Roberta Villalon's Blog
July 29, 2010
Anti-Immigration Sentiment and Violence Against Immigrants
As anti-immigration laws are enacted, like Arizona's infamous SB1070, anti-immigration sentiment is on the rise. In such a detrimental context, immigrants become more vulnerable to abuse. Immigrants are targets of violent offenses and crimes, and in an environment filled with fear, they are also prone to remain quiet (even if they have the right to be treated fairly and get protection).
It is no news that immigrants are systematically exploited, particularly if they do not have immigration documentation. A context like the present one, together with economic pressures, put undocumented immigrants at a higher risk for abuse.
This is true for immigrants who are caught in violent intimate relationships. Because of their immigration status and cultural differences,among other factors, immigrants are always in a more delicate position when it comes to domestic violence. Their vulnerability has been heightened by the economic downturn as well as the rising anti-immigration sentiment. In this context, less women who are survivors of intimate partner violence are able to leave their abusive relationship because of reduced economic possibilities and increased fear of being deported and sent back to their home countries. Advocates of immigrant survivors have been vocal about this crisis and are trying to raise awareness on its various ramifications.
Violence against immigrants have been rampant - from intimate partner violence to hate crimes. We ought to raise our voices and say STOP. We need to put an end to anti-immigration laws. We need to put an end to violence.
It is no news that immigrants are systematically exploited, particularly if they do not have immigration documentation. A context like the present one, together with economic pressures, put undocumented immigrants at a higher risk for abuse.
This is true for immigrants who are caught in violent intimate relationships. Because of their immigration status and cultural differences,among other factors, immigrants are always in a more delicate position when it comes to domestic violence. Their vulnerability has been heightened by the economic downturn as well as the rising anti-immigration sentiment. In this context, less women who are survivors of intimate partner violence are able to leave their abusive relationship because of reduced economic possibilities and increased fear of being deported and sent back to their home countries. Advocates of immigrant survivors have been vocal about this crisis and are trying to raise awareness on its various ramifications.
Violence against immigrants have been rampant - from intimate partner violence to hate crimes. We ought to raise our voices and say STOP. We need to put an end to anti-immigration laws. We need to put an end to violence.
The Struggle Against Arizona's Anti-Immigration Crusade
As much as it is good news that a federal judge was able to block the worst of Arizona's anti-immigration law, it is important that all who have been active about this issue continue with their struggle. We also need more people committed to this campaign.
As much as many still believe that the United States has been the land of opportunity, it is imperative to recognize that the United States simultaneously has been the land of inequality.
The long-standing history of selective immigration and citizenship laws and practices has to come to an end. If we want justice for all, if we want human rights to be the highest rights to be respected, we have to reform comprehensively immigration laws.
But, the political, economic and social context are not necessarily conducive to such reform.
There is a high risk that immigration reform does not happen (which would mean, among many other things, that thousands of people die in the border, that millions of people live in fear and are easily exploited on a daily basis in the U.S. and that this country continues to "borrar con la izquierda lo que se escribio con la derecha" - that is to contradict itself since one the one hand, the U.S. promotes itself as the global warrior of justice while in reality, both domestically and internationally, the U.S. enacts policies that are intrinsically unjust).
It is time for all to take a stand for justice.
All immigrants are humans - all have human rights - all deserve justice.
As much as many still believe that the United States has been the land of opportunity, it is imperative to recognize that the United States simultaneously has been the land of inequality.
The long-standing history of selective immigration and citizenship laws and practices has to come to an end. If we want justice for all, if we want human rights to be the highest rights to be respected, we have to reform comprehensively immigration laws.
But, the political, economic and social context are not necessarily conducive to such reform.
There is a high risk that immigration reform does not happen (which would mean, among many other things, that thousands of people die in the border, that millions of people live in fear and are easily exploited on a daily basis in the U.S. and that this country continues to "borrar con la izquierda lo que se escribio con la derecha" - that is to contradict itself since one the one hand, the U.S. promotes itself as the global warrior of justice while in reality, both domestically and internationally, the U.S. enacts policies that are intrinsically unjust).
It is time for all to take a stand for justice.
All immigrants are humans - all have human rights - all deserve justice.
July 19, 2010
Sadness, Truth, and Hope
Dear Readers,
As I developed the research for and worked on my book, many times I felt the sadness and pain of intimate partner violence as well as the inequalities of our society. However, the more I got involved in the community and the more I share my book with others, I realize of how important it is to keep our hope - hope based on the constant and continuing struggle of survivors of violence, advocates, and the many others engaged in the struggle to end violence against immigrant women.
I was recently speaking about my research in Sweden, where I found an interested and committed audience. I will be soon speaking in Atlanta, Toronto, Connecticut and Dallas, with the confidence that the more people know, the more chances we have to put an end to violence.
Roberta
As I developed the research for and worked on my book, many times I felt the sadness and pain of intimate partner violence as well as the inequalities of our society. However, the more I got involved in the community and the more I share my book with others, I realize of how important it is to keep our hope - hope based on the constant and continuing struggle of survivors of violence, advocates, and the many others engaged in the struggle to end violence against immigrant women.
I was recently speaking about my research in Sweden, where I found an interested and committed audience. I will be soon speaking in Atlanta, Toronto, Connecticut and Dallas, with the confidence that the more people know, the more chances we have to put an end to violence.
Roberta
