Migration is a part of human experience. From righteous beginnings in the Kenyan Rift Valley, to expeditions across land and sea, humans have historically wandered. The reasons behind such migrations vary–resources, curiosity, power, war, and more. People migrate to improve their lives, to save their lives, or simply due to intrigue and curiosity. The United States is one such country built on migration. So why has our country become so averse to migrant populations, when nearly all of us, save for Indigenous civilizations, have migration to thank for their lives today? Well, much of this aversion comes from misinformation, misunderstanding, and negative stereotypes promoted without basis in reality.
What many are unaware of is that their ancestors arrived in North America seeking asylum. Unknown by many, asylum seekers are NOT refugees, and rather, asylum is a type of immigration as old, if not older than, the United States itself. In the United States, a person can claim asylum should they fear persecution and/or harm in their home country, and if approved, are set on a path to US citizenship. Furthermore, unlike a refugee, people can pursue asylum from within or at US borders. Many of the original asylum seekers sought relief from religious persecution, while today, the reasons many come to the United States relate to political and economic persecution. An important distinction between asylum seekers and refugees is where a person seeks help. If a person is within the US or at a port of entry, they are permitted to seek asylum, whereas refugee status must be pursued at a US embassy outside of the country.
In the past, Project Humanities has hosted events pertaining to refugee experiences, both by analyzing policies, screening documentaries, and holding community discussions. Check out a clip from a previous event here! However, as mentioned, not every person who migrates to the US due to political, economic, or social persecution is a refugee. Asylees are integral to the American story as well, and we at Project Humanities are dedicated to talking, listening, and connecting with new stories, information, and perspectives.
So, why is this information important? Well, over the past few years, the rights of asylum seekers have been under constant attack. A prominent example of this is the Trump-era Migrant Protection Protocols, commonly referred to the “Remain in Mexico” program, where instead of residing in the United States with the rights and services afforded to asylum seekers, individuals and families were forced to reside outside of US protection–a direct violation of asylum rights framework decades old (Justice for Immigrants, 2021). With continued polarization and misinformation spread about migrants and immigration, it is imperative that our populace stay informed.
Furthermore, pursuing asylum can effectively halt deportation proceedings, help individuals obtain work visas, and keep families together. Many people are unaware that asylum is an option for themselves, their families, or their community members. There are two types of asylum available. One of which is affirmative, which is pursued at ports of entry, where one can claim defensive asylum if questioned by US authorities inside the country. In either case, asylum seekers have the right to a court hearing. There are some exceptions to this, but that is why it is important to stay informed on the rights of asylum seekers and advocate for this historically underserved population.
If you would like more information, check out these resources!