When Did "Immigrant" Become a Dirty Word?

On that fateful day, 9/11/2001, I found myself trapped at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Nigeria. I was returning to NY from the Durban World Conference Against Racism, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and my plane had stopped to refuel in Lagos. The plane took off earlier than scheduled with my luggage, leaving behind two of my friends and myself. While we were running around the airport trying to find another flight back to JFK, someone yelled out that NYC was under attack. The three of us watched in horror as we saw the planes strike the Twin Towers.

Tragically, 9/11 not only marked the death of three of my friends and almost 3,000 others, it also saw the unraveling of some of the most fundamental due process protections in the United States. And now, almost seven years later, fundamental human rights continue to be eviscerated for more and more communities around the country, particularly for immigrants, both legal and undocumented.

Last month, Breakthrough, a non-profit that I currently head, released a videogame called ICED -- I Can End Deportation. The name is a play on Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE), the largest investigative branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The goal of ICED is to create awareness about the lack of due process and human rights in current detention and deportation policies. ICED has created a huge buzz, especially in the blogosphere, and approximately 70,000 individuals have downloaded the game so far.

The attacks from the Right began almost immediately with one particularly vituperative piece in Info Wars that took great exception to an "Indian" woman like myself having the gall to make a videogame about immigration. Then the Minutemen sent out a press advisory signaling their availability to speak against ICED -- with a whole host of made-up information about the game, all untrue. But the icing on the cake was how many media outlets, including several ABC affiliates and CNN, simply took the Minutemen statements and structured their entire story around ICED based on lies and distortions without bothering to look at the press materials from Breakthrough or bothering to check with us.

While I always expected to be attacked by the Right, and am not too surprised by the distortion of information by the mainstream media, I must confess that I am more frustrated about and deeply saddened by the lack of support for due process for immigrants from the progressive community.

While I was at Law School at New York University, I had the privilege of studying constitutional law under one of the greatest civil rights minds, Norman Dorsen, a former President of the ACLU. Obviously, the Bill of Rights featured prominently and despite the historical legacy of slavery and discrimination against women, poor communities, and many others, I developed a profound respect for the fundamental principles of due process that the U.S. legal system was built upon. And so, I am now deeply disturbed by the lack of impunity with which our government has systematically stripped even legal permanent residents of due process rights and basic protections.

If a legal immigrant commits a crime -- even as minor as getting in a fistfight -- the judge is required to automatically deport him, and cannot consider the circumstances of the case. There are NO exceptions for a list of crimes called 'aggravated felonies,' though the list encompasses a range of non-violent crimes that are not felonies for U.S. citizens. What's worse, is that detention and deportation laws can be applied retroactively which means that people are being punished for the same crime twice.

These laws have resulted in some tragic outcomes like the case of Sandra Kenley, a 52-year-old legal permanent resident of 30 years, who was placed in detention in 2005 upon returning from vacation for two prior minor drug convictions dating from 1984 and 2002. She died in custody seven weeks later because of lack of access to medical care. Sixty-two people held on immigration charges have died in detention in the last three years.

Not only is there a lack of support for respecting due process and human rights in detention and deportation policies, but to add insult to injury, any discussion of these issues is immediately framed in an anti-illegal immigrant, anti-amnesty framework. The Right has very effectively created a poisonous and vitriolic public frame around illegal immigrants -- so much so that not only have undocumented people been completely stripped of their humanity or any rights, but the very term "immigrant" has become a dirty word.

The U.S. already has 2.3 million people behind bars. Now that immigrants have become synonymous with criminals, what's a mere 280,000 more in detention at a cost of $1.2 billion? Immigrants in detention include families (both legal and undocumented), asylum seekers and torture survivors -- all incarcerated in "non-criminal" custody because violation of immigration laws is not a crime but a civil violation.

I'm glad that ICED has created a dialogue even with all the attacks and hate mail we've been receiving. I am also very grateful to the progressive bloggers who HAVE come to our defense and countered the hate. I'm hoping that millions will play ICED and become a part of the larger dialogue around the need to create fair immigration policies for legal and undocumented immigrants.

Because, let's remember, when we let the government deny due process and human rights for one group of people, we put all of our freedoms at risk.

Comments

[MJS1771]

The issue is not the status of individuals, the issue is the lack of due process in detention and deportation procedures and how we treat our fellow human beings. Everyone should be treated with respect and dignity, citizen and non-citizen alike, and everyone should have the right to due process, a core American value. Once the government begins to deny due process and human rights for some, all of our freedoms are at risk. We need to restore due process to our immigration system.

[CrissyUSA]

It's important to realize that human rights – such as the right to due process – are not just the privilege of being an American, but they are rights shared by all people.

In this day and age, when people say the word, "immigrant," people seem to think that word means "illegal." Breakthrough is working to show that immigration is a human rights issue and current laws are affecting ALL immigrants, legal and undocumented.

Please watch Breakthrough's videos to see stories of legal immigrants that are being detained and deported: http://www.youtube.com/LetsBreakthrough

Or play ICED www.icedgame.comm) - which is based on real stories, where four out of the five characters are legal and they face detention and deportation.

Thank you,

-Crissy
Breakthrough

[MajorKong]

This pretty much happens every generation: "Boy, it sure is great that my ancestors were able to immigrate here. Now quick! Pull up the ladder so nobody else can!"

[Lemeritus]

I think it's time to concede that "immigrant" has always been a dirty word in America -- ask the Italians, the Irish, and the jews from Eastern Europe. We love to call ourselves a nation of immigrants, but we've resisted every wave and even our car ads insidiously reinforce that "This is our country". The unresolved issue of "illegal" immigration and the fear of terrorism from abroad (as opposed, I suppose, to our own home-grown variety) adds to the issue.

What stands out for me in Ms. Dutt's piece is the issue of "due process" -- in this regard, though not yet as extremely, we are all treated as "immigrants", from TSA strip searches to wiretapping and on to our basic inability to hold our government accountable for violations of our rights under the guise of national security. In times like this, we must give particular attention to the least protected to safeguard

[Lemeritus]

In time like this, we must give particular attention to the least protected to safeguard the freedom from injustice for all.

(Sorry... a little fast on the post button).

[MajorKong]

Take a look at old political cartoons from the 1800s. Often the Irish were not even drawn as human beings but as hulking, apelike creatures.

[not one of the sheep]

Immigrant has never been a dirty word. I think you are referring to ILLEGAL immigrant. Enough excuses. Enforce the laws, not just the ones you like.

[MajorKong]

Since it's just the illegal part that bothers you, I suppose you wouldn't mind increasing the immigration quota so that more Mexicans could come here legally? It'd be OK then because they'd be here legally, right?

< sound of crickets chirping >

[InfinteShibumi]

You're right, the the "illegal" immigrant that's the issue because it tars with the same brush all the other immigrant groups who followed the rules and laws and who are now being looked askance because of 12 million illegal latinos. Please don't tell me you deserve to be here because you are hard working and an asset to the U.S. I know that you are -- but I don't know of any immigrant group that isn't. People are happy to get here and to build new lives for themselves and their families. But based on that criteria, we would have the whole of Asia and Africa within the confines of the USA.

Fact is, every country should have the right to determine who comes into their country, who gets to stay -- and who doesn't. Just like everyone should be able to decide who can enter one's own home and when to tell the guest he has overstayed his welcome.

That aside, I feel preference should be given to Mexicans. I know that part of the US southwest that was stolen from Mexico in an unprovoked war of land acquisition. It is evident in the faces of many Mexicans the common physical characteristics which link the "invisible" Native American to the Indios. Karmically speaking, I believe Mexican immigration is a matter the government should handle in light of its unspeakable past with compassion and fairness -- and in balance with other countries with whom we have immigration obligations.

[not one of the sheep]

Put down the crack pipe there Kongy boy. The only sound of cricket chirping is people trying to make sense of your rambling.

[richsmith]

When Lew Dobbs turned it into a hobby horse to ride and beat into the ground.

[OPINIONATOR]

First let's remember that the USA allows more people to legally immigrate into the USA every year than the rest of the countries of the world do - combined! If you count in the illegal immigrants we are way off the charts----plus - it is common sense that the USA cannot nor should be expected to absorb the world. Thus immigration laws are necessary and should be viewed as such.

I know of no one who is anti-immigrant -- but I do know plenty who are against people sneaking across our borders knowingly thumbing their noses at immigration laws and then expecting the law abiding legal aliens and US citizens to say that's OK.

There are millions of exceptional people - around the world - that would like the opportunity to live in the USA - and they have so much respect for this Country that they go thru our immigration system and wait a long time, if need be, to enter the US LEGALLY - Are they stupid? Or are they the kind of people that we should welcome with open arms? I think the answer is obvious.

To try to "muddy the waters" by using the term immigrant to encompass both illegal and legal immigrants is disingenuous at the least. Fair is fair - and doing something - anything - illegal isn't fair - or admirable.

[Blutus]

The current situation has nothing to do with "due process" and even
less to do with American history.

Unless you speak of the drug cartel's ownership of the border we share
with Mexico and the corruption involved,
then you are not even close to addressing the issue.

The 'illegals' who are 'caught' then have their names checked and their IDs recorded and then
are released, over and over, are not being denied due process.

The American people are.

[wiseapple]

Sorry for the overall national/ constitutional ignorance. Don't feel too bad, I've had to live with it for the last 27 years, and foreign policy ignorance since the fifties! We can only try to improve the education of the young.

[marignymitch]

Lessee. Immigrant first became a dirty word here when English invaders set foot on native American soil in the early 17th century. Things got dirtier with Chinese immigration on the west coast and Irish immigration on the east coast in the mid-19th century. In the 20th century Italian, German, Japanese and Mexicans each took their turn as the dirty immigrants. Who's next? I wonder.

Immigrant has been a dirty word since the first immigrants. It's a national tradition.

[Liberal2]

Actually you and the author have it wrong. The word "immigrant" isn't dirty, the *TERM* "illegal immigrant" is. Every illegal could have, legally, visited a US embassy and applied to enter the US as a legal immigrant. Got a problem with that?

India and China each have a billion desperately poor people. Why don't they simply come here? Even if only 10% came (like Mexico has sent us) that would be 200,000,000 new citizens. Sounds like a plan to me.

If you discovered people in your basement, would it be okay to designate them undocumented residents? GIVE THEM AMNESTY! Waddsa matter, you bigoted against illegal entrants to your house or sumthin?

And for extra credit: Is the US a net exporter or importer of food? Bet neither of you are smart enough to grasp the consequence of the answer to that question.

[BeeOplentee]

You can't legally be an illegal immigrant! Why should we respect foreigners who break our laws by sneaking into our country?

[D2D2]

The word "immigrant" is not a dirty word. Perhaps the word "illegal immigrant" is because it undermines the interests of those who arrive through the legal process.

[cynara]

See, you present this as if there really was a choice. Many "illegal" immigrants were legal immigrants who fell through the cracks of our immense immigration bureaucracy. It doesn't take much to become an illegal immigrant - a missed appointment, a late filing of the upteenth form, or simple bureaucratic mix-up often marks the fine line between a legal and illegal immigrant.

And thats for the people that have the option of being a legal immigrant. Many "illegal" immigrants are people didn't have the option of coming here legally, since without an immediate family member to sponsor you, an advanced college degree and an employer willing to sponsor you, you cannot apply for residency in the United States. Unless, of course, you are from a refugee designated nation like Cuba, where you automatically receive residency when you step on US soil. However, for indigenous people Mexico and Central America, every bit as poverty stricken as lower-class Cubans, but without special designation, this option doesn't exist.

[Rule Of Law]

Sorry to disagree, but we all have choices, and we make them every day. That's called personal responsibility.

[GonzoBum]

...and diaster capitalism keeps rolloing along, thank you bush co!

[cynara]

Here in San Diego, where I live, a private corporation is planning on building a private mega-prison, with a capacity of over 3,000 to hold people with immigration violations:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080320/news_1n20cca1.html

Yup, you and I, the tax payers, are going to be paying a private for-profit corporation to lock up Mexican grandmothers.

[marignymitch]

Are you absolutely sure about the prison's intended use? I'm inclined to think that federal prisons constructed by Bush will become camps for American dissidents this fall after the cancelation of elections and the declaration of marshal law and the invasion of Iran.

[K-Dog76]

marignymitch - first learn how to spell, its martial law. Second, Bush will be out of office before the prison is built, so so much for that idea, as well as the invasion of Iran thing... gimme a break.

cynara... "paying a private for-profit corporation to lock up Mexican grandmothe­rs." I'm sure thats who they will be going after, its not like old ladies are the exception to the rule... Its not like they want to lock up members of Mara Salvatrucha for human trafficking, drugs and hate crimes against blacks... Yeah most are illegal aliens, but that doesn't make immigration a dirty word, not as dirty as say citizen.