Stories of Migration
Migration in Russian Media: Representation Strategies
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Kseniia Semykina
Migration became an important issue in Russia only after the USSR dissolution. The authorities still struggle to implement a comprehensive migration policy, while public opinion stays strongly anti-immigrant. Thus, elites create various messages in the public realm, and public opinion is more one-sided. The question of representations which the media constructs becomes important in understanding what meanings circulate in society and influence people's perceptions. Framing theory is used to analyze media discourse on migration in Russia. It is based on the idea that media messages are formed by interest groups using frames, structures which highlight certain aspects of the described event to present the reader with a certain interpretation of it. The existing literature on migration framing suggests that rge most common are criminality, economic, cultural, human rights, and human interest frames. Usage of these frames is compared in six federal newspapers, with an emphasis on differences in mass or business audience orientation, and in newspapers with traditionally critical or non-critical stance towards government policies.
Immigration Enforcement Policies and Family Separation at the United States-Mexico Border: What Is Next?
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Sophie S. Alves
This is a theoretical paper that presents the different immigration enforcement policies that have been implemented in contemporary United States and their consequences on Latin American immigrants and their families. Based on the information I have found online though resources such as The Pew Hispanic Center, I will answer the following question: how do immigration enforcement policies and family separation impact the United States and all its inhabitants? Indeed, family separations impact children’s well-being as well as their schooling; family members experience emotional trauma as well as economic hardship, and so on. However, immigrants are not the only ones impacted. The overall U.S. population suffers the consequences of such policies. This is manifested through active resistance coming from different organizations in the Tucson community, in Arizona, such as Derechos Humanos, Mariposas Sin Fronteras, or No More Deaths, to name a few. The actions go from providing immigrant families with safe spaces to direct action and civil disobedience. I will thus examine some of the ways individuals have shown their solidarity to immigrants and their families through “transgressive actions.” This work is all the more important now that the new U.S. president is trying to implement new immigration policies and reinforce the “Latino Threat Narrative” according to which Latin American immigrants are the downfall of the nation. Considering that many European governments look up to the United States in terms of national security measures, this paper and the conversation that can issue from that are essential.
Migration Trauma: An Escape from Trauma Only to Encounter It Again
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Rebecca Rojas, Patricia Gonzalez
The movement of people globally has not been this great since the end of WWII and often it is traumatic experiences in their country of origin that prompts individuals and families to migrate in search of a better life. These traumatic experiences in their country of origin can include war, violence, famine, family violence, and lack of natural resources. Migrant stories do not all have happy endings. Leaving one's country of origin always is accompanied by a sense of loss. In addition to this grieving for what was familiar, the experiences of the journey and experiences within host countries can also be traumatic experiences. This paper will introduce information on what is known currently about migration trauma and the stressors of acculturation. The paper will also include clinical case examples that document how migration trauma affect the mental health functioning of individuals and families.
New Home, New Strategy: Changing Gender Roles Among Displaced Families in Post-conflict Villages in Poso Regency, Indonesia.
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ekawati Sri Wahyuni
Indonesia is a multiethnic country. Different interests of each ethnic group often produces tensions and social conflict. One of massive social conflicts occurred in Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi Province. The social conflict was claimed as a religious conflict, although a political contestation also contributed. An uneasy relationship between Muslim and Christians had already been forming since 1992 and it exploded into a social conflict in 1998 and 2000. It pushed people of both religions to flee Poso for safety. When peace eventually returned to Poso, some villagers refused to return to their previous villages because of the trauma they had experienced. They preferred to build a new life in other villages. Typical in post-conflict areas, women of displaced communities in Poso have had to work harder to meet their basic needs compared to the situation before the conflict. In the new village, land ownership is limited and the displaced families depend more on non-agricultural work performed by women than on agriculture. Displaced families commonly abandon or sell their agricultural land in the previous village but are rarely able to buy land in their new village. This research uses a mixed-method approach in an IDP village with 80 participants. The data collection methods include structured interviews, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. Results of the increasing role of women to support the economy as a change of tradition among the indigenous ethnic group in Poso is discussed.
