Conversation Blog: Migration of Peoples (Feb 2011)

[IPJC Office]

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[IPJC Office]

From the Bellingham, WA Justice Cafe:

 

"We had a pretty good turnout this month! Our conversations covered a variety of issues linked with the migration of peoples. We believe that all people have the right to live where they want to in order to better their families or their own lives."

Read the full report here

[Clara Bernard]

 “Migration of Peoples” was an exciting topic for students. All the participants brainstormed answers to the question: “What are the causes of migration?” Education, war, search of a better life, respect of human rights, work…everyone was able to come up with at least one reason why people would move to another place.

Participants shared stories about friends and family members who have moved for political and economic reasons from one place to another. In our small groups, many of the students told their parents’ migration stories. One student recalled how her parents could not find jobs in Mexico and had to come to the United States to survive and to be able to support their family. Another shared that his parents came from Peru for the same reason. One participant confessed that she had never asked her parents why they had come to the United States and she started to get more curious about her background after attending the Justice Cafe.  

            Later, we discussed the challenges related to migration, such as being accepted and integrating into the new community. Also, students observed that most local people fear that the migrant will take resources from the local person. Café participants wanted to inform themselves and learn more about migration and are willing to spread the word about the different reasons why people would move.

 

[Maddie Braman]

After reviewing many of the myths about immigration, it is shocking to think that so many people hold misconceptions about immigrants and the immigrant population. One myth held by many is that immigrants do not help our economy. If immigrants, in reality, boost our economy, then why is the process of immigration into the United States becoming more and more difficult? Why is there continued debate over new immigration laws and such grueling punishment for people without papers when the necessary papers are so difficult to obtain? However complicated the issue of immigration may be, there must be a way to make this process easier.

[Tess Kuester]

At one time we were all immigrants to this country, which welcomed us with open arms. Yet now we are not willing to do the same for those who need it for their survival. Not only that, but if the migrant workers left, who would do the jobs they do? Is it really right to say that they are taking jobs away from legal citizens, because if we really wanted the jobs they do we could easily get them. The fact is that the citizens in this country do not want migrants here, yet we could not live the life we do without them.

[Theresa Edwards]

It is unjust for people to discriminate against these immigrants who are just looking for a better life, or in the case of many, simply to survive. These immigrants work in the fields, stores, factories, and other grueling jobs that it is easy for many of us to forget about, but the truth is that if they left, it would be hard to find many people willing to replace them. It's not fair to say that they are taking away our jobs, because Americans born here have an equal opportunity to get them too. In addition to the economy and job-based misconceptions about immigrants, the root of this problem has to do with tolerance. Americans need to stop thinking in terms of "us" versus "them". Immigrants are people too, regardless of how they got here. Many people are privileged to have been born in this country, but thousands are not so lucky and have bravely journeyed to the "land of opportunity" with hopes and dreams for a better life. Just like the hundreds of people who voyaged to this unknown land centuries ago with dreams of freedom and opportunity, the immigrants of today are human too. America prides itself in being a nation with "freedom and justice for all", yet these ideals are not reflected in the attitude of many people toward today's immigrants. We can work toward a brighter future for these newcomers to our country by first recognizing that immigrants are people too, and deserve a chance.

[IPJC Office]

From the New Jersey Justice Cafe:

 

"The New Jersey Justice Cafe group met last night, Feb 28th. Although we were a small group, we had a fantastic conversation. We began our conversation with our own familial migration stories. We realized how important the Church was to Catholic immigrants, and how often this is still the case."

 

Read their full update here