IMMIGRATION - Part 1 of 4
By Rebecca Fox
Graduate student in Human Rights & Migration Studies
"People have the fundamental right to migrate and the right to apply for asylum, refugee, or other protected status, even if they entered a country illegally (UN 1951 Refugee Convention, arts. 31-34). These principles and standards are nearly universal, but the US has not signed onto and/or ratified most of these documents, conventions, and principles."
Migration has great economic benefits for both countries of origin and of destination, as well as immeasurable social and cultural value. Diversity in identities, backgrounds, experiences, and culture is what I love about America. The US remains a country of immigrants, with over 48 million immigrants currently residing in the country; however, the elections of Trump and his followers and the infectious spread of MAGA rhetoric in our media and conversations give the impression that the majority of American voters are staunchly anti-immigrant and fearful of ethnic and national diversity.
I moved to Thessaloniki, Greece almost a year ago to pursue my MA in Human Rights & Migration Studies at ΠαΜακ, or the University of Macedonia. In my postgraduate studies, we have looked at migration from anthropological, economic, legal, and other perspectives, and come upon the same evidence-based conclusions each time– migration is exorbitantly more beneficial in virtually every area, aspect, and context than it is negative, harmful, costly, or dangerous. In classes, we have analyzed and discussed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at length, as well as other international legal documents, frameworks, and principles foundational to human rights, refugee rights, and migration studies, like the Geneva Conventions and EU Asylum Protocols.
It is a basic understanding of human rights law that people have the right to move freely and the right to apply for asylum (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, arts. 13-14). Specifically, people have the fundamental right to migrate and the right to apply for asylum, refugee, or other protected status, even if they entered a country illegally (UN 1951 Refugee Convention, arts. 31-34). These principles and standards are nearly universal, but the US has not signed onto and/or ratified most of these documents, conventions, and principles. This allows the US government to not uphold these values, not respect these human rights, and not be held legally accountable outside of its own legal and judicial systems for violating the rights of migrants and refugees that are otherwise internationally recognized and respected.
What has stoked fears of immigration and misinformation about immigrant and refugee populations in the US is the perfect storm of economic stress, climate crises, and xenophobia rooted in widespread societal fear, isolationism, racism and white supremacy, and American exceptionalism. Anti-immigrant views are supported with misleading statistics, offensive stereotypes and generalizations, and straight-up false narratives. We can’t know how many acts of discrimination and prejudice are experienced every day by immigrants in the US, but we do hear about more violent and blatant instances of harm as the leadership and rhetoric in America continues to degrade, stereotype, and dehumanize immigrants and refugees.
My own migration experiences have further cemented my personal belief that no one should ever be prosecuted, judged, discriminated against, or otherwise negatively treated for migrating “illegally.” I had the enormous privileges of time, money, American citizenship, and support to migrate here, apply for and receive my visa, and apply for and receive my residence permit. This process, which took months, was streamlined due to my identity, status, and specific situation, and definitely quick and simple in comparison to the American systems, where migrating the “legal” way is a process that can go on for decades.
Migration is not a decision taken lightly– if someone tries this hard to be somewhere, and is willing to contribute to their new society how they can; if someone had to make the decision to leave their family, friends, homes, and all sense of normalcy to be somewhere; then they are due the same respect, dignity, and rights that we claim to guarantee our citizens.
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To delve into immigration, current issues, and its political charge in the US, I have broken down some of my thoughts, experiences, studies, and knowledge into a 4 part series of brief essays. After this introductory first piece, I will explore the intersection of: Immigration & Education; Immigration & Economic Inequality; and Immigration & the Climate Crisis. I do not claim to be an expert, but I have an immense passion for immigrants’ rights and immigrant justice, I have the personal experience of working with migrants and refugees, and I am fortunate enough to have access to information and knowledge about migration studies along with a platform to share it. I have made an effort to link all my sources and other references throughout my pieces, but please feel free to contact me via email [email protected] with any questions or requests for information or resources. ~ RF