During the Migrahack Planning events on April 15 and 16, 2019, we asked attendees to collaborate on a brainstorming project based on the two questions listed below. We received some fabulous responses, which will hopefully help all of us as we start thinking about our goals and projects for the Colorado Migrahack this fall. 

What are the Front Range immigration stories that need to be told, and to/for whom?

  • Community/immigrant-run businesses and the challenges they face
    • Closing because of high import/rent costs
    • Without these businesses, community centers for immigrants are lost as is the opportunity to purchase things from home.
  • Debunk misleading statements/myths about immigration: countering misinformation
  • Asking the immigrant community what they need
  • What’s driving migration within the state
  • Siloed media — credible sources needed
  • Where to procure pro-bono legal services?
  • For journalists, how can we inform on the history of immigration in CO?
  • Refugee aid organizations — hurting under current administration?
  • Urban vs. rural
    • Different resources/community available
  • Story of recent and long-established immigrants
  • Immigration attorneys screened?
  • Where are Coloradoans from?
  • Opportunities to tell your own story: firsthand testimonies of travel and immigration
  • History of migration and immigration
  • Where are immigrants going when they arrive in the US? What resources are available?
  • Refugee vs. immigrant title
  • Gentrification
  • Deportations away from the border — what are the numbers? Where do they happen (school, work, roadside)?
  • Challenge narratives of what it means to be “American” — bring in History of US
  • How are folks migrating accessing and sharing info?
  • African immigrants — often left out of the picture
  • Where were they from? Where deported to? Most/least deported?
  • Create Interactive Map to show migrant stories & implications of laws
  • How are people finding attorneys?
  • Stories of those experiencing the effects of our approach to immigration, hearing those unheard
  • Indigenous peoples (history & experiences)
  • Gang violence
  • Local stories
  • People who can’t go home
  • People with expired visas
  • Crossing the border historically versus today.
  • Family separation
  • Resources that do exist in Denver
  • Providing a relatable comparison w/ film and art to force the viewer to put themselves in others’ shoes — teaching empathy
  • How immigration affects business/economy
  • Story-telling in schools
  • Hearing from detainees directly
  • Revisiting the history of America as an immigrant nation
  • Reflecting on how we got here and who we displaced
  • Difficulties of being undocumented
  • Stories about why people are coming
  • How people’s lives change after they’re incorporated into the US
  • Local artists with relevance to the issue, migrant artists
  • Expanding the immigrant narrative — de-racialize it
  • How hard is it to find information as an undocumented person
  • Talking to border patrol agents and getting their perspectives
  • Deportation centers and process
  • Mapping back to native countries and following their stories
  • Legal system
    • Minors
    • DACA differences
    • Process
    • Knowing rights
  • ACLU involvement — success stories
  • Mistreatment of detained migrants in CO
  • Asylum stories — what conflict?
  • Schools — their treatment and opportunities given
  • Follow a separated family
  • Forums for discussion and clubs to tell stories
  • Humanize stories of folks migrating?
    • Individual stories
    • Histories
    • Info about native country
  • Help show that many of us in CO are migrants and/or know family, friends, or loved ones who have immigrated
  • Investigating detention
    • Look at human rights abuses at detention center
    • Utilize photo journalism
    • Quotes from human rights group
  • Why do people choose Colorado instead of other places?
  • Who is able to make the journey to Colorado?
  • What are stories of diverse immigrants (e.g. different genders, ages, single & family units)

What are the systems of information for new migrants to the Front Range, and where are the gaps?

  • Migrants don’t know if resources are credible and trustworthy sources — through text & internet messages
  • DPS Program for Community Engagement
  • English speakers have access to media MIS
  • Lack of interpretation for indigenous language
  • Informed networks
  • Community groups — trusted
  • Where to find lawyer in English
  • Churches
  • Needs for non-Spanish speaking migrants
  • School system need for bilingual communication
  • Reaching migrants with texts and whatsapp
  • Talk shows and small newspapers (small circulation)
  • Legal agencies
  • Promotoras
  • Refugee agencies and services
  • Translation services — call center
  • Spanish language media providing news
  • There is not a central location
  • Detention centers: where held? Next steps?
  • Housing, schooling, jobs, recreation, community, friends, safety, travel, transportation questions for recent migrants
  • Culture & language translators (culture competency)
  • Their legal rights
  • Lack of knowledge for those here on the history
  • Healthcare resources & costs — getting medical care
  • Nationality & identity
  • Understanding immigration policy and processes
  • Getting resources to teachers & social workers to assist undocumented
  • Sanctuary cities — getting info to immigrants
  • Knowing your rights!
  • Making Spanish speaking people knowing where English learning centers are
  • Emergency resources
  • Applying for financial aid
  • Easy access to ESL school
  • Job finding help
  • ESL in schools
  • Public libraries
  • Educational seminars
  • Info centers
  • Resource distribution process
  • Radio (info & jobs)
  • Info boards (public places)
  • Lack of funding for data
  • Newspaper ads
  • Finding a community
  • Problems:
    • Language
    • Funding
    • Resources (clothes, food)
    • Shelter
    • Lawyers/Legal issues
  • Easy access website
  • Educational opportunities
  • Limited job searches because of legal status
  • Access to internet and tv (limited)
  • Social media
  • App (easy to use)
  • Bilingual/AI language kiosk to help with language and moving forward
  • Public library English class
  • Census data
Advertisement