English and is read right to left. Imagine seeing a
supermarket for the first time and having to learn how to shop.
I am fortunate to teach an immigrant community here in
Buffalo where I’ve learned their struggles. I’ve also created a website, www.JanesPlace.org, where you can learn
more about stigma, not only against refugees, but among religious and cultural
groups and due to disability.
Helaine Sanders holds an MSW and JD. She is the co-chair of
the Town of Amherst Disability Committee and Secretary of its Community
Diversity Commission. She has volunteered in the Williamsvile School District
on matters relating to curriculum and special education.