UPDATE: A critical discussion on the origins of deportation and its contemporary implications is set for this Saturday at Bread and Salt in San Diego. Renowned filmmaker and professor Alex Rivera will join historian Kelly Lytle Hernandez to explore how historical deportation practices shape modern immigration policies.
This urgent event comes as the United States faces intensified immigration enforcement. Recent reports confirm that ICE raids have surged, marking a troubling chapter in the country’s immigration narrative, particularly under the policies of the Trump administration. The event aims to shed light on the historical context of deportation amidst this escalating crisis.
Professor Hernandez, a 2019 MacArthur Genius Fellow and author of several influential works, highlighted the ongoing impact of these policies during a recent interview. “We are in a crisis moment,” she stated, noting that many community members are currently targeted for detention and removal. She emphasized the importance of understanding past struggles for immigrant rights to confront today’s challenges.
The discussion will delve into significant historical milestones, including the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, which marked the first race-based deportation law in the U.S. In her research, Hernandez detailed how immigrant rights activists, like Fong Ting, challenged such oppressive laws. This early activism laid the groundwork for the legal framework governing modern immigration.
Rivera, a 2021 MacArthur fellow, echoed Hernandez’s sentiments about the current political landscape, describing it as fraught with “extraordinary, spectacular violence.” He noted that even those opposed to aggressive immigration tactics often call for closed borders, revealing a troubling shift in rhetoric within the political discourse surrounding immigration.
The event aims to foster a deeper understanding of deportation as a systemic issue tied to broader themes of racism and xenophobia that have persisted throughout U.S. history. “This weekend, we’ll flip the narrative and examine deportation itself as an invasion into our culture,” Rivera explained.
With the event just days away, attendees can expect to engage in a critical examination of how historical narratives influence current immigration policies. As immigration enforcement continues to intensify, the conversation becomes increasingly relevant.
As the date approaches, the urgency of this discussion signals a need for collective reflection and action against the backdrop of ongoing deportation practices. Join the conversation to explore the roots of deportation and envision a more equitable future for all.
