Heinz Ethics--PolyGlobal Event

On January 30th, PolyGlobal hosted a panel of three speakers to discuss immigration: Professor Reisz, Mr. De Los Santos, and Professor Berestein Rojas. I feel incredibly fortunate to have attended the event where I had the opportunity to hear about immigration, policy, and perspectives. Although I found it extremely useful to read a few preliminary articles to gain context on the topic, I found it remarkable how much I learned from the speakers compared to the articles.

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), a policy enacted under President Obama, has been a lifeline for many immigrants like Mr. De Los Santos. This program has protected them from deportation and granted work permits, fundamentally altering their lives in America. However, as Professor Reisz highlighted, the program's future remains uncertain due to Trump's efforts to dismantle the program. The panelists discussed DACA's origins and provisional nature, emphasizing that it was never meant to be a permanent solution but a temporary reprieve. DACA's stringent age requirements have excluded pioneers who fought for DACA's inception, highlighting the policy's limitations and the fight for a more inclusive approach.

Shifting focus to recent challenges, the panel addressed Trump's contentious position on the 14th amendment, particularly his argument against birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. The amendment grants citizenship to all those born or naturalized on US soil, however Trump has claimed that this amendment should not apply to those whose parents are undocumented. Trump's attempts to alter birthright citizenship via executive orders were criticized for potentially violating the 14th Amendment and the Administrative Procedures Act, which prohibits "arbitrary and capricious" actions by the government.

I appreciated how Mr. De Los Santos shared very personal stories including how isolating it felt to be the only one of his friends without proper citizenship. He recalled that he didn't have a drivers license, a passport, or a social security number. Therefore, while his friends were driving, taking trips around the world, and working for money, he had to stay home and volunteer his hours. It was particularly touching and impactful to hear about how these restrictions shaped his daily life and his sense of belonging. He also shared how much he struggled with mental health before DACA and how DACA significantly improved it---just one way of how DACA benefits immigrants such as himself. It was also touching to hear that after receiving DACA, he was able to return to Mexico and visit his grandma---someone he hasn't seen since he left Mexico as a little boy.

DACA recipients, also known as "Dreamers," are generally restricted in their ability to travel outside the United States. However, they may apply for permission to leave and return to the U.S. through a process known as "Advance Parole." Advance Parole allows DACA recipients to travel abroad for specific reasons, such as humanitarian, educational, or employment purposes.However, it was disheartening was Professor Reisz suggested that at a time like now, DACA recipients should not risk leaving the country in case they are not able to return. She stated that it's hard for Trump to force people out of the country, but much easier for him to restrict them from reentering.

I appreciated the balance of speakers that provided a more comprehensive discussion. Professor Reisz was impressively knowledgable about immigration and I particularly enjoyed her suggestions for what to do when ICE approaches your door and the legal rights individuals have in such encounters. Her insights into navigating these situations were not only informative but also empowering, equipping attendees with the knowledge to handle such challenging scenarios confidently. Mr. De Los Santo's narrative brought a humanity-based perspective to the panel, sharing his personal struggles and triumphs as a DACA recipient.