Community Apprenticeship Program: Immigrant Advocacy
Presentation Type
Critical Analysis
Release Option
Event
Description
.
Abstract
Through the Spanish Department, I was provided the opportunity to serve as a Community Apprentice for Migrant Equity South East (MESE). MESE is a Latinx and immigrant-led nonprofit organization that advocates for immigrant rights and engages in mutual aid, education and outreach with the migrant and refugee communities of South Georgia. My experience with MESE speaks to this reality. Each week, I researched different areas of immigrants’ rights and experiences related to rent assistance, housing, ICE encounters, medicare, and the atrocities occurring in several ICE detention centers in the state of Georgia. This research, along with my Spanish skills, were put into practice through the crafting of brochures regarding tenant rights in the state of Georgia, the launching of a campaign to shutdown the Folkston ICE Processing Center—which has experienced little pushback on its recent approval for expansion despite confirmed human rights abuses—, and the creation of guides to inform clients about how to apply for medicaid and how to re-apply for medicaid. Advocacy for the social and political representation of migrants and refugees remains important as immigration numbers rise in the U.S.. Overall, my time with MESE has been a deeply rewarding and insightful experience.
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Grant Gearhart
Department of Primary Presenter's Major
Department of Foreign Languages
Location
Room 1015
Symposium Year
2023
Community Apprenticeship Program: Immigrant Advocacy
Room 1015
Through the Spanish Department, I was provided the opportunity to serve as a Community Apprentice for Migrant Equity South East (MESE). MESE is a Latinx and immigrant-led nonprofit organization that advocates for immigrant rights and engages in mutual aid, education and outreach with the migrant and refugee communities of South Georgia. My experience with MESE speaks to this reality. Each week, I researched different areas of immigrants’ rights and experiences related to rent assistance, housing, ICE encounters, medicare, and the atrocities occurring in several ICE detention centers in the state of Georgia. This research, along with my Spanish skills, were put into practice through the crafting of brochures regarding tenant rights in the state of Georgia, the launching of a campaign to shutdown the Folkston ICE Processing Center—which has experienced little pushback on its recent approval for expansion despite confirmed human rights abuses—, and the creation of guides to inform clients about how to apply for medicaid and how to re-apply for medicaid. Advocacy for the social and political representation of migrants and refugees remains important as immigration numbers rise in the U.S.. Overall, my time with MESE has been a deeply rewarding and insightful experience.
