Migrants at the Border

at the

A BORDER JOURNEY It’s so hot, I really want some water, my feet hurt.

That’s what Julio Flores recalled thinking as a young child crossing the border.

Julio is a young Mexican man who crossed the United States/Mexican border at eight years old along with his father and one of his older sisters. Like many other Hispanics, they were crossing in the hopes of finding a better life in the U.S. They made the hard decision to leave behind their family, friends, and way of life to start from scratch in a foreign country.

To get to the U.S., Julio and his family had to cross the desert between Mexico and the U.S. border. It is a dangerous journey you are not guaranteed to make safely. Julio’s father paid a coyote (a smuggler) a hefty sum to help them cross, which is what many Hispanics resort to doing. They went to the city of Nogales, from their home of San Jose, Jalisco. They packed light, only carrying two pairs of clothes. Once there, they were told to wait at a hotel with others wanting to make the journey. When everyone was ready, they made their way to the desert outside the city and began to head in the direction of the U.S. They mostly traveled at night in order to avoid being seen. Julio recalls seeing water bottles, clothes, and trash left behind by those who had made the journey previously. Everyone kept an eye out for dangerous wildlife and prickly plants.

Whenever we were going to sleep, we slept on the ground, and they told us to clear the area of rocks and stuff to make sure there were no scorpions and snakes. Not everyone was allowed to sleep at the same time. Some people had to stay on guard because there could be coyotes. I remember hearing their howls throughout the night.

At the end of their journey they arrived at a spot where they were picked up by a van that was going to drive them across into the U.S. Since Julio was so small, they told him to hop into a tool box in the back of the van, which had a secret compartment big enough to hide a child. When opened normally, you could not see that Julio was inside. Everyone else rode in the back and were told to lay low. They were able to make it inside the U.S. using a back road, but the van was spotted by a border patrol vehicle, which began to follow them. The driver pulled over in a panic and everyone took off running. The border patrol agents followed in pursuit. Julio was left alone in the van and forced to wait until someone came back. Eventually some of the migrants, including his family and the driver, snuck their way back into the van and they left immediately.

1

Sadly, some people got detained, it was everyone for themselves at that moment.

Unfortunately, not everyone can make it.

After a few more hours of driving they arrived in Arizona. After paying off the coyote, they spent another week in Arizona and then left for North Carolina where they had family waiting. The trip lasted approximately 2 weeks. Julio’s other siblings and mom made separate trips throughout the year, all eventually making it to North Carolina.

Julio was thrust into school almost immediately that same week of his arrival. He recalls not being able to understand what was going on most of the time, but he was able to learn English after a few years and did well in school. After he graduated high school, he began working and eventually made the decision to get his full citizenship in 2013. Since he had acquired a green card as a kid, he was fortunate and had an easier process than many others.

I did it all online… I did research on my own and got all my documents together fast. It took me only a month and by August of 2013 I said an oath and they gave me a certificate.

The process is rarely this fast. Many other migrants are not as fortunate and are forced to endure a long legal process which can take years and years. In fact, Julio’s oldest sister is still working on getting her citizenship. For her, this journey has taken more than 20 years.

2

RUNDOWN OF IMMIGRATION IN THE UNITED STATES The United States has more immigrants than any other country in the world, yet the policies in place make it difficult for so many people to acheive legal residency. Let’s learn the facts.

1/7

U.s. residents is a migrant

12%

unauthorized immigration The migration of people into a country without following immigration laws and maintaining residency without the legal right to.

Resident Status Temporary lawful residents 5%

of the U.S. population are native born Residents with an immigrant parent

Lawful permanent residents 27%

Unauthorized immigrants 23%

Naturalized citizens 45%

1/4 of the foreign-born population is unauthorized immigrants

THE ROAD TO CITIZENSHIP 3

Determine if you are elligible to become a citizen.

Mail in your Form N-400 and pay fees.

Attend your biometrics appointment, if applicable.

Complete interview

e an w.

birthplaces

1/4

Mexico Central America South America

Of the U.S. Immigrant population is in california

COVID-19

has made immigration more difficult on many fronts. Due to the pandemic, all in-person immigration processing and biometric services were temporarily suspended. This resulted in the naturalization process being postponed for countless people trying to gain their citizenship.

The majority of immigrants in the United States were born in the Americas and Asia, with over 11 million from Mexico alone.

4,076,100

Immigrant population by state

Receive a decision from USCIS on your Form N-400.

Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

0

It’s important to remember that becoming an American citizen is a different experience for everyone.

The process can be quick and easy for some, while it can take decades for others.

4

THE HISTORY

The United States has long been considered a nation of immigrants.

Attitudes toward new immigrants by those who came before have vacillated between welcoming and exclusionary over the years.

PERSONS OBTAINING LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS

Waves and Troughs

10,000

Immigration to the U.S. over the last century has come in waves and troughs. The 1900s saw significant arrivals as part of the so-called “third-wave.” Industrialization brought millions of Europeans to the United States, who found work in the factories of northeastern and midwestern cities.

8,000 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

6,000 4,000 2,000

1900

1920

1940

2000

19 0 19 0s 1 19 0s 2 19 0s 3 19 0s 4 19 0s 5 19 0s 6 19 0s 7 19 0s 8 19 0s 9 20 0s 00 s

IMMIGRATION PHASE

The Immigration Act of 1965 saw the start of the “fourth wave” of immigration. This change to immigration policy saw overall numbers increase, but also a shift in origin. Many more Latin Americans and Asians began to move to the United States.

Conflict in southeast Asia, as well as the Cold War, were major driving factors.

Millions also arrived from Mexico, peaking at more than 2.7 million in the 1990s. The economic opportunities afforded by a booming US economy were a draw for migrants from south of the border, and around the world.

FRONTIER EXPANSION

INDUSTRIALIZATION

POST-1965 IMMIGRATION

IMMIGRATION PAUSE

MAJOR SENDING REGIONS: NORTHERN AND WESTERN EUROPE

1,800

SOUTHERN AND EASTERN EUROPE

ASIA AND LATIN AMERICA

WESTERN EUROPE

1,600 1,400

IRCA LEGISLATION

1,200 1,000 800 600 400

NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS (THOUSANDS)

200 0 1820

1840

1860

1880

1900

1920

1940

policy milestones

5

1980

0

A Change of Origin

1790

1960

1910 1880

1790 The Naturalization Act

1882 Chinese Exclusion Act

Any free white person of “good character,” who stays in the United States for over two years can apply for citizenship.

The act banned all Chinese from coming to the U.S for 61 years.

1920

1960

1980

2000

1948 Displace

The law allo thousands o Europeans t

1930

1940

1950

1924 Immigration Act

1942 Bracero Program

Introduced a quota system to limit the immigrants, yet Western and Northern European nations were favored.

It brought > 400,000 Mexican workers to the U.S. during pe years in the late 1950s. It end in 1964 amid opposition from labor unions.

The Great Barrier

The Executive Order 13780 banned immigration from 6 majority Muslim countries (Chad, Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia) as well as North Korea and Venezuela which marked a new wave of immigrant deportation.

Donald Trump (2017-2021)

DEPORTATION 3,066,457

A False Protection

2,012,539

The DACA program sought to fix the issue of the rising deportation, but failed to mitigate the figures as the deportation during the Obama era was greater than that of Bush and Trump.

551,449 BUSH 2001-2009

192,499 NSLS ISSUED 2003-2006

Barack Obama (2009-2017)

George W. Bush (2001-2009)

which expedited the process for authorities to detain and even deport suspected immigrants.

1970

+64%

PATRIOT Act

Bill Clinton (1993-2001) IMMIGRANTS DEPORTATION (Source: DHS)

1980

1990

2000

2010

1996 IIRIRA

1970 1980

1965 Immigration and Nationality Act It abolished the quota system (Immigration Act, 1924), and moved the act towards a system based on family unity and worker skills.

1990

2000

2001 PATRIOT Act

An anti-terrorism law coined in response to the 911 terrorist attack.

2019

2012 DACA

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) signed by president Bill Clinton to stop undocumented immigration.

owed hundreds of of displaced to resettle in the U.S.

359,885

IIRIRA

dEPORTATION 1996-1997

ed Persons Act

n eak ded m

DACA

TRUMP 2017-2021

With the PATRIOT Act, FBI agents could file national security letters (NSLS) without further permission to get private info from the public,

The IIRIARA introduced the 3-year and 10-year bars that spearheaded the skyrocketed surge of immigrant deportation in the U.S.

1960

Obama 2009-2017

The Catalyst

The Turning Point

1965

Executive Order 13780

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) temporarily shields some Dreamers from deportation.

2010

2020

2017 Executive Order 13780 President Donald Trump issues 2 executive orders to ban potential terrorist from immigrating to the U.S.

6

Crossing the Border Many immigrants embark on the very difficult journey of crossing the border in order to flee from the violence and poverty in their own home countries. In America, the immigrants hope to experience safety, happiness, and ultimately freedom. However, this freedom comes with a cost. Immigrants who cross the border face many risks and some of the harshest conditions imaginable.

Why People Cross High Crime Rate Violence is a key driver for forced migration from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Children, youth, and women suffer the most from the impact of violence.

Women in Danger Violence is a key driver for forced migration from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Children, youth, and women suffer the most from the impact of violence.

Better Education Criminal gangs have managed to infiltrate the core of educational establishments. Direct threats from criminal gangs have led to the closure of schools or cancellation of classes. As a result of the violence, children must transfer schools or abandon their education altogether.

Poverty

Poverty in Central America is pervasive: half the population lives below the poverty line. In rural areas, the figure rises to two-thirds. Income from traditional exports, agriculture and textiles is in the control of a few of the most powerful and richest.

7

43% Children under 15 years old are subject to corporal punishment at home.

63% Children under 15 years old experience violent discipline at home (psychological or physical)

75% Rural people struggle to meet basic food needs.

Getting To the Border Gang Violence

Six in ten migrant women and girls are raped on the journey

While crossing the border there are certain conditions that immigrants face on their journey. Some of the experience that was very common along some of the journey was immigrants facing assaults, robbery, and abduction by criminal gangs.

1

4

A VERY LONG JOURNEY

3

Immigrants who travel across the border often walk thousands and thousands of miles. The long trek to the border takes dedication and preparation. Nevertheless, millions of South America immigrants have been migrating to the U.S. in recent years.

In 2017, a total of 16,629,900 immigrants traveled to the United States from America.

The top 5 countries of origin of those immigrants were Mexico (11,269,900), Colombia (3,213,000), Peru (459,000), Ecuador (454,000), Brazil (451,000).

Coyotes A coyote is someone who specializes in human smuggling, bringing people across the United States border from Mexico. Coyotes are not affiliated with drug cartels or gangs.

2

5

Top 5 Countries of South American Immigrants in 2017

$3,000-$4,000 Coyote Fees Per person

8

children and SEPARATED FA

­ ­

5,512

ZERO TOLERANCE

­

children separated

270

childr yet to

­

­ ­

­ ­

ACLU’s effort to reunite families

­ ­

­ 9

­ ­

­ ­

­

­ ­ ­ ­

unacco

40%

AMILIES

DNA testing

& ethical dilemmas

consent issues

ren be “resolved”

potential for loose “family” misuse definitions

We can’t separate. This is the whole point, to save his life and to be together as a family.

MORE THAN 80%

40% of those

mpanied minor home countries

% from Guatemala

40% from Honduras

11% from 16% Mexico* El Salvador 6% from elsewhere

10

Detainment

The process of detainment is lengthy, complicated, and obscure. Very few have access to the resources necessary to navigate this traumatic experience.

Being Detained

Leaving detention

Upon arrival, detainees’ personal belongings and clothes are taken, then they are given a jumpsuit uniform and number.

A person may be detained for a variety of reasons, such as: Arriving at the border without a visa prior to formally applying for asylum or refugee status Being apprehended by ICE within country without a visa Having an outstanding removal order on record Missing prior immigration hearing dates

Working with an immigration lawyer, the migrant and their family can determine if they are eligible for bond. Bond allows a migrant to leave the facility leading up to their final hearing.

At the bond hearing, the detainee will either be subject to mandatory detention or the bond amount will be set.

$1,500

Minimum

$14,500 Average

1

Exceeding $20,000 with No upper limit

4

Bond amounts are decided at a hearing and if no one outside detainment can match it, the migrant must stay detained unt their final hearing where their residence status is decided.

2

3

Upon detention After being detained, individuals will often be brought to CBP facilities to be transferred to ICE facilities, straight to ICE facilities, or deported depending on what agency detained them. ICE officers may talk to detainees but may be attempting to coax them to surrender information that would hurt their case or sign documents to waive certain rights. The first priority is finding an experienced immigration attorney.

Although the agencies and facilities may vary, the locations are most often remote and difficult for loved ones or legal representatives to reach.

Where are people held?

The National Detention Standards govern the standards for ICE detention, however these standards are not binding as they are not law. Advocates frequently cite cost as their reason for non-compliance, but that non-compliance can have ramifications on real people.

28%

19%

9%

Dedicated IGSAs: Local governments own these facilities which only house individuals in ICE custody.

Contract Detention Facilities: Private prison companies own and operate these facilities.

Service Processing Centers (SCPs): ICE owns these facilities but generally contr staff operate them.

25%

19%

Non-Dedicated IGSAs: Local governments own these facilities which house some individuals who are in ICE and others who are in USMS custody.

Intergovernmental Agreement (IGAs): City or county jails with some bed space reserved for individuals in ICE custody.

Over $650 Million 11

In Detention

Made by private industries fulfilling ICE facility related service contracts in 2017

til

ract

Mental Health Impacts

Lack of Hygiene Materials

Studies have shown that detained migrants have higher levels of anxiety, depression, and PTSD than migrants who were not detained. Children’s mental health is particularly impacted by detainment, as chronic stress negatively impacts brain development.

Detainment centers do not provide sufficient hygiene materials. In a center in Texas, children were sick and had no soap to wash their hands. There is rarely access to showers, clean clothes, and often not enough beds.

Lack of Healthcare Repeated investigations into detainee deaths show that many are the result of poor medical care in detainment facilities. This lack of care also applies to pregnant women.

ICE reported that at least 28 women had miscarriages in 2018-19 while in detainment.

IMPACT Detainment centers have devastating effects on migrants. These facilities pose many dangers, ranging from medical neglect to inadequate meals.

Death

Nutrition

Abuse Detainees encounter verbal abuse, such as being called “stinky pigs” and “dogs” by officers. Medical abuse is also seen in detainment facilities. In an ICE facility in Georgia, hysterectomies were performed on migrant women without consent.

Lack of food and clean water is the most common reported abuse in detainment centers. A study found that 88% of migrants were provided insufficient food and 23% were denied food when inside detainment centers. Migrants taken in at the border are denied food and water after being in desert environments.

Mental illness and health conditions combined with medical neglect have led to high death rates within detainment facilities. Often migrants are denied proper healthcare and emergency response. Suicides are also present, particularly related to solitary confinement.

CORONAVIRUS A study evaluated children held at a US immigration detention center over two months and found that:

44% 32% 17%

showed at least one emotional or behavioral concern. exhibited emotional problems.

217 detaineE DEATHS since 2004

showed symptoms of PTSD.

In 2021, detainment centers saw large spikes in COVID-19 cases. ICE has not prioritized protecting detainees. People with COVID-19 are often in the same space as healthy individuals, with little to no mask wearing and social distancing.

Additionally, the process of transferring migrants from one facility to another poses a huge risk for COVID-19 spread, as detainees are often not provided with masks and forced to sit side by side in vehicles.

Imagine that you have committed no crime, but after you escape terrible abuses in your country and arrive in the land of the free, you are treated like a criminal, denied access to an adult or an attorney who can help you and forced to appear before a judge to argue your case by yourself, in a language you do not understand, - William Schultz, executive director of Amnesty International USA.

12

What’s happening in Nort Immigrants play a large role in North Carolina’s population. As citizens of the state, immigrants are an essential part of North Carolina’s diverse community. Despite their important contribution to local communities and the economy, there are limited resources available for them.

Local Experts Opinions Sara Katsanis

Erin Siegal McIntyre

Principal Investigator for the Northwestern Genetics and Justice Laboratory Utilizes genome information to identify missing migrants

Investigative Journalist and Assistant Professor Received the SPJ James Madison Award for her investigative novel Finding Fernando

They can’t fight it. They’re deported, and there’s no recourse for ever returningthey’re banned for life.

IF he [wildin Acosta] had resources in durham when he turned 18, he might have been able to remain. had he not had that kind of advocacy, he would have just been deported like most other people in that situation.

Local Incidents Wildin Acosta was a senior at Riverside High

School in Durham, NC when he was ambushed by ICE agents while waiting for the school bus. Wildin came to America in 2014 as an unaccompanied child and was supposed to appear in court in 2015. He missed the court date due to poor legal advice and a deportation order was filed. Wildin spent the next 3 years in multiple detainment facilities while trying to fight his deportation order in court.

He was forced to complete his senior year of high school in a Georgia detainment facility.

Data & Statistics Expenses

Administrative 5%

Fundraising 4%

5,000 35%

Refugee neighbors contacted of resettled clients reunited with loved ones already in NC

Immigrant Solidarity Refund

91%

132

Immigration Legal Services 0

13

was living in a sanctuary in a Durham church for a year when he was taken into custody by ICE agents in 2018. He was intercepted by the agents on the way to an immigration office. Bruno was in the process of attaining citizenship before he was arrested.

Within a week, he was deported back to Mexico and separated from his community and family. ICE officials rarely arrest undocumented immigrants while they are on church property. The incident not only tore a family apart but terrified the remaining immigrants residing in the church.

Number of Refugees and immigrants served by the program Refugee neighbors contacted for COVID-19 vaccine Employment Resettlement

Program

Samuel Oliver Bruno

200

400

600

Refugees secured jobs through employment programming

One in ten workers in the North Ca

More than one-third of all immigrants are naturalized US citizens

th Carolina Resources & Organizations

How to Help Volunteer

Church World Services (CWS) Durham

Start with a simple web search and see what organizations are near you and what they need help with.

CWS Durham is a faith-based organization that aids immigrant communities around Durham, NC, through just and sustainable responses to issues including hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. One of the current focuses includes welcoming refugees and Afghan arrivals.

The U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants (USCRI) NC

Donate

USCRI North Carolina has been welcoming immigrants to the Triangle area since 2007. Through the program, immigrants and refugees are able to access a variety of direct services to support them in the initial resettlement period and further long term.

CWS, USCRI NC, and other local groups accept donations to help fund their programs.

El Centro Hispano

Research

El Centro Hispano is based in Durham, NC. The organization advocates for equity and works to unite and strengthen the Hispanic, Latino, and LatinX community. The organization focuses on expanding education opportunities, encouraging economic development, improving community health, and providing community support for Latinos in the Triangle.

Stay informed to prevent false judgments.

Foreign Born Demographics in NC

1000000

Foreign Born

800000

arolina labor force is an immigrant

794,684 Immigrants make up 8% of the NC’s population

Foreign Born from Latin America

600000 400000 200000 1990

2000

2019

49.4% of foreign born

North Carolinians migrated from Latin America

From 2000 to 2019...

The foreign born population increased by

The Latin American population increased by

105.7% 54.8% 14

credits DESIGNERS

Karissa Teer, Art Director Angelina Katsanis, Assistant Art Director Ella Juengst, Assistant Art Director

SPECIAL THANKS Terence Oliver Sara Katsanis Julio Cesar Flores Ornelas Stephanie Willen Brown Sydney Adams

DESIGNERS Jonathan Flores Bailey Ingham Gabi Allen Phillip Chen Wendy Jin Deja Boone Holly Hutcheson Makayla Williams Coe MacFarlane Izze DeCamillis Jack Sayam

S E C R U O S ABC News American Immigration Council BMC Psychiatry CATO Institute Church World Service (CWS) Durham CNN Department of Homeland Security Detention Watch Network FreedomforImmigrants.org Gastronomica History.com Human Rights Watch LA Times Migration Policy Institute NBC News New York Times

NewsBank Nolo.com NPR Pew Research Center Pittsburgh Post - Gazette ProQuest Science Direct Statistica Student Government Affairs Program The Herald Sun The Hill U. S. Customs and Border Control U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) Vox Media Washington Post World Economic Forum