Immigrant Women & Precarious Work, Rosetta Adera, DM, New Jersey, Refugee from Rwanda
Precarious work is characterized by variable levels and degrees of objective (legal) and subjective (feeling) insecurity and has four dimensions: temporal (low job security), organizational (lack of control over conditions, pay, health & safety, etc.), economic (poor pay, wage robbery), and social (lack of collective voice and legal protection). This type of work is the reality for many refugees and migrants, and the effects are increased poverty and a lack of voice. Women are silenced, left powerless to change their condition due to the threat of losing their job if they speak up. Lack of documentation, which is a barrier to attaining better, stable employment, is particularly a problem for refugees - "When your country goes up in flames, you don't look for papers. You pick up and run."
Psychological Aspects of Adjustments, Cynthia Grguric, PhD, New York
Refugees and migrants go through three stages of resettling. Most psychological treatment is focused on the "pre-, contemplative" stage (are they supported, what pressures are pushing or pulling them) and "during" the period of travel (physical, emotional, and psychological traumas); however, "post stressors" remain prevalent for the first two years and only begin to decrease after five years. The struggle between acculturation and assimilation is relevant as they gain a sense of grounding in their new settings. Economic dependency can cause guilt and pressure from back home, while feelings of loneliness and powerlessness make establishing a sense of belonging incredibly difficult, which can sometimes lead to violence. Particular pressures are put on children, who have to act as interpreters for their parents while trying to fit in at school. Culture is the glue that holds people and communities together - individual perceptions of national identity play an important role in the process. In order for refugees and migrants to successfully adjust, local communities must make the effort to reach out, practice cultural sensitivity, and provide connection and support for newcomers.
Ramifications of Addiction, Jeanette Westbrook, Social Worker, Kentucky
Refugees and migrants are particularly profiled and targeted by the criminal (in)justice system through DUIs, which can be used as grounds to prevent citizenship for five years and remains on record for life. Two DUI offenses are grounds for deportation, however refugees are being deported for just one offense. The main problem is that refugee settlements are doing a poor job of educating refugees about DUI laws. They may not have had DUI laws back home and often lack experience with alcohol. "The lack of access to that education and information is an institutionalized barrier." The pressure to "be American, have a beer" is thus used to criminalize and deport refugees and immigrants.
A Personal Story, Martine Tchitchihe, UPenn, Refugee from Cameroon
After receiving threats from Boko Haram, an extremist terrorist group, Martine came to the United States in October 2014. Luckily, she was told to bring all of her documentation prior to leaving her country, which has made circumstances slightly easier. Immigration websites claim that it takes 45 days to get asylum, however Martine knows women who have waited for 11 years. Moreover, each time a refugee has to retell her story, she is forced to relive it, which has psychological effects, and if she forgets or mistakes one detail of her story, she will not be granted asylum. Martine profusely thanked her friends from Peace Corps Cameroon and UPenn, many of whom where in the audience. She cites them as her support system; they made her refugee journey to the United States possible, and keep her going every day. However, one word remains stuck in her head - "alien," a xenophobic term often used to refer to refugees and migrants. She states, "We are not aliens. We are humans trying to rebuild our lives." Martine, along with the other panelists, extended a call to action for participants to befriend at least one refugee or migrant, act as their mentor and advocate, and promote understanding in their community.
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