PSA - Unaccompanied Minors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbN5BlibErI&list=UUwx7un7Iw47sxR8A3c3ClJQ


Please click on the link above to view our PSA on the influx of unaccompanied minors crossing borders into the United States.

Thank you!
Carmen, Melissa and Jennie

Group Advocacy Project - Unaccompanied Minors (Melissa Stelljes, Jennie Ruggiero & Carmen Betancourt)

There has been a recent surge of unaccompanied minors arriving in the United States. This fiscal year, as of June 15, approximately 52,000 unaccompanied children have been apprehended along the Southwest border. That’s double the 26,000 figure from the same time period in fiscal year 2013.

We have a current law known as the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 which allows for the expedited deportation of most child migrants from Mexico and Canada when they are apprehended at the border. But there is a complex resettlement process for other children and the William Wilberforce law only pertains to unaccompanied minors that come from countries that border the U.S. Most of the influx of undocumented, unaccompanied minors are from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.
The Department of Human & Health Services takes custody and provides care for unaccompanied foreign children who illegally enter the United States from countries that do not border the United States. These children from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras are first held at Border Patrol facilities for a maximum of 72 hours for screening. After that, the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) must hand them over to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) for placement under its Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) program. Options may include foster care, living with a relative in the United States (if available), or deportation back to the child’s home country. The concern lies in the what the children may endure and encounter during their migration – they are frequently trafficked, robbed, sexually assaulted and exploited by smugglers, traffickers, gangs, cartels and even government authorities. Another concern lies in the statement made by Attorney General Eric Holder who recently said that many children “are fleeing violence, persecution, abuse and trafficking” particularly in regard to the violence taking place in Central America. Are the current policies taking all of these factors into consideration? Are the human rights of the children who are traveling into the U.S. being upheld at all costs?

Here are some recent links to news on unaccompanied minors:

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/09/white-house-unaccompanied-minor-crisis-all-but-over/
http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/dramatic-surge-arrival-unaccompanied-children-has-deep-roots-and-no-simple-solutions

http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/dramatic-surge-arrival-unaccompanied-children-has-deep-roots-and-no-simple-solutions

Policy Brief Topic - Women's Health (Post Partum Depression)

I chose to focus on women's health and in particular, post partum depression. I think this topic is extremely important for a number of reasons. First, it's imperative that we look at the presence or lack of knowledge that exists among women of all cultures and walks of life regarding post partum depression, its symptoms and the risks involved. Second, I believe it is necessary to look at the programs and early interventions that are available for women, to ensure they exist first and foremost, and to also ensure that they are accessible for all.

I also chose this topic because it doesn't just affect mothers. It affects their children, their families and society as a whole. This topic influences the overall perception of mental illness, the stigma attached to it, and the ways in which we respond to instances of post partum depression - within families and within the community, both for the short-term and long-term.

Melissa

Critical Thinking/Reflection - Women's Right To Equal Pay

I chose to discuss the topic of women's rights, specifically in relation to equal pay for women. The decision not to pass an equal pay bill in April is an example of human rights being omitted for women through policy. This research was really jarring for me to see. Its common knowledge that women are paid less than men for the same job however I was unaware that a bill to ensure equal pay - something so obviously against the right to equality between men and women - was so blatantly shot down. The reasons given to not pass this act are even more jarring, and overall paint a very sad picture. The Paycheck Fairness Act would have closed the gap that finds women making 77 cents for every dollar men earn. The bill would also have "made it illegal for employers to retaliate against workers who inquire about or disclose their wages or the wages of other employees in a complaint or investigation. It also would make employers subject to civil actions by employees who feel aggrieved. As part of the bill, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission would be required to collect pay information from employers." (Washington Post). 

How is this not already status quo? How is it possible that this is actually happening? The most ridiculous part of the whole story is the following: "Republicans have said that, although they support equal pay for equal work, the bill would increase civil lawsuits. They also say that the bill is unnecessary because discrimination based on gender is already illegal." The whole thing makes no sense to me and is a violation of women's human rights. If the bill is rejected and "unnecessary" because discrimination based on gender is already illegal how is it a reality that unequal pay between men and women already exists?? I have to be honest - this is why politics, policy and government in general are confusing and overwhelming to me. There's no clear cut answer. Are there even actual human rights if they aren't being enforced for all?

Sources:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-republicans-reject-equal-pay-bill/2014/04/09/ce011342-c003-11e3-b574-f8748871856a_story.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/10/us/politics/senate-republicans-block-bill-on-equal-pay.html?_r=0