Refugees and Citizenship in the New America: California in Public Anthropology

The United States has a long history of welcoming refugees from around the world. In recent years, California has become home to a large and diverse refugee population. According to the California Department of Social Services, there were over 1.1 million refugees living in the state in 2018. This number is expected to grow in the coming years, as the global refugee crisis continues to displace millions of people.

Buddha Is Hiding: Refugees, Citizenship, the New America (California Series in Public Anthropology Book 5)

by Aihwa Ong

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1809 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	352 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Refugees are people who have been forced to flee their home countries due to war, persecution, or natural disaster. They often come to the United States with little more than the clothes on their backs and a few meager possessions. Many refugees have experienced unimaginable trauma and hardship. They have witnessed violence, lost loved ones, and been forced to leave everything they know behind.

Once they arrive in the United States, refugees face a new set of challenges. They must learn a new language, find a job, and navigate a complex and often hostile immigration system. Many refugees also experience discrimination and prejudice.

Despite the challenges they face, refugees are resilient and resourceful. They come to the United States with a strong desire to build a better life for themselves and their families. They are eager to learn, work hard, and contribute to their new communities.

The experiences of refugees in California are emblematic of the broader challenges facing immigrants in the United States today. Refugees are often seen as a drain on resources, but they are actually vital to the state's economy and society. They fill essential jobs in healthcare, education, and other sectors. They also bring new skills and perspectives to their communities. >

The Trump administration's restrictive immigration policies have made it even more difficult for refugees to come to the United States and to become citizens. The administration has slashed the number of refugees admitted to the country, imposed new restrictions on asylum seekers, and made it harder for immigrants to obtain legal status.

These policies have had a devastating impact on refugee communities in California. Many refugees are now living in fear of deportation. They are afraid to leave their homes, access healthcare, or report crimes. Some refugees have even been forced to return to their home countries, where they face danger and persecution.

The Trump administration's policies are not only cruel and inhumane, but they are also counterproductive. They are making it harder for refugees to integrate into American society and contribute to the economy. They are also eroding the United States' reputation as a welcoming country.

The story of refugees in California is a story of resilience and hope. It is also a story of struggle and injustice. The experiences of refugees in the state are a reminder of the challenges facing immigrants in the United States today. They are also a reminder of the importance of fighting for justice and equality for all.

Public Anthropology in Action

Public anthropology is a field of anthropology that seeks to engage the public with anthropological research and insights. Public anthropologists use their knowledge and skills to inform public policy, promote social justice, and foster cross-cultural understanding.

The experiences of refugees in California provide a powerful case study for public anthropology. Public anthropologists can work with refugee communities to document their experiences, advocate for their rights, and challenge the policies that are harming them. They can also work with the general public to educate them about the challenges facing refugees and to promote empathy and understanding.

Public anthropology is a vital tool for making the world a more just and equitable place. By engaging the public with anthropological research and insights, public anthropologists can help to create a more informed and compassionate society.

The experiences of refugees in California are a reminder of the challenges facing immigrants in the United States today. They are also a reminder of the importance of fighting for justice and equality for all. Public anthropology can play a vital role in this fight by engaging the public with anthropological research and insights. By working with refugee communities and the general public, public anthropologists can help to create a more informed and compassionate society.

Buddha Is Hiding: Refugees, Citizenship, the New America (California Series in Public Anthropology Book 5)

by Aihwa Ong

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1809 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	352 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE