Millions have emigrated to the United States for family, for opportunity, or in the pursuit of a better life. Today, there are 40 million immigrants in the United States, of which an estimated 11 million live and work without legal status. Fear of deportation drives many to live in the shadows, making them vulnerable to violations of basic rights protected under U.S. and international law.
On Friday Global Voices aired their online hangout session “Dreams of U.S. Immigration Reform” as part of the NACLA-Global Voices collaboration “Migrant Journeys.” The hangout included activists and experts—including NACLA’s own Alfonso Gonzales—in the movement for immigration reform who discussed what the proposed reform could mean for the daily lives of millions of immigrants.
Activist Marisol Ramos talks to us about the various youth immigrant movements offline and online. Alfonso González author of Reform Without Justice and Editorial Committee member of the North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA) questions whether guest worker programs can solve the deadlock over immigration. Global Voices author Robert Valencia talks about the various times reform seemed within reach but then got sent to the back burner. Global Voices Managing Editor Solana Larsen leads the discussion.
Click here to watch.
