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I’M. SICK. TO. MY. STOMACH!
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤢" title="Angewidertes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Angewidertes Gesicht"> Please, please, please check in on your international friends, folks. This news is devastating for many of us, including myself and many of my friends on (or waiting for) H1B visas. Here are some pointers why: /1 https://www.npr.org/2020/06/20/881245867/trump-expected-to-suspend-h-1b-other-visas-until-end-of-year">https://www.npr.org/2020/06/2...
For the past 4 years,I have been keeping a close eye on the Trump administration re: immigration policies. Why?Because the administration is inherently racist, xenophobic & immoral & will instrumentalize national/global crises to drive their anti-immigration/anti-BIPOC agenda./2
Some background info: The H1B visa category is used for temporarily employing foreign workers in speciality occupations. Translation: Workers who have highly specialized knowledge and skills that cannot be easily found in the U.S. work force. /3
Many of my international friends have worked tirelessly to make a case for their H1B visa petitions. In academia, H1B visas often lead to Greencard sponsorship (=PERMANENT residency). For me,it was one of the reasons I worked as hard as I did since moving to the US 8 years ago./4
To think that so many brilliant minds will not be able to use their unique skills & knowledge to better this country is heartbreaking. H1B holders (and green card holders) make this country more diverse and, therefore, better & stronger. /5
Let me be very clear: H1B holders are a cornerstone of the diversity (of thought) needed for academia to fulfill its promise and its purpose. They can enrich the academy in ways that push boundaries, counteract ethnocentrism, decolonize thinking, & reinvent learning. /6
I’m aware the Executive Order seems to exclude scholars and professors (for now). But make no mistake: They’re coming for us. We’re not safe. It’s important to acknowledge the emotional toll this administration has put on international faculty, scholars, & students. /7
Example: Under another Exec Order passed in response to COVID-19, unless you are a US citizen or Greencard holder, you will not be granted entry to the United States. This means U.S. visa holders are either stuck abroad or stuck in the US. This is incredibly stressful. /8
We are advised not to leave the country because we are not sure we’d be allowed back in. Have an emergency back home? Sorry, can’t leave. Homesick? Too bad. There’s privilege in being able to see your family whenever you want to. Because for many of us we don’t know when ... /9
...we will be able to see our family/friends abroad in person again. That is one of the reasons I take a day off social media for days like Fathers Day, because constantly seeing posts of folks hugging their dad reminds me of the uncertainty over when I’ll be able to see mine./10
IMPORTANT: I am aware this Executive Order is not aimed at people like me (=white Europeans). I have immense privilege due to my whiteness. Rather, the order is another way for the Trump administration to strategically prevent people of color from entering the country. /11
So we need to call it what it is: At its core, this Exec Order is yet another expression of xenophobia disguised as a policy to protect U.S. interests. Of course, the notion that H1B visa holders “steal” jobs from Americans is utter bullshit. /12
Take faculty positions as an example: Faculty hires require such specific qualifications (terminal degree, very specific research focus, teaching competencies tied to narrow disciplines, etc.) that many times you can count on one hand folks who qualify for the job. / 13
To think that people who have worked for YEARS to make this country better will not be able build the life they’ve worked for is devastating. Which is why I have ZERO patience left for anyone supporting this racist, xenophobic administration. /14
Reminder: Black visa holders/immigrants & visa holders/immigrants of color will be affected disproportionately by this. So when we talk about #BlackLivesMatter https://abs.twimg.com/hashflags... draggable="false" alt="">, part of the conversation needs to be focused on Black visa holders/immigrants targeted by this EO &administration. /15
Immigrants — and folks coming to the US on visas — make this country better. PERIOD. If you’re staying silent, you’re part of the problem. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✌🏻" title="Siegeshand (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Siegeshand (heller Hautton)">/end.
