Immigration/Labor Rights
David Bacon on Migration and Globalization
Written by barb howe Thursday, 11 September 2008 12:12
Award-winning author and photojournalist David Bacon spoke here in D.C. last night at the AFL-CIO about his new book Illegal People: How globalization creates migration and criminalizes immigrants.Mr. Bacon emphasized the need to frame the immigration debate in this country within its larger context, to understand the reason why people are forced to migrate (both within and across borders) and why both U.S. and immigrant workers are victims of the globalization of neoliberal economic policies.
Such policies have spelled economic disaster for poor people in impoverished countries who are then forced to migrate in order to survive and, though they are often welcomed by employers here seeking workers, they then are criminalized by our government when they get here.
He also spoke about how much immigration is an integral part of the history of this country and the different ways we've had in the past of thinking about those who migrate. The government's new enthusiasm for guestworker programs, under which people are brought in as temporary workers without a true immigration status, is particularly troubling.
When an audience member asked about current legislative campaigns underway regarding guestworker programs, Mr. Bacon asked Bruce Goldstein, our Executive Director, to give an update about what's going on with the H-2A program. Mr. Bacon's book addresses guestworker programs also and quotes Bruce and other worker advocates about them.
If you missed Mr. Bacon you might catch him soon if your city is listed on his book tour OR tune in to C-Span this Saturday. BookTV recorded the talk.
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