We help students engage with immigrant and refugee peers, break down stereotypes, and create welcoming spaces for everyone in our schools and communities.
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Important Immigration Justice Terms
While immigrants and refugees are often discussed together, they refer to different experiences. Using the appropriate terms can help us better understand and connect with these populations (all definitions provided by the International Rescue Committee):
- Refugee: A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her home because of war, violence or persecution, often without warning. They are unable to return home unless and until conditions in their native lands are safe for them again. An official entity such as a government or the United Nations Refugee Agency determines whether a person seeking international protection meets the definition of a refugee, based on well-founded fear.
- Asylum seeker: Someone who is also seeking international protection from dangers in his or her home country, but whose claim for refugee status hasn’t been determined legally. Asylum seekers must apply for protection in the country of destination—meaning they must arrive at or cross a border in order to apply. Then, they must be able to prove to authorities there that they meet the criteria to be covered by refugee protections. Not every asylum seeker will be recognized as a refugee.
- Immigrant: Someone who makes a conscious decision to leave his or her home and move to a foreign country with the intention of settling there. Immigrants often go through a lengthy vetting process to immigrate to a new country. Many become lawful permanent residents and eventually citizens. Immigrants research their destinations, explore employment opportunities, and study the language of the country where they plan to live. Most importantly, they are free to return home whenever they choose.
- Migrant: Someone who is moving from place to place (within his or her country or across borders), usually for economic reasons such as seasonal work. Similar to immigrants, they were not forced to leave their native countries because of persecution or violence, but rather are seeking better opportunities.
Note it is never appropriate to ask someone, even close friends, about their citizenship or immigration status. Ensure people know you are a safe person with whom they can share their stories, and allow them to chose to share their history or background with you rather than putting them on the spot.
While there are many different definitions of immigrant or immigration justice, we like these seven principles outlined by AFSC:
- Immigration Justice: humane economic policies to reduce forced migration; protection of labor rights of all workers; a clear path to citizenship for undocumented workers; respect for civil and human rights of immigrants; demilitarization of the U.S.-Mexico border; family reunification a top priority; and ensuring immigrants and refugees have access to services. (AFSC)
Understanding DACA
One program that is frequently in the news relating to immigration is DACA. Here are a few additional definitions to explain the background behind DACA and Dreamers:
- Undocumented: Anyone residing in any given country without legal documentation. It includes people who entered the U.S. without inspection and proper permission from the government, and those who entered with a legal visa that is no longer valid.
- DACA: the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program announced in 2012 by President Obama which shields some undocumented immigrants from deportation.
- Dreamers: Immigrants who were brought to the U.S. by their parents when they were young without legal documentation, and have grown up in American society. They are the people most affected by DACA.
In order for Dreamers to be protected by DACA, you must register with the government, pay taxes and be enrolled in or graduate from school. You also may not commit crimes or your DACA status may be revoked. Dreamers are encouraged to get legal advice for registering and maintaining status with the government. See a guide for DACA renewal from Informed Immigrant here.
On June 18, 2020, the Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to end DACA in a 5-4 ruling that has been cautiously celebrated by immigration justice activists. The ruling maintains the program and allows DACA recipients to renew membership, which offers them work authorization and temporary protection from deportation. The ruling leaves open the possibility that the Administration could still end DACA in the future if they give a proper justification.
For more background on DACA and the Dreamers, read this article by the Anti-Defamation League.
Immigration Justice Leaders Who Inspire Us
Here’s a list of folks who are leading the conversation on immigrant and refugee justice today. They inspire and inform our work. Follow them on social media, or seek out opportunities to hear them speak to dig deeper on these issues.
YCD Workshops Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Youth
YCD has a curated library of over 60 workshop guides on every aspect of inclusion and justice work for middle and high school youth to explore in their own youth-led club or group — with new workshops being published every month. These guides can also be used by educators as part of their in-school curriculum, where interested.
Below is a free sample workshop created by YCD on the topic of immigration justice, available for anyone to use and download.
Immigrants, Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants
In small groups look up definitions of the terms immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants and find examples of these human experiences. As a large group compare the terms to understand the differences in the definitions and how these terms are experienced in society.
Other topics available as downloadable workshop guides or offered at YCD conferences/events include:
A Day in the Life of an Undocumented Student
What is it like to be an undocumented student living today in a divided America? A panel of college students will share stories of their hopes, fears and dreams in an effort to help conference participants understand the dilemma many undocumented students face today. They will also provide suggestions and resources on what we can do to provide a safe space for undocumented immigrants so that they can feel protected and empowered to continue their education or chosen work paths.
Challenging Linguistic Prejudice
What assumptions do you have about language diversity? Participants will be asked to reflect on how linguistic prejudice is still largely accepted in society (demonstrated with several current media examples) whereas other types of discrimination are not. The workshop will end with discussing real world consequences of linguistic prejudice, and how this form of prejudice impacts our lives today.
Human Trafficking of Youth
Youth and young adults hold specific vulnerabilities directly tied to their identity. These vulnerabilities connect to age, adult authority relationships, access to economics, sexual and gender identity, race, color, education, etc. This training will explore the root causes of the crime of human trafficking and the inequalities that can lead to trafficking, to help participants recognize the realities of human trafficking.
Understanding the Refugee Experience
Learn about the process of refugee resettlement into the United States and investigate questions of social, political, and economic integration of refugees.
To experience these workshops, YCD events, and much more, start or join a YCD chapter!
Videos to Explore Immigration Justice
Immigrant Youth Share Their Stories
Hear a conversation between two immigrant youth as they share their immigration stories, and discuss what it was like for them to adjust to life in the United States. This conversation features Angel, who immigrated from Mexico at age 3, and Raima, who immigrated from India at age 10.
Building Community in a Diaspora
Host Lameese Makkawi is joined by Wafa Saeed to discuss what a disapora is, and how to build community on an international and distributed level.
Immigration Reform
In this first episode of the Teens Talk podcast, Board member Elizabeth M. interviews activist Marissa Molina about immigration reform and DACA, and what immigration justice looks like.
Stay up to date for future student-generated videos on this topic and more by subscribing to YCD’s YouTube channel.
Books for Students Sharing Immigrant and Refugee Stories
Here is a list of recommended books for students and teens that provide first-person stories about immigration and being a refugee, or about the fight for immigration justice in the US. You can find free e-books or your local library using OverDrive.com.
Books for Educators and Adults on Immigration and Refugees
And this list is for teachers, educators and adults looking for guidance on supporting immigrant and refugee youth within the classroom or school system.
Movies Addressing Immigration and Refugees
Below are movies that address immigrants, refugees and immigration justice topics in meaningful and compelling ways.
Podcasts on Immigration Justice
Here is a list of recommended podcasts you can download and follow to explore immigration justice work in more detail.
Ideas for Local Action to Advance Immigration Justice
- Learn more about the immigration history of your city, region or state. When and how did white people come to live there? What Native tribes and peoples lived there before white settlers? How does your family fit into the immigration story of your city or state? What groups have immigrated to your city or state in the last 5-10 years, and what were some of the root causes that led to this migration? Learning your local history is a great place to start exploring and understanding more deeply the topic of immigration.
- In order to become a better ally with immigrants, find ways to connect with the local immigrant community so you can support their efforts and build authentic relationships. Check out the list of organizations at the bottom of this page for some ideas, or do some research of your own. Once you’ve identified local immigrant-led groups, find out how they want your help and support. Show up in ways they ask.
- ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has detention facilities in all 50 U.S. states. ‘Facilities’ is a nice word for these places, which really are more like jails. Immigrants are held there and not able to leave, often for long periods of time (averages are 3-9 months), and lack basic access to things like books, schooling, and visitation from family members or advocates from the community. Consider holding a vigil to raise awareness; organize a book drive; or start a detention visitation group to support immigrants detained locally. (These ideas were provided in part by the AFSC).
- Have you ever been the new kid at school? It can be a daunting experience for anyone. Imagine now that not only are you the new kid, but you are also a refugee and living in a new country, and maybe even learning or speaking a language that is not the one you speak at home. Like all of us, refugee youth need friends and allies when they join a new community. Talk with your school administration about how your club can partner with them to form a welcoming and inclusive group of people so that when a new refugee student arrives on your campus, they have an immediate circle of support.
- Ensure that welcoming new immigrant or refugee students to your school or community isn’t just about showing them around and being an ally in their new environment — your club or student group should strive to learn more about the people and culture of those joining your community. This is best done by hearing from students directly about their experiences, and not creating stereotypes based on books, movies, or other sources. Once a new student has had time to find their bearings, invite them to share more about where they come from and their journey to your school and community. This could be at a club meeting, or a special event. Let them lead in designing any event or space, and limit the audience to whatever they are comfortable with. If they are not interested in sharing, honor these feelings and wishes and do not push them. The most important thing is to ensure they know you are interested in hearing their story if and when they are ready to share.
- Achieving immigration justice requires action from the U.S. Congress to create a path toward citizenship for undocumented people. Research the political positions of your area’s representative and your state’s two senators. Consider starting a letter-writing campaign or other steps to push elected officials to take action on immigration. Make your voice as a future voter heard by those in power.
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